by By Matt Mays, Troy Athletics
TROY, Alabama – The Troy women’s basketball team began practice for the 2014-15 season on Monday morning when it took to the court at Trojan Arena at 6:45 a.m.
On Monday, the Trojans focused the early portion of their practice on full court pressure defense before turning their attention to scoring in transition. All 12 players on the Troy roster were healthy and participated fully in practice.
“The girls came in with great spirits this morning, the coaches were ready to go and we’re all fired up. We have great expectations for this season,” Troy head coach Chanda Rigby said. “I like that this team understands we want to play fast. In my first two years here it took several weeks to get in that grove. Now, they know before they even step on the floor, that we don’t do anything slow.”
Caitlyn Ramirez (Seminole Nation of Oklahoma) begins her first season with the Trojans after spending her last two season with Tyler Junior College. At Tyler,Caitlyn was rated the nation’s No.16 overall junior college prospect (No.4 power forward) following the 2013-14 season on Dan Olsen’s Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. She was an NJCAA Region XIV All-Conference and All-Region selection and helped Tyler to a 30-6 overall record in 2013-14 and an appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament Elite Eight. Caitlyn averaged 11.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in 2013-14 .
Troy’s season starts with an exhibition game on Thursday, November 6, when UAH visits Trojan Arena with tipoff set for 5:15 p.m. The Troy men’s basketball team will also play that night when they host West Florida in an exhibition game at 7:30 p.m.
The Trojans’ regular-season opener comes on Friday, November 14, at Auburn. Troy will also travel to Clemson on Sunday, November 16, before hosting their regular-season, home opener against Southeastern Louisiana on Friday, November 21.
Troy has led the Sun Belt in scoring in each of the last two seasons, including last year when the Trojans averaged 80.4 points per game, the 15th best mark in the country. Troy became just the second Sun Belt team since 2000 to average 80-plus points per game in a season.
