University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Women's Basketball Holds First Official Practice of 2015-16
10/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss women's basketball team officially started its 2015-16 season on Monday with its first team practice Monday morning 7:30 a.m. in Reed Green Coliseum.
According the Coach Joye Lee-McNelis, who is entering her 12th season at the helm of the program, emphasis for the first practice was placed on communications and effort. The team also included drills that concentrated on defensive intensity, including full and half court while working with multiple items in the three hour session.
"We came into practice today understanding as a staff there would be a lot of teaching with so many new players," said McNelis. "The two things we said we expected and would take nothing less were communication and effort along with the willingness to compete. From the time that we were in here, our communication was like a rollercoaster. It was up and down. I think the most consistent guard player of the day was Brittanny Dinkins. Jayla King was the player of the day for the post. We were able to see a lot of positives in that respect."
The Lady Eagles return just five letterwinners including one starter from last year's team that finished with a 25-11 record and advancing to the quarterfinals of the WNIT. Southern Miss added six newcomers in the form of four junior college transfers and two freshmen. Also joining the team will be a pair of players who sat out last season.
Practices for the Lady Eagles are scheduled at 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. on Saturday as the team continues preparation for the 2015-16 season-opener against Alabama State on Nov. 13 in the Preseason WNIT at 11 a.m. for Education Day. Southern Miss will host West Alabama in an exhibition game on Nov. 7 at 4 p.m.
For the latest information on Louisville women's basketball, log on to SouthernMIss.com or, for up-to-the-minute updates, follow the team's Twitter account at www.twitter.com/SouthernMissWBB or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Southern Miss Lady Eagle Basketball.
