Women’s Basketball prepares for new season after historic win

The Nicholls State University women’s basketball team returns to the court after its historic 2017-2018 campaign.

Last season, the squad won the Southland Conference Tournament and advanced to March Madness.

Head coach Dobee Plaisance said the team is eager to attain more success.

“Going to the tournament was truly, truly a testament to the hard work, the grind and what we have going on all over Nicholls campus,” Plaisance said. “I mean, this is a great time to be a Colonel, but at the end of the day, that is just not enough. Now we have a new standard in this program. We have to exceed last year’s accomplishments, we have our own set of expectations, and we are gonna be prepared. We are definitely ready to do more.”

Plaisance said despite last season’s impressive run, there is no added pressure placed on the team this season.

“This team knows what they have to do, and at the end of the day, there is no pressure, period, because pressure comes from a lack of preparation, and this team is gonna be prepared for the non-conference schedule, which is tough, as well as they are gonna be prepared for the conference schedule,” Plaisance said.

Plaisance said the team has added fresh talent with plenty of enthusiasm.

“We have been practicing regularly. We’ve been lifting, running; we have a lot of newcomers this year, so there is a little bit of a learning curve, but they are really beginning to come around, and they bring a lot of energy and fire,” Plaisance said.

Senior guard Cassidy Barrios, who earned Southland Conference Player of the Year honors last year, said she helped the freshmen prepare for the new season.

“Outside of practice, I would go over little things such as going through the offense with them without the coaches,” Barrios said. “We come in on Sunday nights and Monday nights, just to make sure they understand our offense and how our defense runs, so they can have a better understanding during practices and games.”

Barrios said she focuses more on the team’s results, rather than her own as a player.

“I think about what my team’s gonna do, not just me. So, you know, if my teammates can find me, then I have to knock it out for them, and if I can find them, then that’s even better; it’s just all about the team and what we can do together,” Barrios said.

Barrios said it is important to take the momentum from last season into this new one.

“The momentum is probably the biggest thing that we are taking from last season. We are not starting a new season; we are just continuing it. So, bringing the momentum and the positive energy from the people around us and the community is really gonna help us,” Barrios said.

Plaisance said the veterans of the team will have to emerge as leaders to help the team mesh together and be successful.

“At the end of the day, what needs to be done is going to be done, and a lot of that is gonna be done through Cassidy and our leadership. We have some great veterans coming back. I’m just really, really excited to see that side- their growth. Everybody thinks ‘we did so much last year,’ and we did, but we are growing, still growing. It’s gonna be a great year,” Plaisance said.

The Colonels begin their season with an exhibition match at Stopher Gym on Thursday at 6 p.m. against the Spring Hill College Badgers.