Written by Russ Gray and John Mark Adkison
The Harding University Lady Bison basketball team will be taking on Lipscomb University, a Division I school, Nov. 6 at Lipscomb University in Tennessee. “We’re ready to go and win,” junior Sierra Rollins said. “They are a Division I school, but our team this year looks very strong and should have what it takes to win.”Rollins said fans can expect a fun and fast-paced game this year.”I am most excited about seeing how we deliver in a game situation. Practice is great, but this is a completely different atmosphere. I can’t wait to see how we all play together,” freshman guard Kristen Celsor said.A lot of the new style of play comes from having a deep roster this year, which will allow the team to push the ball up the court a lot more and make more inside drives. Two players who transferred to Harding are senior Brittany Gottsponer, who transferred from Arkansas Tech, and senior Cherilyn McMenamy, who transferred from West Texas A&M University.”I’m excited to play with them this year,” Rollins said. “I think they will be a great addition to the team and that they will bring a lot more energy to our team.”During Gottsponer’s junior year, she started 22 games and averaged 6.3 points, 2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game at Arkansas Tech.During Cherilyn McMenamy’s sophomore year at West Texas A&M, she played in 34 games, averaging 2.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. She also had 30 assists, 11 blocks and 11 steals her sophomore season.The team has been practicing for weeks and is more than ready for its first game.”Coach Kirby has had us practicing so many plays every day, they all run together at times,” Celsor said. ” We have press-breakers, fast break plays, plays for zone and man defenses, and our own press defenses, man defenses and zone defense. I think we can cover anything that they throw at us. He has us well-prepared; we’ve just got to remember all that we have been taught”For freshmen like Celsor, this is their first taste of college gameplay. For the team, their time has arrived”The first game will give the freshmen players an opportunity to experience what college basketball is all about,” Rollins said. “For the older players on the team, it’s a great way for us to prepare for the season, as well as prepare to play the No.1 and No. 2 schools in our conference, Delta State and Arkansas Tech.”
