Women’s Basketball Looks to Build on Past Success

The team’s credentialed roster kicks off its upcoming season this weekend.

The Mississippi College women’s basketball team kicks off its season on Friday, November 8, at home against LeMoyne-Owen. 

Mississippi College’s women’s basketball team with their three coaches during their 2024-2025 Media Day. (Photo Credit: Logan Orman)

The squad has added five freshmen to its roster: Joy Mayani, Vivian Sketoe, Taleah Anderson, Addy Bernhard, and Raegan White. However, with eight juniors, the squad is primarily made up of upperclassmen. Additionally, the team is led by two seniors, Tiara Abron and Sky Vaughn.

One standout this preseason is junior Karly Ivy, who was named to the All-Gulf South Conference Preseason Team. Ivy led the team in points, steals, and minutes last season and was second in assists, third in blocked shots, and fourth in rebounds. She is the first player since the program’s return to Division II to earn preseason all-conference honors.

Last year the team went 12-12 in conference, and they finished 13-15 overall. Alongside Ivy, the team is returning the second leading scorer, Amelia Bell, who led in rebounds and blocks last season. 

The team made its first Gulf South Conference Tournament appearance since 2020, and sophomore Emma Gates is excited about the potential of this year's squad. “I am looking forward to seeing how this team bonds together to take us deep into the postseason,” said Gates.

Gates believes the team has added to their speed and control from last year. “How fast we play differs this year from the last,” Gates said. “We have many girls, posts and guards, that Coach Long has put into a rotation that is going to allow us to play fast and under control.” Gates believes this team is more than capable of great things as long as they focus on controlling the controllable. “I think this team just really needs to focus on what we can control. Those things being our energy and efforts throughout the season.”

The Choctaws are coached by Greg Long, who is entering his fifth season with the Choctaws. He is assisted by Tori Blackmon and graduate assistant Morgan Campbell.

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