UTICA – First year head coach Perry Fletcher and the rest of the Hinds Community College Lady Bulldog basketball team begin their 2022-2023 season this evening at home against Copiah-Lincoln Community College. The game is set to tip-off at 5:30 p.m.
 
Last year, the Lady Bulldogs won only one game, which was against Holmes Community College on February 10. They would go on to lose in the first round of the NJCAA Region 23 tournament to Mississippi Delta Community College to close out the season.
 
"Coming off two back-to-back tough years, the girls have worked really hard to get Hinds back to its competitive state," Fletcher said.
 
For the 2022-2023 season, the Lady Bulldogs will have a lot of new faces with 13 newcomers and only two returners on the roster.
 
"We have a small group this year," said Fletcher. "However, they are hard-nosed and disciplined. This year, our goal is to be the most aggressive team on defense each nigh and make our opponents uncomfortable on offense."
 
Returners
 
Deondrea Young (McComb) and Lia Smith (Columbia) are the only returners from last year's roster. Smith played in 20 games last year and started nine and hopes to continue her success on the boards after totaling 60 rebounds a season ago. Similarly, Young played in 20 games for the Lady Bulldogs and started six where shot over 65% from the stripe and totaled 84 points.
 
Newcomers
 
The Lady Bulldogs will feature 13 newcomers this season including 12 freshman and one sophomore.
 
Destiny Brown, a freshman, is a 5'6 guard from Columbia.
 
Adja Bryant, a sophomore, is a 5'8 guard/power forward from Brandon.
 
Tra'Shaylah Wilson, a freshman, is a 5'4 point guard from Lake.
 
Chasity Woodard, a freshman, is a 5'7 power forward from Jackson.
 
Jayiah Ransom, a freshman, is a 5'3 guard from Jackson.
 
Herlancia Miller, a freshman, is a 5'4 guard from Crystal Springs.
 
Kimiyah Williams, a freshman, is a 5'6 shooting guard from Meridian.
 
Tia Howard, a freshman, is a 5'5 guard from Jackson.
 
San'Tiana Lumpin, a freshman, is a 5'4 point guard from Tylertown.
 
Taniah Parker, a freshman, is a 5'6 guard from Brandon.
 
Patrice Saddler, a freshman, is a 5'8 shooting guard from Atlanta, Georgia.
 
Halie Merritt, a freshman, is a 5'7 power forward from Jackson.
 
Nyahoak Rambang, a freshman, is a 6'2 power forward/center from Seattle, Washington.
 
Staff Additions
 
Kawaii Perry enters her first season as an assistant coach for the Lady Bulldogs. Erícia Strothers also joins the staff as a graduate assistant coach.
 
Season Outlook
 
Coach Fletcher stated, "I'm really looking forward to seeing this year's group compete. We understand we have a long way to go, but a journey of a 1,000 miles begins with the first step."
 
Schedule
 
The Lady Bulldogs currently have 23 games scheduled for their regular season including 11 away games and 12 home games to be played at J.D. Boyd Gymnasium. The Lady Bulldogs open their regular season tonight at home against Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.