KFDM COOP Posted February 27, 2007 Report Posted February 27, 2007 OF's Ancelot applies for LU postGabriel PruettThe Orange LeaderORANGEFIELD — Make no mistake about it, Orangefield girls basketball coach Sondra Ancelot is very happy where she is at.The Lady Bobcats’ program has been nothing but on the rise since she took the post five years ago but the opportunity to coach at Lamar University is also an exciting thought.Ancelot recently applied for the Lamar women’s head coaching vacancy which was left open when Leonard Drake resigned during the season citing health issues.Ancelot, who played at Lamar from 1990-94, started her coaching career at the college level will be just fine if she does not get hired on as the new head Lady Cardinal.“I am very happy where I am at,†Ancelot said. “There are two places very dear to my heart, Orangefield and Lamar. If I can’t be at one, I want to be at the other. Right now, it is just a wonderful opportunity at this point in my career. If I don’t get the position, I would love to finish off my career here at Orangefield. I love the kids here and the support here is awesome. For me it is a win-win situation.â€Ancelot has certainly turned the Orangefield program around by reaching the playoffs in each of the last four seasons.The last two seasons have ended with the Lady Bobcats finishing off at the regional tournament. Her record of 139-35 with the Lady Bobcats speaks volumes to her work ethic.“There is a deep-personal pride of being on the Lamar teams that had great success,†Ancelot said. “There is a slight difference in coaching at that level. The challenge is what attracts me. It is a monumental task and I have never been afraid of hardwork.â€One major reason Ancelot explained she could have success at Lamar is in the local recruiting aspect.The Lady Cardinals only have one player from the Southeast Texas area listed on their roster, Shaquita Coffey from Beaumont West Brook.Ancelot knows area high school basketball and could help in recruiting such players as Orangefield’s Kristy Sanders, Lumberton’s Courtney Wilson and Chelsea Pickering and maybe even try to persuade top-recruitees like West Orange-Stark’s Brittney Scott from leaving the area.“The decline in that position at Lamar is not something that happened over night,†Ancelot said. “There has not been a sense of urgency. I believe with the proper time and energy spent that it can be turned around. There are untapped resources in our area and they must be utilized.â€The Lady Cardinals are currently 11-16 overall and are 6-8 in Southland Conference play. Lamar is 1-12 on the road this season.Since starting women’s basketball for the 1969-70 season, the Lady Cardinals have experienced just 13 winning seasons. Lamar’s last winning year came in 1994 when they Lady Cardinals went 16-12.In 1990-91, the Lady Cardinals went 29-4 and reached the Elite Eight under Coach Al Barbe and were America South champions. In 1991-91, the Lady Cardinals went 21-7 under Coach Liz McQuitter and won the Sun Belt Conference during the regular season but did not return to the NCAA tournament after falling in the conference tournament.Since her departure from campus, the Lady Cardinals have went 104-224, a winning percentage of .317-percent.“Lamar needs a different approach. I just want something good for that program and if it is not me than I want someone else in there to do a good job. I just want that program to be successful.â€Ancelot ranks fourth in several categories in the all-time statistical leaders at Lamar in three pointer attempts (245), made three pointers (80) and career free throw percentage (79.7). Ancelot also ranks eighth in assists with 2.5 assists per game.In 1993-94, Ancelot led the Sun Belt Conference in free throw percentage with 105 made freebies in 125 attempts for a 84-percent mark. She is tied for the record of free throw percentage in a game in the conference with a perfect mark of 12-for-12 in a 1993 game against Arkansas State.Before arriving at Orangefield Ancelot has had assistant coaching stints at Northern Illinois, Texas Christian University and North Crowley High School. She also was the head coach over at Hardin-Jefferson for one year before heading to Orangefield.
KFDM COOP Posted February 28, 2007 Author Report Posted February 28, 2007 I like her chances!! That's all i can say.
Cat22 Posted February 28, 2007 Report Posted February 28, 2007 I think it would be a wise choice for Lamar. She would recruit locally. That's what's been missing at Lamar for some time.
JMay Posted February 28, 2007 Report Posted February 28, 2007 She was a sub on the Elite 8 team from back in the day. I like the choice.
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