Carthage, TX – The Panola College women's basketball team begins its fourth season under Head Coach Eddie Kite. Coach Kite states, "We are excited about this upcoming year. We have returned, as well as added some players we believe will be productive for us. We have added new assistant coach Chelsea Hudson to the staff. She brings knowledge of the game and success not only as a former division one player at Tennessee State University, but also a coach. The culture of hard work and buy in are reflected from our staff which we believe that will continue to set the tone in elevating our program this season."
The Panola Fillies bring back six returners in Patience Okpe (2017 NJCAA All Star Game Participant), Stefany Lorenco, Daria Eremeeva, Ekaterina Karchevskaya , Nailah Blount, and Victoria Rushing. They bring a solid and experienced sophomore class that were instrumental in the success of last season. Accompanying them are transfers Jaye Cage, Savannah Jackson, and Destiny Ephrom who will add more college experience to the program. Freshmen Weronika Nowakowska and Maryia Adashchik round out the team, and bring along with them a mental toughness developed internationally.
The Panola Fillies host seven international players coming to Panola from Russia, Brazil, Poland, Belarus, and Nigeria. With so many different cultural backgrounds, one might find it somewhat difficult to build unity, but that is the opposite for this team. Coach Kite explains "Our girls bring so many different styles of play. They have learned to feed and play off one another. Yes you hear many different languages throughout practice, and there is translation that must take place, but overall the girls buy in. The kids have put in work mentally and physically this preseason." Though the Fillies boast many cultures, there is one common goal; win Region 14 and advance to the NJCAA National Tournament in Lubbock, TX.
This seasons schedule will includes 19 Region 14 conference games, 11 games against teams ranked in the top 20 last season, 13 homes games, and three none-conference classics. The Fillies' regular season tips off November 3th and 4th in Jacksonville.