Preview: Comet basketball team opens campaign with road loss

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

In a season-opening road-clash with St. Louis College of Pharmacy Monday evening, the Cottey Comet basketball team fell, 78-63.

Despite the set-back, head coach Stephanie Beason and her squad are hopeful for a bounce-back campaign on the hardwood.

In their inaugural season after making the jump from two-year junior college to four-year NAIA, the Comets concluded 1-19 overall last year.

"We have a more balanced schedule compared to (last) season," Beason noted.

The Comets return their leading scorer from a season ago, senior captain Kelsey Acton. Acton, a 5-foot-7 shooting guard, averaged 15 point and 5.5 rebounds per game as a junior, and has led the Comets in scoring each of her three previous seasons.

“I’m ready for the season," Acton said. "I’ve found myself surrounded by some incredible, hard working athletes, that I get to call my teammates. I know that however far we (go) this season, it will be a direct-result of the effort and dedication put forth by each of us — as we work together to succeed.”

The Comets' roster is comprised of eight players, with four returnees from the 2018-19 team.

“Each one of us brings something essential to the floor, and I’m ready to push our limits and see what we can achieve together," Acton said. "It’s hard knowing I’m near the end of the road here at Cottey, but I have no doubt this season will be an extraordinary finish to my basketball career."

Guard Latasha Griggs is Cottey's other returning senior.

“This season, Latasha will be called upon to play a larger role on the team,” Beason said. "She’s the type of athlete that can be explosive on any given night, and I’m looking forward to seeing her hit her full potential this season.”

As a result of Cottey's acceptance into the NAIA, Acton and Griggs become the first two players in program history to play four seasons.

“Both are amazing young women, who have a bright future within their careers,” Beason said. “It has truly been an honor to coach them all four years at Cottey. The growth and maturity that I have seen in them during their time at Cottey has been remarkable, and I’m looking forward to seeing everything they accomplish during their final season.”

Cottey also returns sophomores Cassie Ogden and August Earls.

Ogden, a 5-foot-7 small forward, averaged 3.6 points and three rebounds per game prior to suffering a season-ending injury during the team's conference-opener last season.

Ogden is already off to a good start, dropping in 10 points in Monday's season-opener in St. Louis.

"While her season was cut short last year, she will be depended on to fill the void of scoring from last year's departed players," Beason said of the Archie (Mo.) product.

Expected to have a major impacts are freshmen Taylor Coonce and Olivia Pruitt.

The 5-foot-8 Coonce played point guard for Rich Hill High School, but is slotted in at forward for Cottey. Coonce is coming off a monster senior campaign at Rich Hill, averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds a game.

“Taylor has done a great job adjusting to the different style and pace of the game thus far,” Beason said.

“She still has a few adjustments to make, but her athleticism and scoring capabilities are going to make her a fun player to coach, and for fans to watch.”

Illinois-native Pruitt is projected to slot into the lead-guard role. In her debut against College of Pharmacy, Pruitt finished with 10 points and six rebounds.

Added Beason: "Olivia will be looked upon to be the floor general from the point guard position. I first watched Olivia in an NAIA showcase in Kansas City during her senior season. She was by far one of the better point guards on the court. We will be dependent on her to keep our offense organized throughout the season. I have high expectations for Olivia, with her capabilities and her level-headed demeanor on the court."

Said Pruitt prior to her collegiate debut: "I’m nervous, but excited to play with new teammates and experience a different level of competition. I’m physically and mentally prepared, and ready to play to the best of my ability.”

Rounding out the Comets' 2019-20 roster are freshmen Tatem Edeler and Lindsey Talavera. The 5-foot-9 Edeler is slated to miss the first couple games of the season, as she is also a member of the Cottey volleyball team.

“Both Tatem and Lindsey have a knack for getting in position for rebounding opportunities,” Beason began. “Tatem will be an exponential benefit to the team as an inside presence, reading the ball off the rim, and getting into rebounding position — while Lindsey will release her block-out, and fly after the ball."

Cottey (0-1) returns to the court Friday for a matchup with Nebraska Christian College, in Bellevue (Neb.). Cottey then squares off with Bellevue University on Saturday, at the same location. Cottey's home-opener is slated for Nov. 6, against William Woods University.

“The chemistry and work ethic of this year’s team is a lot like last year's," Beason said. "Last year, our biggest struggle was on the offensive end of the floor. We have added a group of freshmen that will look to combat last year's struggles."

Beason continued: "(We) have the expectation that our returners have improved, and learned a lot from last season, to remedy some of our issues from the past. We are looking forward to getting the season underway. This group has put in a ton of effort in the preseason, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can accomplish this season.”

See a future edition for all the latest on Cottey Comet basketball

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