Ezell Looks to Build Lady Raiders Momentum

Second year Lady Raiders head coach Brittney Ezell experienced a terrific year last season. She turned a 13-13 team into a 20-9 team, led the Lady Raiders to their first FCCAA State Tournament appearance in three years, sent seven players to the Division I level, and finished just three points shy of a spot in the State Championship Finals. Certainly it was an incredible turnaround in such a short period of time. More importantly, that success has created a huge wave of momentum that Coach Ezell’s squad looks to carry into the 2006-07 season.

Seven sophomores were lost from last season, but three of the new fourteen players are actually returnees from last year that did not play due to injuries and transfer rules. Therefore, they are familiar with Coach Ezell’s system and will be counted on to contribute this season.

Ezell is looking to use the depth of this year’s squad to her advantage, possibly sending mass substitutions throughout the game to wear out her opponents. Ezell describes this team as blazing fast and smaller than last year’s team. But, considering that Chipola won the State Championship with only one player taller than 6’1”, Ezell isn’t worried about height and the Lady Raiders still have quite a bit of size with six players at 6’0” or taller.

Look to returning starter Ashley Thrash-Murphy (power-forward, 6’0”, Pritchard, AL) to cash in on last year’s experience and become a consistent scoring threat but also a leader. Jamilia Bonner (guard, 5’11”, Mobile, AL), who tore her ACL prior to the start of last season, will also return to the Raider court. Prior to her injury, Bonner was ranked the top junior college player in the country, and top play is expected this season with her recovered status.

Newcomers to watch include transfer LaShandra McCoy (sophomore, 5’7”, Decatur, AL), Andrea Kelly (freshman, guard, 5’9”, Ft. Walton Beach, FL), Whitney Toone (freshman, forward, 6’0”, Brooklyn, NY), Alexandra Sanabria (freshman, guard, 5’9”, Miami, FL), Jamie Freeman (freshman, forward/center, 5’10”, Mobile, AL), and Jennifer Williams (sophomore, forward, 6’0”, Pensacola, FL).

The depth on the roster is going to create a more fast paced style of play for the Lady Raiders this season.

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Raiders Focus on Climb
Back on Top of the Panhandle Perch

Raiders men’s team boasts a recruiting class that is one of the best in Coach Stewart’s tenure. These freshmen are extremely athletic and have a tremendous amount of skill, focused on the task at hand: taking OWC back to the top of the conference.

Among the returning players is Uriah Hethington (6’8”, 220lbs, center/power forward, Cairo, GA), who averaged 12 points and 9 rebounds per game last year. Josh Hunter a redshirt freshman, (6’6”, 220lbs, Albany, GA) returns as center/power forward. Kenny Ware (6’6”, 205lbs, small forward, Albany, GA) is the other returning starter.

The newcomers include freshman Keith Ramsey (6’9”, 200lbs, power-forward, Murfreesboro, TN). Ramsey is an instant impact player that can play three different positions and can score from anywhere on the floor. Another newcomer with incredible shooting range is Tay Waller (6’2”, 180lbs, shooting guard, Manchester, GA).

Local product Jeremy Dunbar (6’4”, 170lbs, forward, Niceville, FL) will likely see significant playing time this season. Finally, the point guard position will be the position to watch this season. Jeremiah Crutcher (5’10”, 180lbs, point guard, Nashville, TN) will certainly be a key contributor at this position. Additionally, shooting guards Lashun Watson (6’5”, 195lbs, Greenville, GA) and Darnelle Johnson (6’4”, 165lbs, Moblie, AL) will also be looked upon to lead the offense at times.

A very tough non-conference schedule starts in November and will undoubtedly prepare the team for conference play in January.

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Hastings Joins Baseball

Team O-W welcomes former O-W player Brian Hastings as the assistant baseball coach working with head coach Keith Griffin. Hastings was most recently coaching at the University of South Alabama and is extremely comfortable coaching Griffin’s offensive system. Not only did he play for Griffin, but he went on to continue his career at the College of Charleston where the same system is preached. Additionally, Hastings coached the system at South Alabama.

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