And That's a Wrap!

I feel a little like a fish out of water.
For the first time since last November, there is no women's basketball game broadcast for which to prepare.
I can only imagine how the Lady Demons players and coaching staff feels.
The 2009-10 season came to an end last Thursday afternoon in the semi-finals of the State Farm Southland Conference Tournament in Katy, Texas. 48 hours after a thrilling dismantling of division-rival Stephen F. Austin in the quarter-finals, NSU came up short against Texas A&M Corpus-Christi, which fell to Lamar in the finals.
Three seniors, Lyndzee Greene, Sherion Thomas and Anna Cate Williams, played their final college game. Good players, and even better people.
Now, it's time to look ahead to next season, and there is reason to be excited, even though next November seems like a long way off. Trudy Armstead, who had an outstanding freshman season, will be a year older. Armstead is conference Player of the Year material, and is looking at a very bright future. She will get help inside from Jasmine Upchurch, who despite limited playing time as a freshman, showed her potential when being forced into a big role, after Armstead got in early foul trouble against TAMU-CC.
Kottia White, who missed the season because of injury, will be healthy. Head Coach Jennifer Graf is really high on White, who was cleared to practice the final few weeks of the season. From the guard position, White can penetrate and score, draw contact, or pass.
Players expected to return who have lots of experience include Brittiany Houston, Jessica McPhail and Brooke Sheppard. Meredith Graf showed she can bury the three, and hustles every second she is on the floor.
Laneisha Jennie will be a sophomore, and will be joined by some incoming freshmen, as Coach Graf and her staff are out on the recruiting trail.
A heartfelt thanks to Athletics Director Greg Burke and Sports Information Director Doug Ireland for once again allowing me the privilege to work as the radio Voice of the Lady Demons. My thanks to Matt Bonnette for his behind the scenes help all year, as well as his efforts as the color analyst on road broadcasts (not to mention filling in for me while I had to miss three games). And my thanks to Coach Graf, her staff and players, for all of their help and hospitality.
The 2009-10 season is over, but I am already looking forward to next season. And I hope you are too!

Tony Taglavore
Voice of the Lady Demons