KFDM COOP Posted June 15, 2007 Report Posted June 15, 2007 Ancelot hard at work for LamarGabriel PruettThe Orange LeaderBEAUMONT — Seven days a week and about 14 hours a day is the schedule Lamar University assistant Sondra Ancelot is having to get used to these days.The Lady Cardinals just finished up their first camp of the summer, there is recruiting to do and then there is still hours needed to monitor current players in the classroom.Throw in the day-to-day office work and Ancelot has been busy since taking the job under new Lamar Head Coach Larry Tidwell.“It has been real busy,†Ancelot said on Thursday. “I am learning new things every day.â€The Lady Cardinals have already signed five players in May including Nikki Williams of Copiah Lincoln Community College and Ashley Crawford of Trinity Valley Community College.The others were Emily Spickler, Agnija Reke and Brittany Hendrix.Ancelot reported the signings are just the first of more things to come from Lamar.“We are getting ready to hit the road in July for recruiting,†Ancelot said. “That is always a fun time of year. I love watching kids play basketball. If we are not playing then I want to watch others play. It is always a challenge to find the player that is a diamond in the rough, the one who fits your style of play.“It is tough though. You are on the road the entire month and basically living in a motel and using rental cars. It is interesting because you are exposed to different players and new styles of play.â€Ancelot, who coached Orangefield for six years and had a 139-35 record, also said the Lady Cardinals are looking overseas for new players.Priority No. 1 for Ancelot and Tidwell is getting the Lady Cardinals back on track after last season’s 15-17 record.Since starting women’s basketball for the 1969-70 season, the Lady Cardinals have experienced just 13 winning seasons. Lamar’s last winning season came in 1994 when the Lady Cardinals went 16-12.Ancelot has personally seen the Lady Cardinals have success when she was a player on the 1990-91 team that reached the Elite Eight after a 29-4 record. The next season saw Lamar go 21-7.“We all just want to get this program back on the right track,†Ancelot said. “Coach Tidwell has done a great job and with the people he knows and his contacts, our recruiting will be great. It is important to all of us that we keep minds on that we are going to turn this turn and how exciting that will be. One of the biggest things is getting the community involved and that will happen.“A lot of people say college coaching is an easy job but we have been in the office seven days a week. There are so many aspects that go into the job.â€The Lady Cardinals will host their second camp starting Monday and running through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Montagne Center. Cost of the camp is $125 and information can be received by calling 880-1058.
Cat22 Posted June 15, 2007 Report Posted June 15, 2007 With Tidwell and Ancelot look for this team to be alot better next year. Good things to come for the Lady Cardinals.
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