As the 2011-2012 season approaches, the Lady Bulldogs prepare both physically and mentally for the inescapable challenges of the new year. Hoping to build off of progress made last spring when the Bulldogs won three of their last four games, the team has high expectations for the upcoming season.
Along with a new team made up of several freshman players, the Lady Dogs face new team goals and a preseason ranking of No. 11 in the SEC, a ranking lower than expected.
As with any team, the chemistry of the Bulldogs will be crucial in order to win games. According to head coach Sharon Fanning-Otis, chemistry for the team this year will be no problem.
“It seems as though people are finding their niche,” Fanning-Otis said.
Echoing this confidence is freshman guard Kendra Grant of Richland, Miss., who is expected to start in the lineup at the shooting guard spot.
“Even starting in the summer, you can feel (team chemistry) automatically. We can read each other on the floor and even off the court. Everyone’s cool with everyone,” Grant said.
With Grant in the proposed starting lineup, the players must also learn and understand their roles on the team.
“As far as my role, I know it and I’m looking forward to filling that role,” Grant said. “I’m not like the program changer, but I’ll be getting in the game and trying to help out.”
Experienced senior point guard Diamber Johnson has been called upon by her teammates and coaches to serve as a team leader this season.
“Diamber is the one who has to step up and be the leader, but there has to be other people pulling their own weight in their own categories,” Fanning-Otis said.
Johnson’s fellow teammate senior forward Danielle Rector agrees with her coach.
“Even last year, Johnson was our leader. There’s more consistency in practice from her everyday,” said Rector. “I don’t think anyone would dispute that this is her team. It’s pretty much known that where Diamber goes, the team goes.”
After a season of unreliable health, Rector claims she is back to 100 percent and ready for the new season.
As a group, the six seniors of the team must play by this important team motto: Our Time.
“‘Our Time.’ The seniors have to embrace that because this is their time. And they will be remembered for something as they leave here,” Fanning-Otis said.
Along with Johnson and Rector, this year’s seniors include guard Porsha Porter, center Judith Tabala, forward Ashley Brown and center Catina Bett. The experience of these players will add to the raw talent presented by the incoming freshmen group.
Johnson and Porter return as two of the three top scorers of the 2010-2011 season.
With a preseason ranking of No. 11 in the SEC, the team already faces a challenge to redefine the expectations others have of the Mississippi State women’s basketball program.
“We’re gonna go out to not prove anybody wrong but to prove ourselves right,” said Johnson. “We know what we have this year, and we’re a lot farther than where we were (last year).”
Along with the rest of the players, Johnson said she believes there is a better understanding of the capabilities of this year’s team and the success it can have.
“They understand the word consistency; they understand work ethic. They understand our system better,” said Fanning-Otis. “They have an understanding this year that they did not have last year, so that is very, very positive.”
Because of such an understanding, coaches believe in something special about the team. This year
the Lady Bulldogs will focus on
 
 
another important motto: “Relentless Effort. Team Victory.”  Coaches said they believe if the players constantly work toward this goal of always displaying “relentless effort,” the season will meet the high expectations they have set.
“We live up to or down to our expectations,” Fanning-Otis said. “I expect us to be competing in the top of this league.”
Of course, coaches and players realize without a preseason made of vigorous and focused practices, these expectations will not be met. But Fanning-Otis said she believes her team will sacrifice now in order to reap benefits later.
“You have to be willing to pay the price to prepare,” Fanning-Otis said. “The will to prepare to win is greater than the will to win.”
The Lady Bulldogs face their first official opponent on Nov. 11 against Jacksonville State.