Published: October 26, 2009 06:07 pm      

Lady Coyotes vie for 4-Peat

Bob McKinley became the nation’s winningest active junior college women’s basketball coach last season, as his team was on its way to winning a third straight conference title. McKinley’s teams have never missed the postseason in his 30-plus years at WC. If any team has a target on its back, it’s the Lady Coyotes.

And that’s just fine with the head coach.

“If I had to pick, I’d put us first in conference again this year,” McKinley said. “Tradition means a lot at this level. Our players put big expectations on themselves because of what’s happened before.”

That’s not to say that he thinks it will be easy. The coaching veteran says his team’s inside game should be improved, but overall inexperience will be the question mark for the upcoming season.

The size is there underneath the basket, with 6-foot-4 Monica McGill returning at the post position along with newcomer Shameka Lunford, a 6-foot-3 shot-blocker from Brazoswood. McKinley has toyed with a double-post attack because of the abilities of his frontcourt.

At forward, Chaundra Cleaver and Brittany Wilkins return from last season, with Santo freshman Mitzi Miller vying for playing time.

At point guard, McKinley calls returning All-Conference honoree Kasondra Foreman the “quickest player around.” Andrea Davis, sister of former Lady Coyote Ashley Davis, comes highly touted from Wichita Falls Hirchi.

McKinley says the usual suspects should compete with WC for the North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference title: Cisco, Grayson, Collin and McLennan.

“Others in the conference say we’ll have a hard time repeating, but I don’t see why we shouldn’t be in the hunt.”

In Region V, Midland returns after a 30-0 regular season, along with reigning regional champ Howard, and contenders Odessa, South Plains and New Mexico.

As far as the honor of coaching the most wins in the NJCAA, McKinley immediately throws the credit back to his players.

“I’ve been fortunate to have a good situation here. I’ve had good players, but more than that, I’ve had good people. That makes all the difference.”