LAS VEGAS, N.M. – For first year head coach
Brianna Finch and the New Mexico Highlands women's basketball team, the tests will come early and often as the Cowgirls battle top-ranked West Texas A&M Wednesday (Nov. 19) at 6 p.m. before battling Texas-Permian Basin on the road on Saturday (Nov. 22) at 1 p.m. Permain Basin beat West Texas A&M this past weekend.
Also these two games on the heels of two exhibition games against NCAA Division I teams in Northern Arizona and Air Force.
"I am pleased with our first two exhibition games," Finch explained. "The first one was a little tough at Northern Arizona because they were a little bit bigger and physical with us, but we did some good things offensively. It was our first game together as a group so everything was new as far as preparation and how we do things going forward.
"We came out against Air Force and played really well. We were much improved defensively from our first game. It was a three-point game in the second half and we definitely had our opportunities. We rebounded really well with them and had a good first half shooting but struggled a little bit more in the second half," Finch added.
It will be a guard-oriented squad for the Cowgirls in 2014-15 as only
Emma Hart (Sr., 6-0, Los Lunas, New Mexico) is taller than 5-11. However, Highlands will have a bit of experience coming back in
Giulia Simioni (So., 5-6, Zurich, Switzerland),
Jacinda Woodruff (So., 5-5, El Paso, Texas),
Anngelina Sanchez (Sr., 5-9, Summer, Washington) and
Eboni Jacobs (Sr., 5-6, Moreno Valley, California).
"We have a wealth of guards. We have Giulia coming back from her freshman year as started some games and played some decent minutes last season," Finch said. "She will be back mostly at the point guard for us.
Jacinda Woodruff is another returner who played last year and will give us a lot of defense at the one as she is able to pressure the ball and really get into people and be a spark for us.
"At the off guard, we are looking at Anngelina. She will be a senior and she played some minutes last year and will definitely help us. She is explosive to the basket and hopefully we can get her to the free throw line a little more. She had a great game at Air Force and I am excited about what she will bring this year. Eboni will also be back at the two guard as she played her first two years but did not play last year. She has had to work herself back in to playing shape and everything, but she is another explosive player and get to the basket. She can create and she is a good passer off the dribble.
Finally, the Cowgirls will have the services of a local product in
Miranda Martinez (Jr., 5-4, Las Vegas, New Mexico), who was a redshirt last season.
"Miranda is a West Las Vegas kid that has been a really pleasant surprise for us and will also see a lot of minutes at point guard," Finch said.
With 10 players 5-9 and below, the forwards will be an interesting proposition in the upcoming season. While
Jenny Johnson (Senior, 5-10, Tualatin, Oregon) is listed as a guard, she will see time at the three and four position. Jenny is the team's leading returning scorer, averaging 11.3 points per game in 2013-14.
"Jenny is our most experienced player coming back," Finch explained. "She played the most consistent minutes last year and has the ability to go off the dribble and get to the rim. She is strong and has a nice three-point shot.
"We are going to look for some different opportunities with her in mismatches, depending on who matches up with her. We will definitely rely on her experience," Finch added.
Despite only being 5-9,
Claudia Meneses (Sr., 5-9, Las Vegas, Nevada) is the team's leading rebounder through two exhibition games. Against Air Force, she led all rebounders with 14 rebounders.
"Claudia is a phenomenal rebounder, especially for her size, as she has a knack for going where the ball is. She will be important for us on the defensive end as she is so athletic and can create some pressure defensively against other teams' post players," Finch said.
Katie Gannon (Sr., 5-10, Glendora, California) is another players listed as a guard but will see time in the post.
"Katie is a bit of a swing player as we play her a bit at the four, but she is a bit of a stretch four in today's game. She is one of our taller players but is one of our best three point shooters. She will be asked to help defend inside as well. Katie is a great kid and works hard every day and will be very important for us," Finch stated.
Finally, the Cowgirls will be relying on the services of
Brittany Brown (Jr., 5-10, Norco, California),
Michelle Tapia (RFr., 5-11, Las Vegas, New Mexico) and
Emma Hart (Sr., 6-0, Los Lunas, New Mexico) down low.
"Brittany is another player who is an undersized four with the ability to step out and shoot the ball. She is physical, smart and can get to the basket when the defense comes out on her," Finch explained. "Michelle has been coming on strong lately. She is a kid who redshirted last year but is playing really well right now. She is strong and physical, is a good rebounder and is not afraid of contact and we have really worked with her on finishing well. It will be really hard to keep her off the floor.
"Emma is a senior who has had to battle a lot of injuries in her career, but she has worked really hard to rehab. She is our tallest player and if we can get her some minutes, she is a really physical kid. We are working on her finishing but she has definitely worked hard in getting back and will get some minutes this year," Finch added.
If the schedule was not difficult enough this season, it will continue with a trip to Southern Utah (Nov. 29) and Texas-Permian Basin returning a trip to Las Vegas on Dec. 2. The ever-difficult, 22 game conference schedule kicks off in the Wilson Complex Dec. 5 against Colorado Christian. The Cowgirls have three games against teams who received votes in the preseason Top-25 (Colorado Mesa Dec. 13 and Feb. 13 and Black Hills State Jan. 17).
Besides the games against 2014 NCAA Tournament Teams Colorado Mesa (Sweet 16) and West Texas A&M (National Title Game), the Cowgirls have a pair of games against 2014 NCAA participant CSU-Pueblo (Dec. 20 and Jan. 30).
"Going forward, we have four tough games right before conference, starting with top-ranked West Texas A&M Wednesday. We play Texas-Permian Basin twice, who just beat West Texas and go to Southern Utah. I think we have our work cut out for us but it is a good challenge. If nothing else, it will prepare us for what we will see in the RMAC," Finch said.
