SIAC WOMEN Lady Wildcats Blessed With Success! A Ft Valley in Seven Post Season Tourney, and ? M.:* flan have won two championships . Ever since its inception, the Fort Val ley State College Lady Wildcat Basketball program has been blessed with success that has made it one of the most respected in the SIAC, if not in the country. For the past eight seasons, that reputation has grown and prospered under head coach Lonnie Hartley. With Bartley at the helm, the LadyCats have tasted post season play for seven consecutive years, Won two SIAC championships, and have earned tWD invitations to the Division II basket ball tournament. So far this season. Fort Valley has posted a record of 15-2 (5-1 ? SIAC) ami is once again in the running-for another berth in the all important SIAC Tournament that will be held in Birming ham. Alabama (March 3-6). Bartley feels that the reasons the LadyCats have bolted out to such a strong start are experience and enthusiasm. "We had quite a few people to return from last year's .team (which won the SIAC Cham pionship and qualified for the Division II Tournament), and that gave us a good nucleus on which to build for this season. In the off season, we recruited some new personnel that we felt would help us in several reasons, and their eagerness and ability to get adapted to our system has paid off well." Looking at the statistics. Fort Valley's roster sports four individuals who are scor ing in double figures, a big reason for the team's scoring average of 85.6 points a game, and two guards (Dionka Davis and Lisa Draper) with over 70 assists. Debbie Ray (18.4), Davis (17.3), Cynthia Bridges (12.5), and Natoshia Williams (1 1.3) have helped Fort Valley with their ability to step up and score points when needed. "We have a squad that relies totally on the team concept. They are constantly looking for the open person and getting the ball to and (DeeDee) Davis has become a better shooter. As for myself, I want to improve on my field goal percentage (she is shoot ing 54% from the floor in 92-V3) and free throw sh<K)ting. We know its going to take a lot of hard work. The new players have developed well as the season wears on. and they have confidence now when coach calls on them. However, if were are to do well in post season play, our intensity on defense and ball control must be at its Cynthia Bridges ii We had quite a few people to return that gave us a good nucleus on which to build for this season " ? Coach Bartley them." As one glances at the numbers, it is evident that the LadyCats can have several options as to who may score the points, which underscores the team concept even more. "We basically don't have what many would consider to he the 'go to' per son. Our team docs certain things accord ing to what phase the hall game is in, and everyone is aware as to where the ball is located," says Hartley. Fort Valley does a great job of finding the open person, and the one spotted more than anyone is Ray. The 6' I" "Senior from Cairo, Georgia is having another prwluctive season, leading the team in both scoring and rebounding (10.6). Last season as a rookie in the FVSC program (as a JUCO transfer), Ray led Fort Valley in both scoring (IX. 2) and rebounding ( 10.3) as she helped Fort Val ley to 21-9 record, the SI AC title and a Division II Playoff invitation. "Debbie's presence has been a real plus for us. She concentrates well and remains consistent with her style of play." Ray, who docs most of her talking with her performance on the basketball court, has set some per sonal goals for the season. "We are out to win 20 or more games again this season. Last year, we won the SIAC Champi onship, but as a team, we would *5ery much like to repeat as champions again this year. In order to do so though, we all have to improve, or continue improving on our games. Cynthia (Bridges) has done better on the rebounding end this year. best." Kay also noted that while she was in Junior College at Brevard in Cocoa, Mori da, she didn't think that she would have the success that is now associated with her. Last year. Ray was named to the A 1 1 - SIAC team and was also voted the SIAC Tournament MVP. Fort Valley also has a reputation tor playing its freshman recruits right away, and getting positive results from the move. Keeping that tradition alive are rookies Williams and Calamtnr Stephens: Williams has developed quickly, earning a spot in the starting rotation, averaging I 1.3 points a game and just over 5 rebrfunds. Williams has even led the team in a couple of games, exploding for 29 points against Valdosta State and providing the lone glimmer of hope in a 75-66 setback against Albany State with a 19 point per formance. Stephens has stepped in and provided depth for the LadyCats in the low post, enabling starter Bridges (who leads the nation in field goal percentage at 72%) to get some needed rest. "It has been our custom to find gtxxl athletes that can come in and be able to produce right away. We have been fortunate enough to get some blue chippers along the way, and that in itseK has helped the program immensely." Winning basketball is not the only thing associated with the Lady Wildcat program as many former players have gone on to do well after their playing days w Coach Lonnie Hartley coach. "A lot of the discipline and pride that they pick up as members of the team stays with them and carries over to every day life. A lot of that comes from my experience with coach (Jessie) Brown (Hartley was her assistant during Brown's reign as f'VSC coach), who was always stressing a good work ethic." All coaches are thrilled with winning, hut Hartley finds more enjoyment ^seeing his players reap the benefits of their efforts both on and off the court. "1 really enjoy seeing players go and pick up awards, whether it be MVP. All-Conference or some sort of academic achievement. Seeing others do well is just as gotxl as winning a game." As the season begins to enter the final month. Bartlcy knows that the road will only get tougher, and the team will have to take one game at a time "the time has to keep playing together and not become selfish of we are to come close to the type of campaign we had last season. The ladies have got to stay hungry for success and not let complacency set in. We have some good teams in this league, and doing just enough to get by could cost you dear ly" arc over. "Wc try not to instill basketball as a way of life for our players, and they are prepared for the working world when their playing days are over," says the

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