University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Ragin’ Cajuns Women’s Basketball 2015-16 Preview: Guards
11/4/2015 11:54:00 AM | Women's Basketball
With the 2015-16 basketball season quickly approaching, RaginCajuns.com takes an in-depth look at the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns women's basketball roster leading up to the team's first exhibition Monday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. against LSU-Alexandria. Today, we take a look at the guards in the first of a three-part series. The Cajuns, who went 23-12 during the 2014-15 season and claimed the 2015 WBI Championship, return nine letterwinners and five starters for the upcoming season.
Returners: Brooklyn Arceneaux, Kia Wilridge, Jaylyn Gordon, Jodi Quinn, Gabby Alexander, Keke Veal, Sylvana Okde
LAFAYETTE – Entering the 2015-16 campaign with renewed expectations, fourth-year head coach Garry Brodhead and his staff return a skilled and unique blend of talent to this year's mix at the guard position. With seven returning players, headlined by a pair of seniors in 2015 All-Conference selections Keke Veal and Kia Wilridge, the Cajuns will have a plethora of combinations they can employ against opposing teams as they aim for the Sun Belt Conference crown.
"Our guard play is second to none in the Sun Belt," Brodhead said. "And there are some really good guards in this conference. I think the sky is the limit with this group with the experience we have and what we are bringing back."
Veal, one of three seniors in the projected starting lineup, has finished as the team's leading scorer in two of the past three seasons. She reached a new career high in scoring a season ago, averaging 14.9 points per contest, en route to being named All-Sun Belt Conference Third Team. The 2015 WBI Tournament MVP enters the season as an All-Sun Belt Conference Preseason First Team selection.
"Keke brings knowledge to the game – she anticipates things very well," Brodhead said. "I think she has bought into improving her shooting. Keke rebounds the ball very well for a smaller guard, which helps out our small-ball mentality. She is the type of player that raises the level of play of her teammates."
Wilridge opens the season with All-Sun Belt Conference Preseason Second Team accolades attached to her name. The Crowley, La., native started in all 35 games a season ago and poured in 12.3 points per game while hauling in 4.5 rebounds per contest, tied for the team lead. She became the first Cajun to record at least 100 steals in a season since 1989-90 when Kim Perrot accomplished the feat.
"Kia improved her shooting this past offseason and is very good with the ball," Brodhead said. "She has a motor that doesn't stop and she makes it very hard for opponents to guard her. She is the "quarterback" in every aspect of our defense."
The Cajuns welcome back a pair of backcourt weapons in redshirt senior Brooklyn Arceneaux and junior Sylvana Okde, who redshirted in 2014-15.
During her sophomore season in 2013-14, Arceneaux led the Cajuns in rebounding with 5.2 per contest, and enjoyed a team-best 13.2 points per game in conference play.
"Brooklyn is a pure scorer," Brodhead said. "She can rebound and defend, and has led our team in charges taken on the defensive end."
In Okde's sophomore season, the Houston, Texas native splashed 74 three-pointers, the fourth-most in Cajuns history in a season. She enters 2015-16 in fifth place on Louisiana's all-time three-point field goals made list with 148, a dozen shy of passing Bernette Tolston for fourth most in the history of the program.
"We missed Okde's shooting [ability] last season," Brodhead said. "With Taylor [Washington] and her at guard, we should cause some trouble for some zone looks [by opposing defenses].
"Okde can shoot and open our offense and make people come out and have to outscore us," Brodhead added. "To get a scorer like Sylvana back is going to allow us to mix in different lineups and make us a tougher opponent for other teams."
Jaylyn Gordon, a junior hailing from Edgard, La., returns after making 31 starts in 34 appearances last season. Playing in a team-high 32.6 minutes per game, Gordon was the second-leading scorer for the Cajuns averaging 13.4 points per game. Her presence was also felt on the defensive end, blocking a team-best eight shots. Her performance garnered WBI All-Tournament Team honors and a spot on the All-Louisiana Women's Basketball list.
"Jaylyn is a special player," Brodhead said. "We knew she could be a scoring point [guard] which is hard to find. She has good ball-handling skills, and is a good decision maker. We are seeing a big improvement in her defense so far. We think she can have a great year."
Jodi Quinn saw plenty of action on the hardwood as a freshman, playing in 34 games with one start. In 13.0 minutes per game, she recorded 18 steals and pulled down just under two rebounds a contest. She also chipped in four assists.
"Jodi is one of those defensive stoppers who puts pressure on the ball, and can deny shots," Brodhead said. "Jodi has worked on her shooting as well as improving on penetrating to the basket."
Gabby Alexander enters her third season with the Cajuns. She served as a strong rotational player the past two years. Alexander appeared in all 35 games last season, averaging 3.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per contest. Her energy on the boards was evident recording 46 offensive rebounds, third most on the team. She also added a career-high 14 steals.
"Gabby is the most athletic person on our team by far," Brodhead said. "Every day she is improving on both sides of the floor and she can rebound the ball. We want to give her as many offensive touches as we can. We expect a lot of good things from her."
Season tickets for the 2015-16 campaign are available by calling the Cajundome ticket office at (337) 265-2100, or by emailing Director of Tickets, Matt Casbon at mcasbon@cajundome.com.
For more information on the Louisiana women's basketball program, fans can Like their Facebook page (/RaginCajunsWBB) or follow the team on Twitter (@RaginCajunsWBB).
Returners: Brooklyn Arceneaux, Kia Wilridge, Jaylyn Gordon, Jodi Quinn, Gabby Alexander, Keke Veal, Sylvana Okde
LAFAYETTE – Entering the 2015-16 campaign with renewed expectations, fourth-year head coach Garry Brodhead and his staff return a skilled and unique blend of talent to this year's mix at the guard position. With seven returning players, headlined by a pair of seniors in 2015 All-Conference selections Keke Veal and Kia Wilridge, the Cajuns will have a plethora of combinations they can employ against opposing teams as they aim for the Sun Belt Conference crown.
"Our guard play is second to none in the Sun Belt," Brodhead said. "And there are some really good guards in this conference. I think the sky is the limit with this group with the experience we have and what we are bringing back."
Veal, one of three seniors in the projected starting lineup, has finished as the team's leading scorer in two of the past three seasons. She reached a new career high in scoring a season ago, averaging 14.9 points per contest, en route to being named All-Sun Belt Conference Third Team. The 2015 WBI Tournament MVP enters the season as an All-Sun Belt Conference Preseason First Team selection.
"Keke brings knowledge to the game – she anticipates things very well," Brodhead said. "I think she has bought into improving her shooting. Keke rebounds the ball very well for a smaller guard, which helps out our small-ball mentality. She is the type of player that raises the level of play of her teammates."
Wilridge opens the season with All-Sun Belt Conference Preseason Second Team accolades attached to her name. The Crowley, La., native started in all 35 games a season ago and poured in 12.3 points per game while hauling in 4.5 rebounds per contest, tied for the team lead. She became the first Cajun to record at least 100 steals in a season since 1989-90 when Kim Perrot accomplished the feat.
"Kia improved her shooting this past offseason and is very good with the ball," Brodhead said. "She has a motor that doesn't stop and she makes it very hard for opponents to guard her. She is the "quarterback" in every aspect of our defense."
The Cajuns welcome back a pair of backcourt weapons in redshirt senior Brooklyn Arceneaux and junior Sylvana Okde, who redshirted in 2014-15.
During her sophomore season in 2013-14, Arceneaux led the Cajuns in rebounding with 5.2 per contest, and enjoyed a team-best 13.2 points per game in conference play.
"Brooklyn is a pure scorer," Brodhead said. "She can rebound and defend, and has led our team in charges taken on the defensive end."
In Okde's sophomore season, the Houston, Texas native splashed 74 three-pointers, the fourth-most in Cajuns history in a season. She enters 2015-16 in fifth place on Louisiana's all-time three-point field goals made list with 148, a dozen shy of passing Bernette Tolston for fourth most in the history of the program.
"We missed Okde's shooting [ability] last season," Brodhead said. "With Taylor [Washington] and her at guard, we should cause some trouble for some zone looks [by opposing defenses].
"Okde can shoot and open our offense and make people come out and have to outscore us," Brodhead added. "To get a scorer like Sylvana back is going to allow us to mix in different lineups and make us a tougher opponent for other teams."
Jaylyn Gordon, a junior hailing from Edgard, La., returns after making 31 starts in 34 appearances last season. Playing in a team-high 32.6 minutes per game, Gordon was the second-leading scorer for the Cajuns averaging 13.4 points per game. Her presence was also felt on the defensive end, blocking a team-best eight shots. Her performance garnered WBI All-Tournament Team honors and a spot on the All-Louisiana Women's Basketball list.
"Jaylyn is a special player," Brodhead said. "We knew she could be a scoring point [guard] which is hard to find. She has good ball-handling skills, and is a good decision maker. We are seeing a big improvement in her defense so far. We think she can have a great year."
Jodi Quinn saw plenty of action on the hardwood as a freshman, playing in 34 games with one start. In 13.0 minutes per game, she recorded 18 steals and pulled down just under two rebounds a contest. She also chipped in four assists.
"Jodi is one of those defensive stoppers who puts pressure on the ball, and can deny shots," Brodhead said. "Jodi has worked on her shooting as well as improving on penetrating to the basket."
Gabby Alexander enters her third season with the Cajuns. She served as a strong rotational player the past two years. Alexander appeared in all 35 games last season, averaging 3.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per contest. Her energy on the boards was evident recording 46 offensive rebounds, third most on the team. She also added a career-high 14 steals.
"Gabby is the most athletic person on our team by far," Brodhead said. "Every day she is improving on both sides of the floor and she can rebound the ball. We want to give her as many offensive touches as we can. We expect a lot of good things from her."
Season tickets for the 2015-16 campaign are available by calling the Cajundome ticket office at (337) 265-2100, or by emailing Director of Tickets, Matt Casbon at mcasbon@cajundome.com.
For more information on the Louisiana women's basketball program, fans can Like their Facebook page (/RaginCajunsWBB) or follow the team on Twitter (@RaginCajunsWBB).
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