By Benny Rogers/TVCC Sports Information
The 2013-14 basketball season tips off on the road Saturday for the Trinity Valley Community College women’s and men’s teams.
The two-time defending national champion Lady Cardinals are scheduled to open at Arkansas Baptist College in a 3 p.m. tipoff. The Cardinals start their season in Plano at Collin County College against Ranger at 4 p.m.
The Cardinals are also scheduled for action Sunday in Plano against Midland in a noon start.
Both TVCC teams are scheduled to make their home debuts Tuesday at Cardinal Gym. The Lady Cardinals face Coastal Bend in a 5:30 p.m. tipoff and the Cardinals go against the Texas Riders at 8 p.m.
LADY CARDINALS
The No. 1-ranked Lady Cardinals went 36-1 last year (36-0 on the court) in claiming a second straight national title and the college’s seventh overall. On the court, they have won 72 straight games, but are officially bringing a 25-game winning streak into the season.
Sophomores returning from last year are Adut Bulgak (6-4), Roddricka Patton (5-4), Shlonte’ Allen (5-9), Julianne Anchling (6-3), Kyhonta Doughty (6-1) and Dominque Brooks (6-4).
Coach Elena Lovato’s lineup will be bolstered by sophomore transfers Kuaneshia “Coco” Baker (LSU) and Deborah Meeks (Washington). Both are 5-9 guards.
Region XIV Conference play opens Dec. 4 at home against Paris.
CARDINALS
The Cardinals posted a 20-win season and nabbed a win in the Region XIV Tournament in Kris Baumann’s first season as head coach.
The Cardinals have been picked to finish fourth in the East Zone by league coaches after going 20-12 overall and 10-9 in conference play a year ago.
Octavius Ellis is the lone player returning from last year’s squad. The 6-10 sophomore recently committed to Arizona State. Ellis had originally signed with Cincinnati before transferring to TVCC.
The Cardinals are expecting big things from newcomers Patrick Ingram (6-2) and Josh Robinson. Ingram is a 6-2 combo guard transfer from Iowa. Robinson is a 6-5 shooting guard.
The Cardinals are scheduled to open conference play at home Nov. 26 against San Jacinto.