Lady Coyotes extend turnaround season into regional tournament

After missing out on the NJCAA Region V Basketball Tournament each of the past two seasons, the Weatherford College Lady Coyotes are back where they were a mainstay for decades. 

WC (20-10, 11-6 in the Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference) secured their postseason berth by working overtime. They defeated Temple (20-11, 10-7) 78-64 on Monday at Hill College to finish fourth in the conference. 

"It's a good feeling. It's always great for the girls to get the exposure," Lady Coyotes coach Bob McKinley said. "This group has been really special. They put forth a consistent effort in practice and all games." 

That win earned WC a spot opposite New Mexico Junior College (27-2, 12-2, co-champions of the Western Athletic Junior College Athletic Conference) on Thursday at 1 p.m. at McLennan Community College in Waco. New Mexico is ranked No. 3 in the country. 

Ironically, the game is a rematch of the last time the Lady Coyotes reached the regional tournament in 2022. In that game Weatherford College almost pulled off an upset before falling 79-75. 

"They're evidently not unbeatable," McKinley said. "But New Mexico has just about everything you need to win. But if we're making shots, we've got a chance to beat just about anybody." 

WC is enjoying its best women's basketball season since going 16-8 in the COVID-19 shortened 2020-21 season. That season, the team reached the Region V final, falling 74-72 to Hill College. 

This is also the first time the Lady Coyotes have won 20 games in a season since going 22-9 in the 2019-20 season. 

Despite ending last season with a 12-17 record, there was optimism at the end as they finished with a three-game winning streak. That was followed by a 6-1 start to this season. 

The Lady Coyotes, however, are looking for their first win against a nationally ranked opponent this season. They are 0-2 against No. 10 McLennan and No. 23 Grayson, both of whom are also in the NTJCAC, though they did throw a scare into each before dropping a 56-53 contest to McLennan and falling 59-53 to Grayson in home games. 

WC is 4-4 in games decided by six points or less. 

The Lady Coyotes have accomplished their success with a roster that features 11 freshmen and just four sophomores. Two of those freshmen are among the league leaders in several statistical categories. 

Neso Anisiobi is tied for the conference lead in rebounds (8.3 average), ranks eighth in points per game (13.8) and third in field goal percentage (49.3). Pearson McVay is third in rebounds (7.9 average) and sixth in field goal percentage (45.5). 

The top sophomore statistically is Jacque Giron. She leads the conference in assists (6.4 average), is fourth in 3-point field goal percentage (34.7), sixth in scoring average (14.8) and seventh in field goal percentage (44.6). 

As a team, the Lady Coyotes' scoring average is up almost six points to 73.4 from last season's 67.8. Defensively, they are holding opponents to 61.9 points, down drastically from last season's 74.4.