Cougars Hit the Court

The 2006-2007 basketball season promises to be a successful campaign for both Cougar squads. The men’s team is picked to finish second by the C-USA preseason coaches’ poll, while the women’s team is picked fourth. But both Coach Tom Penders and Coach Joe Curl have their eyes set on the top prize – a Conference USA championship and accompanying NCAA tournament berth.

The men’s team (2-0), coming off a 21-10 season and second-round NIT appearance, returns five players from last year’s team. Seniors Lanny Smith and Oliver Lafayette have earned spots on the Preseason All-Conference Team. Seniors Jahmar Thorpe and Richard Young and junior Sam Anderson bring experience to the frontcourt. An athletic group of newcomers hopes to bolster this already talented core.

The Lady Coogs (0-2) return four starters and two lettermen from a team that went 12-17 overall and 8-8 in conference. Junior Tye Jackson and sophomore Sha’Ratta Hawkins, the only pair of C-USA teammates to each average at least 15 points per game last year, return as team leaders. Sophomore Nakazi Glover and junior Ryan Meyers bring versatility to the court, senior Becky Gibson returns as a dependable guard, and senior Sha’Quaylon McKinney brings size and skill to the post.

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