The season outlook for Collin College’s basketball teams is sunny with several starters returning and transfers filling out the ranks with new talent. The men’s and women’s teams have won their opening games of the season.
The Cougars dispatched visiting American University out of Houston 94-80 on Nov. 1. At the same time, the Lady Cougars were beating Paris Junior College 64-40 on the road.
The Lady Cougars return All-Conference First Team players Asia Davis and Ashtyn Beal, as well as Asia Willard and Mya Johnson, who were All-Conference Honorable Mentions. Those four were the team’s top scorers last year.
Add to that D1 Rice University transfer Jasmin Taylor, Jordynn Hernandez, who had to sit out last season with a knee injury, and a lot of new freshmen and transfer talent, and it’s easy to see the possibilities for the team. Lady Cougars Coach Jeff Allen said he expects good things from his team, with solid minutes for each of his players.
“We have got probably the deepest team of talent since I have been here, but (play) is always by committee,” Allen said. “They are going to do it as a group.”
Allen said the team was working hard and seeing positive results in late October, but it is too early to call out any games the team is looking forward to.
“Early in the year, every game is big,” he said. “We just worry about the next day and we see what happens.”
See the Lady Cougars schedule here.
Men’s Coach Jim Sigona already has his sights set on a few opponents in non-conference play, two of which play in the Collin College Thanksgiving Tournament, Nov. 24-25. South Plains, a team that will probably be first or second in the country, and Seminole, a team that was regional runner-up last year, will both provide good tests for the Cougars relatively early in the season.
Sigona is confident his team can compete, though, with several returners leading the way. Jack Nobles, Jonathyn Washington, Bradley Mason and Tyrick Bennett all got playing time last year. Nobles and Washington were both All-Conference Honorable Mentions. Jalen Webber, a D1 transfer from Houston Baptist University, is also providing some game experience.
Sigona said the Cougars can play big or small depending on their opponent and believes that will be one key to the matchups.
“We are very versatile in the way we can play,” he said. “At one point we can have smaller guards out there with some big guys and, at others, we can have all 6’5″ guys. “
Sigona said his team will use all 18 of its pre-conference games to tune up for a run in the playoffs. He said he wants the Cougars to stay healthy and stay together as a team, with the goal being ready in January and February.
“Hopefully we are playing our best basketball when the time comes,” he said. “Our goal is to win a conference championship.”
See the Cougars schedule here.
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