Lady Bulldogs feature lots of newcomers for 2016-17

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast women's basketball coach Jason Conner has a bunch of newcomers on his 2016-17 squad, but he's expecting good things from the group.

"I think we're going to be better overall offensively," he said. "I think we're going to have more athletic pieces. We've got good size. We're better."

Gulf Coast opens the season Friday in the Baton Rouge Lady Bears Classic. The Lady Bulldogs play No. 7 Chipola in the first game, then host Baton Rouge on Saturday.

There are three players back from the 11-12 squad of last season. Shaniqua Tobias (5-6, So, Warren Easton/Warren Easton) averaged 3.5 points and 2.1 assists per game last year for the Lady Bulldogs.

"Quell is a combo guard who can shoot it," Conner said. "I'm looking for leadership out of all three young leaders."

Calhoun is a wing player, and Williams returns at the point.

"She has just been solid day in and day out," he said. "She sets the tone every day. I'm thankful for her and her attitude and efforts."

Deona Morgan (5-7, Fr, St. Martin/St. Martin) is a transfer point guard who redshirted at Tallahassee last year. She averaged 11.86 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.6 steals as a senior in high school.

"She has a world of ability and a big heart," Conner said. "She's got to be more and more consistent, and she's doing that."

J'nitra Ratliff (5-8, Fr, Port Gibson/Port Gibson) averaged 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists in high school before sitting out last year with an injury here at Perkinston.

Inside, the Lady Bulldogs will be looking at newcomer Keiara Williams (6-1, Fr, Warren Easton/Warren Easton) for offensive punch.

"Keiara Williams around the bucket is offensively very good," Conner said. "Consistency from our freshmen is going to be important, learning how we go about things."

Other freshmen expected to contribute are guard Jordana Jolley (5-7, Fr, Northwest Rankin/Northwest Rankin) and forward Eanna Sims (5-11, Fr, Forest Hill/Forest Hill).

Conner has a new assistant this year, as well. Hope Adams comes to Gulf Coast after having been an assistant at Oxford for two seasons. The Lady Chargers went 47-13 and were region champs in 2015 and advanced to the state quarterfinals in 2016.

She was an All-MACJC and All-Region 23 player at Northwest Mississippi.

"She's a great inspiration to the kids," Conner said. "They see what a successful mother can be. She's improved our strength program as a certified conditioning coach."

Conner and Adams are gearing up for what should be a fun season. There figure to be more points scored, and the coaching staff is drilling the team on the defensive end to make sure they meet expectations there.

"Our schedule is going to be demanding," Conner said. "It's a very, very competitive schedule and the league is good. We're looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. We're looking forward to seeing them get better as the season goes along."

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