WARNER—It has been 12 years since the Connors State Cowgirls has ended the first semester of play with an impressive record (14-2) and one that Coach Jamie Fisher hopes his club will build on after the Christmas break.
"I am really proud of these girls what they have accomplished," said Fisher. "It has been a long time since we've had a start like this. It's the best start since I've been here (five years)"
When the Cowgirls open the year Fisher returned five players from last season's squad which posted a xx-xx record.
The five returnees include point-guard Tateum Jones from Hugo; point guard Melina Ludlow from Talihina; center Jessica White from Porter; guard Kailen Wright from Wylie, Texas guard Lauren Wright from Wylie, Texas.
"We still have a long way to go. We have talked about our goals, and that's winning a conference title."
Beginning January 6th the Cowgirls will embark on a 14-game Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference schedule.
"This is when it's fun," said Fisher. "Everybody is at fever pitch starting in January. Every game means everything in this league, especially this year."
Cowgirls will open at home against Seminole State, but down the road is Northern Oklahoma-Enid, the defending OCAC and Region II champion, ranked No. 21 in the nation and Redlands Community College, the No. 20th-ranked team in the NJCAA.
Fisher said the league is "very balanced" with four teams "capable of contending for the conference title." Those four teams include NOC-Enid, Redlands CC, Northeastern A&M and Connors State.
The Cowgirls are currently 1-1 in league play with NOC-Enid 3-0 (10-2), Redlands 2-0 (13-0) and Northeastern A&M 2-0 (7-5) in the OCAC.
"We just have to continue to play team basketball and have people step-up every night.
"I am having fun coaching this team. And, it's really fun when you can go home at Christmas with a 14-2 record. I'm excited about this team."
Along with the five returning players two newcomers have played an important role in the Cowgirls first half success, Da'Asia Reid and Chalynn Mayers.
Reid, who is from Cincinnati, Ohio, is a transfer from Tallahassee Community College and Myers a freshman from Muldrow. They are the Cowgirls top scorers averaging 14.0 and 10.6 respectively.