A 22-13 record that included playing in the conference final and making a return trip to the NAIA National Tournament is by no means an unsuccessful season, but for Coach Martha Gore-Algernon, the 2002-03 season was one of unrealized potential and goals.

“Last year’s team definitely underachieved,” said the 2001-02 GCAC Coach of the Year. “We had very high expectations for that group of ladies and we fell short. I believe that the returning players realize their missed opportunity. Looking forward, I think they now realize that success comes down to attitude.”

Returning eight players from last season, including four seniors, the Rams look poised to generate the same chemistry that vaulted them into the second round of the national tournament just two seasons ago. It is the senior contingent that will be looked upon to provide leadership, something that Coach Gore-Algernon feels is essential to generating chemistry; a crucial element needed for success.

“The returning players will be able to bring along the five newcomers and put us right back into the mix,” Coach Gore-Algernon said.

A former member of the Jamaican National Team, Sherie Lattimore enters her senior year ready to continue her stifling defense and exciting play on the open floor. What Coach Gore-Algernon hopes will be a bit different is the overall impact and numbers that Lattimore puts up.

“Every year Sherie is slowly improving, but we are really going to need some big things out of her this season,” Coach Gore-Algernon said.

The 5’ 8” shooting guard, who also can play the swing position, pocketed 35 steals last season and will work to nab more this season. Averaging over 4.0 ppg, Lattimore will look to improve upon an Assist-to-Turnover ratio that was less than one last season.

Another senior who must step up her game this year is Rachel Farmer. A native of Mobile, Farmer came to the team from Mobile Christian. While Farmer started in only one of the 17 games that she played in last season, Coach Gore-Algernon believes that Farmer is ready for a breakout season.

“Rachel has improved every year and it's time for her to produce,” said Coach Gore-Algernon. “She hasn't contributed in minutes played as much as she hoped to, but now I feel that her time has come. She has been working hard over the summer and, hopefully, her senior year will be the year she makes her biggest contribution to the team.”

Trevor Chandler, a 6’ 0” senior forward, played in every game last season and logged some valuable minutes in the paint. Chandler, like most of the other seniors, is very excited about the upcoming season.

“Trevor really felt like she wasn’t in sync last season, and I really believe last year was a big learning experience for her,” said Coach Gore-Algernon. “She is ready for her senior year. Like most other seniors, she is ready to go out and prove what they failed to prove last year.”

Keli Saragusa, the final member of the 2003-04 senior class, is a 5' 7" guard hailing from Independence, Louisiana. After battling through a knee injury last season, Saragusa is ready to get off to a quick start this season.

“This past year she struggled a lot, but since then she has physically gotten stronger and that has helped her confidence and self-esteem,” said Coach Gore-Algernon. “I'm looking forward to seeing some big things from Keli this season.”

Freshman phenom Crystal Coston will look to improve upon a 2002-03 campaign that culminated in garnering 3rd Team All-American honors. A 6' 0" center from Thomasville, Alabama, Coston averaged 14.8 ppg, grabbed nearly 10.0 rpg, and was named 2002-03 GCAC “Freshman of the Year.” She was also named to the All-Conference team.

“Crystal matured as a person and a player throughout last season,” said Coach Gore-Algernon. “We did rely on her a lot down the stretch. A lot of times she just carried the team on her shoulders. She is ready to handle that type of pressure and challenge.”

Another player looking to make a big impact on the court this season is Jessica Barber. A junior from Franklinton, Louisiana, Barber came in her freshman season and showed a lot of promise. A starter as a freshman, she made big contributions during that 2001-02 season and ultimately saved her best stuff for the national tournament that year. She scored 12 points and dished out 8 assists in a first round win against Shorter College. Last season however, she suffered through what some call the sophomore slump.

“I'm looking forward to Jessica returning with the fire she had as a freshman,” said Coach Gore-Algernon. “Freshmen generally work harder because they are just enthused and ready to go to work. I think she is back to that mentality.”

The most versatile player in the Rams lineup is junior guard/forward Sasha Lilly who comes to Mobile from Columbiana, Alabama. Playing in all 35 games last season, Lilly sometimes played as many as three or four positions in one game. According to Coach Gore-Algernon, Lilly is the type of player who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. She is never one to complain, is very athletic and her experience will be vital to the team. Her court discipline follows her to the classroom as well, as she will graduate in May 2004.

“Sasha was willing to do whatever it took,” said Coach Gore-Algernon. “Wherever we needed her last year, she was willing to play. Hopefully, with a full team coming in this year, she will be able to concentrate on one or two positions instead of three or four like she was forced to do last season.”

The last of the returning players for the Rams this season is sophomore Kinga Rybarczyk. Rybarczyk, a 6’ 0” center from Poznan, Poland, is a very skilled player who brings a lot of experience with her to the floor. Rybarczyk, who previously played on Poland's Junior National Team, played a lot of minutes during her freshman season and will be expected to contribute just as much this season.

“Kinga was disappointed with her season last year,” said Coach Gore-Algernon. “I felt she did fine. She was coming into a new country, a new environment and she had to make all of those adjustments. She feels like she can do more for us, and I agree. She's one of the hardest workers of everyone returning. She spends a lot of time in the gym, and her work ethic is a great example to others on the team.”

Into this core of returners, Coach Gore-Algernon will integrate five new players. According to the Rams’ head coach, they will be competing just as hard for spots as the returning players.

“The Fall practices are going to be fun and exciting for me," said Coach Gore-Algernon. “They will be challenging because the freshmen are competing for some starting positions, and the upperclassmen are going to have to work extremely hard if they don't want to give up their spots.”

Erica Martens is an incoming freshman this season and comes to the University after having finished her high school career at Faith Academy in Mobile, Alabama. Martens averaged 15.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg and 6.0 apg in her four years at Faith Academy. She was named the MVP of the state tournament and All-Star game, as well as being named the “Player of the Year” by the AISA.

“Erica will be able to provide us with some good minutes this year,” said Coach Gore-Algernon. “She is a hard worker, hard-nosed. She is very skilled and has a basketball mind. All of those things will be very beneficial to us this season. We are just looking for her to jump in and catch on quickly.”

Sanora Cole is an incoming freshman from Scotlandville Magnet High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Cole put up incredible numbers her senior year of high school en route to her McDonald’s All-American nomination. She nearly averaged a triple-double, with 20.6 ppg, 15.2 rpg, 9.5 steals per game and 2.2 blocks per game.

“Sanora is very athletic and very talented,” said Coach Gore-Algernon. “She received various awards as a high school athlete. We are looking forward to seeing how she will adjust to the college game and how she will contribute to the team.”

Rheonda Leary joins her high school teammate Sanora Cole at the University of Mobile this Fall. Leary, a 6’ 0” center, averaged a double-double her senior season at Scotlandville Magnet High School in Baton Rouge, Lousiana. She scored 11.5 ppg and grabbed 12.4 rpg. She also came away with 4.3 steals and 4.8 blocks a contest.

“Rheonda is a very physical, strong player with a soft touch,” said Coach Gore-Algernon. “We're going to need her to give us some minutes in the paint. She is a very smart young lady in the classroom. She is very academically-minded and a great athlete. We know she is going to be able to help us out.”

A'frica Boykin from Daphne, Alabama, is a former three-time All-County player at Daphne High where she averaged nearly 11 points, six rebounds and four assists a game her senior season.

“A’frica will make a perfect fit for the University of Mobile as far as the institution and the basketball team,” said Coach Gore-Algernon. “She is a hard worker and a team leader. There is no doubt she will be successful here.”

Finally, Shira Williams comes to the team from McGill-Toolen High School in Mobile, Alabama. Williams was a Sweet 16 Honorable Mention her senior season, averaging 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal a game.

“Shira is a team player and works very hard,” said Coach Gore-Algernon. “She comes from a strong women’s basketball program, and it's always a positive when you can recruit girls from winning programs. They know how to win already.”

With eyes set on advancing past the second round of the NAIA National Tournament, the returning Rams know they must emit a ray of leadership, and communicate the discipline of positive work ethic as well as a desire to win. Hampered by slumps induced by poor team chemistry last season, the core of returning players pulled out of it in the post-season and will look to teach this newly-learned lesson to a talent-laden group of newcomers in 2003-04.

“It's going to take effort and production from everyone,” said Coach Gore-Algernon. “If we can get them to come in every day with a positive attitude and give their best, we will reach all of the goals we set for ourselves.”