General 1/1/2019 11:58:00 AM LC Sports Information - Brad Welborn

The LC Basketball Resurgence

General 1/1/2019 11:58:00 AM LC Sports Information - Brad Welborn

The LC Basketball Resurgence

Louisiana College basketball is out to its best start in the last 20 years. And it's not just one team that is finding success on the floor, it's both the men and women, with a combined 16 wins through 21 total games.

The win total is the most by the two teams at this point in the season since Louisiana College joined the NCAA in 2000. The women have a 6-4 overall record, while the men are at 10-1, their best ever start to a season in the NCAA era behind a 10-game winning streak, the first time such a streak has reached double figures.

Both teams are riddled with veteran leadership. The women return three key senior guards that have helped lead the way on the floor and with the transition of first-year head coach Matt LeBato. The men also return the bulk of last year's starters but have added some key pieces through the junior college ranks that have added more depth and experience to the squad.

"I think the biggest thing for us has been the girls hard work and commitment everyday to what we're trying to put in and them buying in," LeBato said. "We can do all the X's and O's and try and make adjustments and all that but it doesn't work unless they come in with the mind frame of trying to get better everyday.

"We're hard to game plan against because of the different ways we can play and that's helped us too. I thought coming in it was going to be high pressure man-to-man but we've played a lot of zone this year. We're not really leading in a lot of statistical categories but we're figuring out how to win games and making adjustments along the way. But all goes back to the girls and wanting to make those adjustments in game and in practice."

The Lady Wildcats only have one player averaging double figures in scoring this year with senior leader Kourtney McGhee leading the way at 13.5 points per game, putting her 10^thon the conference leader board. They have three other players however averaging more than 9.0 points per game, showcasing the versatility of the offense. As a team the Wildcats are ranked third in the ASC at 73.6 points per game and in field goal percentage at 42.6 percent.

The LC men however have had a very clear place to hang their hats this year, the defense. While the Wildcats have plenty of offensive playmakers like big man Devon Washington around the basket and Lashard Powell, Kae'ron Baker, and Jaylen Rhone at the guard spot it has been the defense that has been dominant thus far. The Wildcats are first in the ASC in defensive scoring, holding opponents to 68.0 points per game on 37.8 percent shooting.

"The addition of Coach Prather and the like mindset of what we want to do defensively and our young men buying in to it has been a perfect for Devon and Trey Ames to be great rim protectors," Head Coach Reni Mason said. "But everyone works in sync and we never let up no matter what the scoreboard says.

"We still have a long way to go but I've been pleased with the effort they've given thus far. That speaks to the coaching staff and the guys that are putting Louisiana College across their chest every night."

In the first year with a roster made up of entirely Mason recruits, the Wildcats have won 10 games in a row, their only loss coming by two points in the season opener at Birmingham-Southern. The Wildcats are the only remaining unbeaten in American Southwest Conference play through the first two weekends of play and will put that mark to the test this week as they return to conference play at H.O. West Fieldhouse, their first home games of the season.

"We are excited about the outstanding start of the basketball season as exhibited by our men's and women's teams," Louisiana College President Dr. Rick Brewer said. "The hard work Coach Mason has invested over the past three years is yielding tremendous results.

"And, we couldn't be more excited about the success first year head coach Matt LeBato is experiencing with a veteran squad determined to exceed last year's excellent season under former Head Coach Patrice Carter. Both teams' wins all come on the road, which portends preparation for post-season advancement."

Both Wildcat teams open their ASC home schedule on January 3 with a doubleheader against Concordia at H.O. West Fieldhouse. After more than two months on the road, LC has six home dates during the month of January as they make the final push towards the conference tournament.

Stay connected to Louisiana College basketball by following @LC_MBSK and @LC_WBB on Twitter. For general athletics new follow @LC_Wildcats on Twitter or like Louisiana College Wildcats on Facebook.

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