The Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) women’s basketball team started off its 2018-2019 season on Friday against No.22 ranked Black Hills State Hornets (BHS). The Javelinas put up a good fight but lost 48-40. Players like Cloe Lane led the way with nine points and 11 rebounds. Head coach Wade Scott was looking forward to the game. “Black Hills is a good team. They got everybody back…the team went to the regional tournament…it’ll be a good contest with everybody back,” he said.
The beginning of the season, particularly the first few games, is usually when most teams are trying to figure themselves out. The Lady Javelinas with an almost entirely new roster this season is no different. Coach Scott agrees. “They’re searching for their identity right now….these first couple of games we’ll try to find out whom we are going to be,” he said. Starting Javelina point guard Rachel Tapps is very optimistic on what the season may hold and the challenges that may come with it. “My expectation for the season is to make a name for ourselves, playing hard for the fans day in and day out and giving the fans what they want to see. [I am] being the best leader I can be and working as hard as I can for my teammates and my coaches,” she said.
On Saturday, the Lady Javelinas bounced back from the loss and took revenge against the Chadron State Eagles, beating them 61-37. Scott was expecting a challenge from the Eagles. “We lost to them by one [point] last year in the end…(they’ll) give us a good test,” he said. It was a great team effort and the players were all involved in some way with the win. Brynae Thompson outscored everybody in the contest with 13 points.
TAMUK student and basketball fan Abigail Whitaker was impressed with what she saw from the Lady Javelinas. “You can tell that they have stuff to work on, but as of today they are clicking a lot better…we look pretty good, I think it’s more of getting to know each other as a team,” she said. While the ladies were at home facing two visiting teams. The Men’s Basketball team headed to South Dakota and Nebraska for games on the road. They played against the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Hardrockers and then the Chadron State University Eagles. The Men dropped the game against the Hardrockers and won the game against the Eagles.
