By Ethan Moore, Sports Reporter.
The constant turnover of talent is one of the things Kelly Miller, Delta’s women’s basketball coach, loves about coaching at the junior college level. It gives her the opportunity to constantly recruit new talent while still developing her players for two years.
“I am far too aware of the constant turnover at the Juco (junior college) level,” says Miller.
Miller is going into her 20th year as part of the Pioneer’s coach staff and her 17th year as head coach. She knows what to expect as the women’s basketball team must replace five players this season, all of whom started at one point during the 2014-2015 season.
“We are blessed and cursed being able to guide and teach student athletes for only two years. Every year I get to recruit new talented freshmen to come mix with our sophomores that have developed knowledge and experience,” says Miller.
The Lady Pioneers are coming off a 15-12 season which saw them defeated by Schoolcraft 77-71 in the tournament that ended their season. It was a tough loss in which they led by 10 points at halftime, but were unable to close the deal in the second half.
“I think last year’s team was full of so much talent and having experienced such success as freshman, they didn’t always work as hard as they should as sophomores,” says Miller. “The beauty of having a new team this year is that you can set high expectations and start from the beginning. There are no bad habits or excuses or even the mentality that we have won before or should even win now… They understand nothing is going to be handed to them.”
Coach Miller has a new sense of excitement when speaking about the upcoming season and the new team she’s put together.
“I am very happy with the incoming freshman and the two strong sophomores we’re returning. I believe they have the work ethic and mentality to learn quickly and rise to the challenge of the more physical and quicker paced game at the college level.”
The veteran coach has nothing but praise for the incoming freshmen. The team includes: Brooke Schutte, a leader both verbally and by action; Jenna Szostak, who isn’t afraid to put the game on her shoulders and brings a much needed shooter’s mentality; Nyashia Williams, who is described as having great handles and being a huge offensive threat this year; Ashley Lee brings length and scrappy defense to the table; Kenisha Newsom is a versatile, difficult to defend recruit who can play any position on the court; Lauren Rogers brings a strong post game yet brings a sweet stroke from midrange; Chelsea Casper who Miller describes as a much needed role player who is very consistent and a player who any coach would be lucky to have.
After 20 years Miller is still excited every season to come back and coach.
“My favorite aspect of coaching is my players. To see how they each grow as people and as players is priceless to me. I believe my players see how much I believe in them and see how we are all a family helping one another achieve our individual and team goals, that together we find a way to overcome all of our obstacles and win together.”
