After missing out on the NJCAA Region V Basketball Tournament each of the past two seasons, the Weatherford College Lady Coyotes are back where they were a mainstay for decades.
WC (20-10, 11-6 conference) secured their postseason berth when they defeated Temple, 78-64, Monday at Hill College to finish fourth in the conference.
“It’s a good feeling. It’s always great for the girls to get the exposure,” Lady Coyotes head coach Bob McKinley said. “This group has been really special. They put forth a consistent effort in practice and all games.”
The win earned WC a spot opposite New Mexico Junior College, co-champions of the Western Athletic Junior College Athletic Conference, Thursday at 1 p.m. at McLennan Community College in Waco. New Mexico is ranked No. 3 in the country.
The game is a rematch of the last time the Lady Coyotes reached the regional tournament in 2022. Weatherford College almost pulled off an upset before falling 79-75.
“They’re evidently not unbeatable,” McKinley said. “But New Mexico has just about everything you need to win. If we’re making shots, we’ve got a chance to beat just about anybody.”
WC is enjoying its best women’s basketball season since going 16-8 in the COVID-19 shortened 2020-21 season. That year, the team reached the Region V final, falling 74-72 to Hill College.
This is also the first time the Lady Coyotes have won 20 games in a season since going 22-9 in the 2019-20 season.
Despite ending last year with a 12-17 record, there was optimism at the end as they finished on a three-game winning streak. That was followed by a 6-1 start this season.
The Lady Coyotes, however, are looking for their first win against a nationally ranked opponent this season. They are 0-2 against No. 10 McLennan and No. 23 Grayson, both of whom are also in the NTJCAC.
Though they did throw a scare into each before dropping a 56-53 contest to McLennan and falling 59-53 to Grayson in home games.
WC is 4-4 in games decided by six points or less.
The Lady Coyotes have accomplished their success with a roster that features 11 freshmen and four sophomores. Two of those freshmen are among the league leaders in several statistical categories.
Neso Anisiobi is tied for the conference lead in rebounds (8.3 average), ranks eighth in points per game (13.8) and third in field goal percentage (49.3).
Pearson McVay is third in rebounds (7.9 average) and sixth in field goal percentage (45.5).
The top sophomore statistically is Jacque Giron. She leads the conference in assists (6.4 average), is fourth in 3-point field goal percentage (34.7), sixth in scoring average (14.8) and seventh in field goal percentage (44.6).
As a team, the Lady Coyotes’ scoring average is up almost six points to 73.4. Defensively, they are holding opponents to 61.9 points, down drastically from last season’s 74.4.
