The women’s basketball team heads into its last two weeks of regular season play ranked No. 4 in the nation and with a Great American Conference regular season championship under their belts. After defeating Ouachita Baptist University on Feb. 15, the team clinched the GAC regular season championship title. This is the 12th straight week the Lady Bisons have been ranked in the top 20 according to the USA Today Coaches’ Poll. Their No. 4 ranking is the highest ever in the team’s history.
Assistant coach David Walker said winning the GAC regular season championship was the result of years of progress by the upperclassmen on the team.
“The way we got here is that we have a group of girls who bought into what we are trying to do here,” Walker said. “The core group of girls have been here for three or four years. We have been building toward this for a while. I think that has been the most rewarding part of the process.”
Off the court, the team has a chemistry that continues to help them succeed on the floor. There are 11 upperclassmen who have stepped up to take charge of this year’s team.
According to senior guard Lauren Crenshaw, the relationships on the team have been a huge reason why the girls have done so well.
“Our team has such a close bond,” Crenshaw said. “The close relationships we all have contribute to being so close on the floor. When you have 15 girls who have your back, and you know they would do anything for you, it makes you play better. You want to give nothing but your best because you know that is what you are getting from your teammates.”
One of the team leaders this year, according to Crenshaw and Walker, is senior guard Kristen Celsor. Crenshaw said every girl on the team respects her and knows she fulfills the role of a leader.
“She is encouraging to everyone,” Crenshaw said. “She does not bring us down, she builds us up. She plays with passion and gives 100 percent to this team every time she is on the floor.”
Walker said Celsor is not necessarily a vocal leader, but leads by example on and off the floor.
“She is not the most outspoken player, but when she says something, it matters,” Walker said.
According to senior guard Deshelle Isaac-Boyce, the team has been successful thus far in the season due to the commitment from this year’s team during workouts and practices.
Isaac-Boyce said the team began workouts this summer and has continued to improve every time they step onto the court.
“We have gotten to this point with hard work, dedication and team work,” Isaac-Boyce said. “It means everything to our team to be able to cross out one of our team goals with so much more left to accomplish.”
The team has four regular season games left over the next two weeks, and a chance to make an even bigger impact. Walker said they have to position themselves nationally with the remaining games in order to have the opportunity to host an NCAA regional game.
“The way the NCAA tournament works, there is no time to let down,” Walker said. “There is no glass ceiling for this team. We want to be conference champions, but the more you win, the higher the stakes get. I think our girls are mature enough to realize what we are playing for and to embrace that moment.”
Walker, Crenshaw and Isaac-Boyce said the Rhodes Rowdies and Harding fans have given the team motivation to play well throughout this season. They want to see everyone at the remaining home games on Feb. 22 and 27.
According to Walker, if you have not been following the Lady Bisons this season, you have missed out on a great show. There is still time to support the team, and Walker invites everyone to do so.
“Get on this ride with us if you are not yet,” Walker said. “These girls deserve it. They have worked hard, and they will make you proud by what they do on and off the floor.”
