Preview of BU Women’s Basketball 2024-2025
As the 2024-2025 Bluefield University women’s basketball season begins, winning and having fun is in the books for the team. After a losing record in the previous season, the team hopes to turn things around this year, be very competitive, have fun, and develop under the leadership of new head coach Jake Wright.
Reflecting on Last Season
The 2023-2024 season was a test of the team’s endurance and dedication. The Lady Rams showed progress, overcoming tough matches and showcasing their talent. Despite finishing with an overall record of 4-23, the team established themselves as tough competitors in the Appalachian Athletic Conference.
“It was a tough loss,” Coach Wright shared after one competitive game, “but the girls played extremely hard and fought for 40 minutes. They will bounce back from it better than ever.”
Key Returning Players
This season, the Lady Rams are fortunate to have several key players returning. Veteran Destiny Long, who is known for her scoring ability and leadership on the court, will be a crucial strength.
“Offensively, Destiny has really stepped up her game and is pulling a big part of our offensive production,” Coach Wright said.
Alongside her, Elle Gunter, is set to continue securing the team’s rebounds. The contributions of these returning players will be balanced by the agility and sharp shooting of veteran Ahmiah Jordan. Defensively, the team will look for Lina Pagán to lead the way.
“Lina has stepped up the intensity on the defensive side and is playing with great passion and fire,” Wright said.
Tactical Shifts and Strategy
Looking ahead, the 2024-2025 season will likely see some tactical shifts as Coach Wright highlights a faster and higher-intensity style of game. The coaching staff has been focusing on conditioning and refining plays that help out in areas such as speed and accuracy, aiming to take advantage of mismatches and create easier scoring opportunities.
“Our goals for this year are to improve every day,” Coach Wright said, “and begin the process of building a culture from the foundation up.”
Schedule and Key Match-ups
The season’s schedule is packed with many competitive match-ups in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC), including a few rivalries, but Coach Wright said the preparation for those games will be the same as any other.
“We will prepare like a normal game, focused on our team and how we play,” Wright said of rivalry match-ups. “Hopefully, we’ll be the most prepared team.”
Ultimately, the Lady Rams hope to qualify for the AAC post-season tournament, which allows them to get as far as they can without ending the season.
A Season Full of Potential
With a mix of skilled players, the 2024-2025 Bluefield University women’s basketball team is ready to make a significant impact. As games progress, fans, students, and the BU community can look forward to a season full of determination, teamwork, and having fun while playing basketball. Coach Wright is optimistic about the future.
“I believe our chemistry is building every day and continues to go in the right direction, creating a true Ramily,” he said.