Nov. 7, 2007

The time is now! These are the words of head women's basketball coach DeAnn Craft.

The Lady Broncs begin a new season with endless opportunities at their feet. UTPA will host 16 home games in the confines of the UTPA Fieldhouse which includes the Third annual Battle at the Border Tournament that features a wide diversity of teams in St. Louis University, Lamar University and Lafayette College.

"We have a great home schedule this year. Our program has been successful at home in past seasons and this year our goal is to turn it into a home court advantage and make a defining statement," said Craft.

The Lady Broncs or as Craft refers to them as THE CHOSEN ONES return a experienced group of seniors in LeKeisha Gray (Muskogee, OK/Butler County C.C.), Tamara Vaughn (Houston, TX/Blinn College), Tiona Wilson (Bradenton, FL/Southeast H.S.), Cinthia Ramirez (Guadalajara, Mexico/ Nolan Catholic H.S.).

"LeKeisha, Tamara, Cinthia and Tiona are so solid. We are on such solid ground with these four seniors. They each play a different role for this team and they accept that role and that's why they are going to be brilliant leaders for us this year," Craft said.

In addition to four seniors, UTPA returns an experienced group of underclassmen as well as two junior college transfers and three extremely talented true freshmen to the lineup.

The Lady Broncs enter the 2007-08 season ranked 22nd in the country in defensive takeaways and finished in the top third in offensive proficiency among Division I programs. With the loss of senior center MaHogany Daniel (Corpus Christi, TX/ Mary Carroll H.S.) to graduation, UTPA will look for someone to step in and take her role.

"I don't know if there is a single replacement for Mo. Collectively with the development of Rose, Aleeya, Danielle, the arrival of Maria Ben Erlingsdottir and the growing confidence of Robin Garrett, we believe our forwards and post positions are in good hands," commented Craft.

On any team there's always that one player that adds that extra spark to a team and for the Lady Broncs the one player that is capable of being a pivotal part of the Broncs offensive scheme is sharp shooter Teshay Winfrey (Houston, TX/Eisenhower H.S.) who for once in her three year career is completely healthy.

"People always talk about your X-Factor or your wildcard and I really believe it's going to be Teshay. She has the full gamet of what you need to be a Division I scoring threat. Our program needs a consistent scorer, will it be Teshay... that's left to be answered but I finally feel like she has an opportunity for that because she has been healthy thus far," said Craft.

Below is a look at the 2006-07 UTPA women's basketball team.

Guards
Gray, returns for her final year as the Lady Broncs floor general. Gray was selected as the United Basketball League Newcomer of the Year and earned a spot on the UBL All-Newcomer Team for her efforts this past season for the Lady Broncs. The UTPA senior led the Lady Broncs with a 10.6 scoring average to go along with 4.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game in her first season with the program.

"Keisha is our leader. She's tough, defends, reads screens well and is a legit open floor player. What we need from her is to play full throttle this season, hold nothing back and be more aggressive on the offensive end of the floor," said Craft.

Shooting guard, Vaughn, was voted to the United Basketball League All-Newcomer Team a week after receiving a spot on the Independent All-Newcomer Team. The Lady Bronc outside threat started 26 of 28 games and posted 12 games of 10 or more points to go along with 13 games of four or more rebounds in her first season with the program.

"TV will be counted on to provide us with consistent offense. She has a great feel for the game and can score in bunches. We want her to focus on the next possession and let the rest go. If she can do that then she will have a dynamic senior season," Craft said.

Wilson appeared in 22 games during her junior campaign where she averaged 2.5 points, 0.8 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 0.4 steals per game.

"Shorty is a very good catch and shoot player from the three. We need her to step up and be a big time defender for us on the perimeter. She has had a terrific pre-season and it is our hope that this becomes Shorty's best year," said Craft.

Senior guard, Ramirez appeared in 24 games during her junior campaign for the Lady Broncs where she started at the point guard position on 14 occasions.

"Cinthia provides great leadership for our team with her consistent and resilient play. She has continued to learn our system and has found her niche in it. She can fill a variety of roles for this team and we may need her to adjust each night," said Craft.

Winfrey concluded her sophomore season ranked first in free throw percentage and third in three-point field goals made.

"Teshay has the range to change games. She is a great shooter that needs to maintain her focus on every play. Her work ethic has improved, her skill package is a good as anyone on our team, and her desire to compete has taken a new step. We are all excited about Teshay and where her game can go," Craft commented.

La'Shae Woodard (Houston, TX/ Blinn College) returns after only appearing in nine games before being sidelined for the remainder of her first campaign due to an injury.

"LaShae has worked very hard to come back from last season's injury. She is playing stronger than ever and is more mature in her approach to practices. We like her energy and most of all, her true team spirit," Craft added.

Rose Esther Jean (Missouri City, TX/ Hightower H.S.) made an immediate impact in her first season in a Lady Bronc uniform as she appeared in all 29 games while earning a spot in the starting rotation in five contests. Jean became the first freshman in program history to record a double-double (points-rebounds) in her first collegiate game against Centenary.

"Rose spent the summer committed to her personal game and added strength and endurance to her base. She is explosive, plays with a level of confidence, and is continuing to grow and expand her game. We love how Rose has committed to this program. It will pay off in big time minutes," Craft said.

Newcomer Michelle Cottrell (Montgomery, AL/Wallace C.C.-Selma) comes to the Rio Grande Valley from Wallace Community College-Selma where she led the Patriots to a 15-13 overall record, including a 10-4 mark in the Alabama Community College Conference Southern Division. Cottrell concluded her sophomore season with the Patriots by averaging 11.5 points, 6.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game en route to securing first team All-Region XXII and first team All-ACCC Southern League laurels

"Michelle is here for a reason. She reads the floor and her teammates extremely well. She is a court general that distributes efficiently and effectively," Craft said.

True freshman Janita Sessions (San Pedro, CA/Narbonne H.S.) will add a spark to the Lady Broncs lineup as she comes from one of the best girls' basketball programs in the State of California in nationally-ranked Narbonne High School. In her senior season with the Gauchos, Sessions averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 steals and 4.0 assists per game en route to earning All-Los Angeles City Section first team honors.

"Janita has great skills for a guard. She can post up, rebound, and is continuing to work on her outside game. We love the fundamental package she brings to the guard position," said Craft.

Freshman guard Octavia Richard (Lufkin, TX/Lufkin High School) was a standout athlete at Lufkin High School where she led the Lady Panther's to an 18-4A District Championship with an overall record of 28-9 in junior campaign.

"Octavia is a recruited walk-on freshman. She is our player project, she has an abundance of energy, good athleticism, and we are building her game. She has great heart and I think she is going to continue to develop. It's going to be really enjoyable to watch her," added Craft.

Forwards
After an outstanding first season Aleeya Grigsby (Nacogdoches, TX/ Nacogdoches H.S.) returns as one of the Lady Broncs leading scorers. Grigsby concluded her rookie campaign by averaging 7.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 0.8 assists and 0.2 steals per game. The sophomore appeared in all 29 games for the Lady Broncs where she earned a spot in the starting rotation in 27 contests.

"Aleeya is relentless in her approach to the game. She works on both ends, is coach able, and is tough. She had a great beginning as a Lady Bronc and is continuing to develop her outside game. Watching her get better every workout is what makes this job so enjoyable. In her own words...Git r done," said Craft.

Sophomore Taylor Schneider (Mesa, AZ/ St. Mary's H.S.) appeared in 17 games where she earned a spot in the starting lineup on three occasions.

"Taylor is a consummate teammate. She works hard, is a great passer, encourages every player and is loyal to the program. We are eager to get her back from her injury so she can make our team better," added Craft.

Danielle Kostacky (Clearwater, FL/ Clearwater H.S.) saw action in 16 games during her second season with the Lady Broncs.

"Danielle had a great summer. She got stronger, maintained her shooting consistency, and is poised to be counted on this season. She can stretch the defense from a post/perimeter position because of her accuracy from long range," Craft said.

Junior college transfer Jessica Walker (Jacksonville, FL/ Palm Beach C.C.) was the team's top scorer and rebounder as the PBCC sophomore averaged 15.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while ranking in the top-25 among all Region VIII players in several categories.

"Jessica has great range for a big guard. She shows bursts of being a great up-tempo player, but must stay fundamental for us. Jess has a huge upside and is just scratching the surface of her ability.

Center
Robin Garrett (Nacogdoches, TX/ Nacogdoches H.S.) concluded her sophomore campaign averaging 4.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocked shots per game. Garrett appeared in all 29 games this past season where she led the Lady Broncs in field goal percentage.

"Robin has continued to get better every season. She has a great touch around the basket, can play physical when called upon, and yet is very mobile. Robin has all the skills necessary to be a solid low post player," said Craft.

Iceland native Maria Ben Erlingsdottir (Keflavik, Iceland/ Sudurnes Comprehensive College) was a three-year member of the Icelandic National Team where she competed in the FIBA Under-18 European Championships in 2004 through 2006. The Icelandic National Team was comprised of all of the top Under-18 players in Iceland, and Erlingsdottir was one of the team's top players during the 2006 championships as she averaged 14.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game

"I think Maria is a prolific scorer from inside the lane. The one thing that we need is someone that loves to play with their back to the basket and can score in a variety of ways and I think she has a chance to be a dynamic player not only in her career but I think she can provide a consistent scoring punch in her inaugural year," added Craft.

The Final View
UTPA will match-up against teams from the Big 12, Atlantic 10, Southwestern and Southland Conferences. The Lady Broncs biggest test will be how well the squad plays with each other.

"We are "The Chosen Ones" but not in a selfish way. Our team is committed to one another, to have the will, to outwork our opponents, to sacrifice and support each other: We have one goal that will be accomplished one possession at a time, and no one will determine our destiny. If we put it all together this could be a very special season and hopefully for these players and outgoing seniors, one that they will really remember," Craft concluded.

The addition of several new players to an experienced group of underclassmen and the return of four seniors will set the tone for the 2007-08 campaign. The Lady Broncs have all the components for a special season. Leadership, experience and hard work will be what carries UTPA to a winning season.

My chosen one. I have called you by your name and have given you a title of honor.

Isaiah 45:4 NIV

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