Getting after it

Competitiveness is what University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women’s Coach Dawn Thornton wanted to see out of her team during the opening of fall practice, and competitiveness is what she got.

The Lady Lions, who saw a promising 202021 season derailed early because of key injuries and covid-19 cancellations, got things kicked off with what Thornton called a “energetic” session Thursday at H.O. Clemmons Arena.

“One thing about it is that we had a very highly competitive practice,” said Thornton, who’s entering her third season at UAPB. “I think that any coach that can see glimpses of kids just being resilient and being tough, that makes you a little bit more restful at night. We’ve been preaching defense all during the preseason and over summer workouts.

“So being able to kind of see it put together and them getting up and down on the first. … I thought we were definitely able to see some good basketball that’s ahead of us.”

The Lady Lions do return key pieces, such as last season’s SWAC Newcomer of the Year and leading scorer Khadijah Brown. UAPB also welcomes back guard Joyce Kennerson, who averaged 14 points per game before tearing her ACL in the team’s first conference game, as well as guard Kalia Walker, who averaged just over 11 points.

“They all have a chip on their shoulders,” Thornton said of her newcomers. “They’re like ‘This is my second chance, my second opportunity, and I want to get things right.’ They want to do things the right way, but I’ve also got returners that are like ‘Look, I’ve earned my spot here, and in order for you to be able to come in and play, you’re gone have to come in and come at me everyday in practice.’ So I reminded them, we didn’t have much success last year.

“Losing [Kennerson] to a torn ACL, having some covid issues. But we had a good start, and I can honestly say we have that same spotlight shining on us right now.”