Menu
Cottey hoops poised for breakthrough season
Third-year Cottey Comets head basketball coach Stephanie Beason is confident her team will be competitive and exciting to watch, while improving upon last season's 8-13 record.
"I feel that overall we are more talented this year compared to years past," Beason told the Daily Mail. "We have a ton of potential and great team chemistry. The key for us is going to be consistency with the little things."
Beason continued, "The little things, (they) take heart ---- the drive to want to do it, and desire. The little things aren't always going to get your name in the paper, but they are the things that will win us games and get us to a regional championship game."
In Beason's first year, the Comets finished 12-11 overall, before regressing last season to eight victories. The Comets, however, did improve its regional tournament seeding last season from its seed the previous year. With a nice mix of returning players and impact freshmen, Beason feels the 2016-17 team will have a breakthrough season.
"The overall goal this year is to see progress from the past two seasons," she said. "My first season at Cottey we entered the regional tournament as a four-seed. Last year, we were the three-seed."
Beason said a National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) Region 16 championship trophy is potentially within reach.
"Our progression goal this year is to get to the championship game," she said. "And if we get there and compete, we could possibly see Cottey return to campus at the end of the season with its first ever (NJCAA) Region 16 championship trophy."
A pair of incoming freshman point guards, Alex Alvarez and Destiney Teniente will be relied upon heavily this season, according to Beason.
"With a handful of new players on this year's roster, (our)freshman (class) will be looked upon to step in and make an immediate impact," she said. "Alex and Destiney will be put in the hot seat to run this year's team and set the tempo on the offensive end."
Alvarez and Teniente both hail from San Antonio, Texas.
"Alex and Destiney are still making some adjustments for what we're looking for as a coaching staff," Beason said. "Both are great ball-handlers and are learning to be patient and get everyone involved on the offensive end. They've already made exceptional strides in the right direction during preseason."
Beason seemingly has a recruiting pipeline to San Antonio, as former point guard Ciera Wong, and current center Cheyenne Ortiz both hail from the Alamo City. In addition to Alvarez and Teniente, Beason added a third San Antonio native to this year's freshman class, guard Kim Robles. A fourth guard Beason added to the Comets roster is Malory Moles of Adrian (Mo.) R-3 HS.
"Both Kim and Malory have the ability to light it up and do some different things for us this year," Beason said. "The biggest thing holding them back is (them). Confidence and trusting their gut instinct is going to be key for them this year."
In addition to the incoming talent at the guard position, the Comets added some height with 6-foot-3 center Kate Story of Paducah, Ky.
"Kate is a hard worker that is learning a ton of new things and has a lot of upside," Beason said. "Her height alone is going to give teams problems, and we expect her to continue to improve on both ends of the floor."
Key returning players for the Comets include Ortiz, the Acton sisters: Kelsey, and Kasey of Traverse, Mich., and wing-forward Dezha Parker of Fort Worth, Texas. The third Acton sister, Karlie, is red shirting this season due to ACL/meniscus surgery.
Kelsey Acton, at 5-foot-8, was the Comets leading scorer and rebounder last season, while also garnering first-team All-Region honors. Beason said Kelsey has already been selected as the team's co-captain. Ortiz, who averaged eight points and seven rebounds a game during the 2015-16 campaign, is the other team captain.
In addition to Kelsey and Ortiz, Beason said she expects big contributions from her other returning players, Kasey Acton and Parker.
"Kasey (Acton) has always been an effort player for us," Beason said. "She's the player that will do the little things for us and will be a spark of energy in the game. Dezha saw limited playing time for us last year but is expected to be our lock-down defender, and gives us a much needed slasher on the offensive end."
Key losses due to graduation from the Comets roster, include guards Latasha Griggs and Sydney Rose, and forward Amber Harper.
Region 16 competition
Beason said she anticipates NJCAA Region 16 (Division II) play, and the race for a top-two regional seed to be wide-open.
"St. Louis Community College and North Central College are traditionally in the regional championship game, with solid programs and strong teams," Beason said.
"This year, Penn Valley, with a second year coach, has now had the opportunity to recruit her own talent to fit her style of play. Wentworth (Military Academy) will also have a new coach."
Beason added, "If we show up every night and work hard for 40 minutes, we'll have opportunities to beat each of these teams. But if we take time off, we may set ourselves up for failure."
Beason stressed the importance of team cohesiveness.
"Our solid team chemistry and positive attitudes will play a big role in us competing for 40 minutes each game," she said. "But we have to be able to maintain that when things aren't going our way."
The Comets open its season Saturday, as they host Hesston (Kan.) College, with tip off slated for 1 p.m. at the Hinkhouse Center.
After Saturday's game, the Comets don't return home until Nov. 29, when they square of against North Arkansas at 6 p.m. The Comets then face Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College Dec. 2 at Hinkhouse Center.