Texas Southern Women’s Basketball: A Force in the SWAC

By Mikekel Robinson

TSU Women’s Basketball remains undefeated in the SWAC, fueled by strong defense and team chemistry. Coach Skeete and players share insights on their winning mindset.

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Head coach Vernette Skeete attributes the team’s success to their unwavering focus and intensity on the defensive end of the court. Despite their record, Skeete emphasizes that the team isn’t fixated on wins alone; rather, they are driven by their competitive nature.

“We don’t care about the record. These kids are competitors. If you ever watch them on defense, they literally want to annihilate people,” Skeete said. “They take their matchups seriously and they care about defense. We’ve never had a basketball player that doesn’t want to score, but they actually want to get stops too. They do not want to lose.”

Building Chemistry Through Challenges

The Lady Tigers didn’t start the season without challenges. Adjusting to a roster full of newcomers meant that finding team chemistry took time. However, guard Courtlyn Loudermill recalls the exact moment when everything started to click for the team.

“In the beginning, we kind of struggled because there were a bunch of newcomers,” Loudermill said. “We were still trying to gel, but I think probably the first game of the conference, that’s when we said, ‘Oh, it’s go time.’ That’s when we started coming together, passing the ball, and making sure everyone gets those shots that they need.”

Thriving in a New Conference

For sophomore guard Aylasia Fantroy, the transition from the Mid-American Conference (MAC) to the SWAC has been a seamless adjustment. The different style of play in the SWAC has allowed her to excel under Coach Skeete’s leadership.

“There’s a lot of talent in the SWAC, but coming from the MAC, it’s a different style of play,” Fantroy explained. “I really like how my game fits into the SWAC and how Coach Skeete gets me into her program. It just makes it easier for me to play how I play.”

Continuing the Streak

The Lady Tigers recently defended their home court once again, extending their undefeated streak to 10-0 with a 64-57victory over Bethune-Cookman. With momentum on their side, they return to the H&PE Arena tomorrow at 3 p.m., eager to continue their winning streak and solidify their dominance in the SWAC against Florida A&M University.

As the season progresses, Texas Southern’s women’s basketball team continues to prove that they are not just contenders—they are champions in the making.