Liberal arts sophomore Shadia Williams blocks veterinary freshman Scarlett Suarez during a one-on-one drill during women’s basketball tryouts Sept. 6 in Candler. Daniel Arguelles
After original tryout, coach calls for another today before making final roster decisions.
By Michael Peters
mpeters28@student.alamo.edu
This college’s women’s basketball team was hard at work during tryouts Sept. 6 in Gym 2 of Candler Physical Education Center.
Kelby Rowe, fire science freshman and women’s basketball coach, will lead the team in their attempt to make the return of basketball to this college a successful one.
Rowe began tryouts with light warmups before starting the first drill.
The students formed a straight line and ran around the perimeter of the court. Each time Rowe blew the whistle, the woman in the back of the line ran to the front of the line.
The one-on-one drill was next, which involved one player with the ball and the other playing defense.
Rowe wanted to see lockdown defense during this drill.
“Let’s go defense,” Rowe shouted.
Next, the students competed in the 3-on-2 offense vs. defense drill.
Rowe stressed to his players that he wanted to hear communication on defense.
The defense dominated the drill, but the offense ended the drill with a bucket.
The students competed in a shooting drill next.
On one end of the floor, the student received a pass and took a jump shot from the free-throw line extended. The student then ran to the other end of the court, received a pass and shot from the same spot.
Criminal justice sophomore Kim Alonso stood out in the shooting drill as she drew cheers from her teammates on each successful jump shot.
For the remainder of the tryout, the students competed in a full-court five-on-five drill.
The first team to 3 points wins and stays on the court while another team replaces the losing team.
Again, Rowe stressed communication on defense.
“Find your man,” Rowe shouted. “I don’t hear talking!”
There was a scare during the drill when fire science sophomore Jennifer Gonzales rolled her ankle diving for a loose ball.
Gonzales elected to stay on the court instead of being subbed out.
After the tryout ended, Rowe addressed his players at center court.
“I like what I saw,” Rowe said. “We’re going to work hard together and work as a team. We’re a family.”
Rowe was pleased with the turnout of 21 students and estimated he will have to cut four or five players.
Rowe said he thought the students were good and they brought their “A” game.
“We have to improve our communication and help defense,” Rowe said.
Rowe wants a family atmosphere around the team.
“No one is above anyone else,” Rowe said. “We win as a team, and we lose as a team.”
Rowe said he wants his team to play with honor, courage and commitment.
“Not just commitment on the floor but in the classroom as well,” Rowe said.
The season starts at 6 p.m. Oct. 16 at Southwest Texas Junior College, 2401 Garner Field Road in Uvalde.
Rowe has called for a second tryout before making cuts, which takes place 1 p.m-3 p.m. today in Gym 2 of Candler.
For more information, call Rowe at 210-214-0333.
