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Upchurch starting over
Ferriday High graduate and Vidalia native Jasmine Upchurch will have no problem playing for two head coaches in her senior season at Northwestern State next school year.
Brooke and were named last week as Northwestern State's first co-head coaching duo in the 38 years of the program's existence.
"My first year there were three assistant coaches," Upchurch said. "I'm used to listening to more than one coach."
Upchurch is also very excited about the new coaching team.
"I feel real good about next year," Upchurch said. "The new coaches are really focusing on defense. They are really pushing us to be more competitive."
Brooke was a point guard from 1998-2002 under legendary coach Leon Barmore at Louisiana Tech.
She spent the last three years as an assistant coach at Texas Tech and recently helped guide the Lady Raiders to a third round appearance in the Women's National Invitational Tournament.
Scott, who received his degree in biology from Nebraska Wesleyan in 1997 and his master's degree in kinesiology from North Texas in 1999, began his coaching career at Nebraska Wesleyan University and followed that with stints at North Texas, Florida State, Arkansas-Little Rock and Louisiana Tech before leaving the college ranks for high school in 2008.
Former NSU women's coach Jennifer Graf, who spent 16 years at Northwestern as a player, graduate assistant coach, assistant coach and head coach, resigned her post as the team's leader to pursue other endeavors.
Graf, one of the nation's youngest head coaches in Division I basketball nearly her entire head coaching career, spent eight seasons at the helm of the Lady Demon program and compiled a 106-131 career record.
The Lady Demons finished 6-23 overall and 2-14 in league play this past season, but suffered numerous injuries to key personnel.
The 6-foot-3 Upchurch started 23 of 29 games, averaging 11.5 points a game and 7.9 rebounds. She blocked 45 shots and had 27 steals.
Upchurch led the team in scoring in four of NSU's final seven games. She scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 58-56 loss to Lamar, netted 18 points against Southeastern Louisiana and Central Arkansas and scored 14 points and had nine rebounds in the second meeting with Lamar.
"The injuries were a bad thing and good thing," Upchurch said. "I was able to play more and gain more experience, but we really missed those players on the floor. I'm looking to get even more playing time next year and be more of a leader."
Upchurch said she is spending extra time in the weight room and is going to work harder on her ball-handling and defense.
"In high school I was a good defensive player, but not as good in college," she said. "I am working even harder on that part of my game. Next year we are all going to be starting all over with the new coaches. I'm going to have to earn a starting spot. But I'm excited and looking forward to the challenge." |
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