Root to Rise

As we prepare to begin another exciting season, I could not help but relate our upcoming year to a blog theme I read recently. The blog was titled “Root to Rise” and discussed how important it is to establish a strong root system or foundation in order to rise to the top. Last season could be considered a time in which our young team went through to process of “growing roots.” Last year our roster was filled with youth and inexperience; however, those young ladies invested whole heartedly in Cowgirl Basketball. This season I am excited about returning a great foundation that has all the potential to rise to the top! In addition to our returners, we feel that our incomers will also make an impact this year as our season progresses. Excitement, anxiousness, anticipation, eagerness are all feeling that are so wonderful about this time of year.
Go Cowgirls!
~Coach Briggs

Play Hard; Play Together; Play Smart

The legendary Dean Smith’s philosophy, mission statement, strategic plan, and approach to the game of basketball was summed up by these three things – play hard, play together, and play smart. Our team this season continues to mature and grow through the course of our game experiences. Some of those lessons have been tough because they have invested and continue to invest so much of their time, effort, sweat, and tears into this season and program. From a coaching perspective, I have always admired the successful career of Dean Smith and how he and his programs were always defined by Class. Recently, when reading his book, The Carolina Way, his philosophy and foundation truly stood out to me. I had heard it many times but in respect to our season thus far it really related to what we as coaches and players are constantly striving for each day. I feel our team this year has grasped the first two concepts of playing hard and playing together; however, we are continuing to work on the playing smart. I have been so inspired by this team because of their relentless work effort in practice – showing up every day to compete. I also feel like we have developed a sense of selflessness in which our team does not care about their individual stats, rather our team stats following a game. If we can continue to mature as a team by playing smart, I feel we will all reap the rewards of our efforts. I also feel that playing smart comes only with “experience.” Once we consistently execute and maintain our composure, learning that each possession is extremely valuable, great things will happen on the court!!

~Coach Briggs

Time to start conference play

Amazingly enough, it is already time to start ASC Conference play beginning this Saturday with Mississippi College. This past weekend we had the opportunity to play Trinity and St. Olaf and overall it was an encouraging start. Like usual in the beginning of the season, we are in the process of learning to play together and figuring out everyone’s strengths and how to best use them to be successful. We are all looking forward to continuing that as we travel to Clinton, Mississippi and Pineville, Louisiana. Our young ladies seem determined to get better every time they step on the court, whether that is for practice or a game. As a coach, that is a crucial ingredient for us to meet our 2009-10 season goals. We hope to you at our home opener Thursday, December 3rd versus University of Texas at Tyler. Go Cowgirls!

~Coach Briggs

Inspired

Basketball season is truly upon us and will be in full swing starting this Friday. We open our season in a Tip-Off Classic at Trinity University. It will be a weekend of tough competition, which is exactly what we need in order to prepare for ASC Conference play beginning next week. As of right now, I feel anxious anticipation and excitement about our upcoming season. Obviously, we have extremely high expectations and I believe our players are dedicated to the daily commitment it will take to meet them. More than anything right now though, I feel INSPIRED by our Cowgirl and Cowboy soccer teams who are both ASC Conference CHAMPIONS and are in the NCAA Sweet 16. Our program will strive to continue the traditions of HSU Athletics! It is great to be a COWGIRL!

~Coach Briggs