Lady Coyotes bring new attitude to new season

 Bob McKinley paused, smiled and said simply, "Their attitude is the best of almost any team I've ever had. 

"I think we're on the way to getting that special chemistry, which is so important at this level." 

The Weatherford College head women's basketball coach and athletic director believes that attitude and chemistry will help his team turn around last season's 12-17 campaign and battle for a return to the postseason—something fans have come to expect in McKinley's almost 50 years at the helm. It's resulted in him being one of the winningest two-year colleges ever—over 1,000 victories—and having a place in the NJCAA Women's Coaches Hall of Fame. 

The Lady Coyotes feature three returners, including two starters, from last season. Also, another player returning from an injury is expected to make an impact, along with plenty of new talent that brings a smile to McKinley's face. 

Returning starters include sophomore guard Jacque Giron (Houston), who led the team in assists last season (6.4 per game) and was second in steals (1.5) and free throw shooting (80.4 percent). She was honorable mention all-conference. 

Also, back as a starter is sophomore guard Esther Daniels (Arlington). 

"Esther and Jacque could be our best defensive players. Both are just really quick," McKinley said. 

Sophomore guard Andrea Rodriguez (Hermosillo, Mexico) is also back, along with sophomore point guard Anja Djukic (Paracin, Serbia), who has recovered after missing last season with an injury. 

"Anja is the real deal. Having her can make the difference in us being one of the top four teams in the conference and not being," McKinley said. 

Naomi Wilson (Perth, Australia), a 6-foot-3-inch forward who transferred in from Tyler Junior College, is being lauded as a major addition to the program by McKinley. 

"She runs pretty well, scores well. She's got a chance to help us a lot and she comes from a really good program," he said. 

As for the freshman class, they include Klimentina Modeva (Ohrid, Macedonia), a 6-8 post who is believed to be the tallest Lady Coyote McKinley has ever coached. Also new to the team are freshmen Jayda Floyd, guard, Peaster; Pearson McVay, forward, Bryan; Natalia Arseniadou, guard, Athens, Greece; Mya Wesley, guard, Eastland; Zion Hayes, guard, Cartersville, Georgia; Panagiota Kalogirou, guard, Thessaloniki, Greece; Habibi Cisse, forward, Lleida, Spain; Neso Anisiobi, guard, Houston; Ahmaiya Haulcy, guard, Houston; and J'Colby Nicks, guard, Fort Worth. 

"The energy and the attitude they have is fantastic," McKinley said. "The ones we brought back fit in really well with them." 

The Lady Coyotes ended the 2023-24 season with three consecutive victories to finish tied for sixth in the Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference. The top four teams in the final regular season standings advance to the Region V Tournament. 

As he sees his own team getting back into the postseason chase, McKinley believes the conference will be more balanced in 2024-25. 

"I don't know how we can't be just as good as any of them, just on attitude alone," he said.