PORTALES, N.M. – As the calendar turns to November, Eastern New Mexico Women's Basketball are set to begin the 2023-24 campaign at Greyhound Arena as the hosts of the South-Central Region Crossover this weekend. The Greyhounds play their first game on Friday, Nov. 10, against Fort Lewis, with the first tip set for 2:30 p.m. Then, Eastern will tangle with New Mexico Highlands on Saturday, Nov. 11, with an expected start time of 2:30 p.m.
A NEW FACE ON THE BENCH
Making their ENMU coaching debut tomorrow afternoon,
Blake Huber was appointed Head Coach of the women's basketball program in June this past summer. In their last stop, Huber brought Texas A&M-Texarkana to the NAIA national tournament with a record of 29-2, including an undefeated conference record of 20-0. Prior to Texarkana, Huber has served as an assistant for Division II programs, Arkansas Tech, Henderson State, Drury, and Pittsburg State. Also joining Huber on the sideline,
Chris Burks and
Vasha Moore joined the program as assistant coaches this season.
RETURNING GREYHOUNDS
ENMU returns four members of the 2022-23 squad, including seniors
Deja Adrian and
Ashley Shipley. Adrian was named LSC Newcomer of the Year last season after leading the Greyhounds with 17.0 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game. Shipley was lethal from beyond the arc, with a team best 54 made three pointers and second best 3PT shooting percentage (.355).
Julieta Ceja and
Alexandria Sariñana complete the quartet of returners.
NEW FACES AT ENMU
Huber was busy during the off-season, recruiting 12 new Greyhounds to join the roster. The newbies are bolstered by four Division I transfers:
Vanessa Oduah,
Jamila Nansikombi-Gunter,
Tatiana Hodges-Johnson, and
Alecia Whyte. Additionally, five junior college transfers (
Martrice Brooks,
Ishuana Hunter,
Deairah Mays,
Laurie Calixte, and
Adamari Waddell) and three true freshman (
Jaz Salon,
Ariana Sanchez, and
Daci Smith) to round out the roster.
PRESEASON POLL
Eastern was picked to finish 11
th in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll according to league coaches, sports information directors, and media representatives. Eastern garnered 248 total points, with Angelo State being selected to win the LSC title.
SERIES RECORDS
Eastern and the Skyhawks will face each other in the opening weekend for the eighth straight season, with the Greyhounds winning the last four meetings between the squads. The Greyhounds raced out to a 73-58 win in last season meeting, with ENMU holding the all-time series 16-12. The Greyhounds and Cowgirls will battle for the fifth straight season in the opening weekend, with NMHU swiping last year's contest, 55-53. In the all-time series, Eastern leads 41-9 since the state rivalry began in 1975.
