Women's Basketball

Women's Basketball

GULF COAST STATE COMMODORES

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Former Lady Commodore Smith selected in WNBA draft

April 18, 2013 15:56 PM

News Herald Staff

TAMPA — Andrea Smith showcased enough ability on the basketball court at Gulf Coast that spectators could wonder if she had a professional basketball career in her future.

Tuesday night provided the answer.

Smith, a 5-foot-8 guard, was selected No. 35 overall by the Connecticut Sun in the third round of the WNBA draft. Smith spent the past two seasons at South Florida after playing at Gulf Coast for two years. She shared the court with twin sister Andrell Smith throughout her collegiate career at both schools.

GC Sophomore, Tamara Taylor, selected as First-Team All-American

Gulf Coast’s Taylor named All-American

April 13, 2013 22:53 PM

News Herald Staff

PANAMA CITY — Fresh off leading the Gulf Coast women’s basketball team to the semifinals of the NJCAA national tournament, Tamara Taylor has been named a first-team All-American in voting results released this week.

Taylor, who will play at South Florida next year, averaged a team-high 21 points for GC this season, a mark that ranked sixth nationally. Taylor, who also was named the Panhandle Conference player of the year, was one of 10 players in the country to garner first-team All-American honors.

Taylor, Sterling named to all-tourney team

March 25, 2013 21:05 PM

News Herald Staff

PANAMA CITY — Gulf Coast women’s basketball players Tamara Taylor and Necole Sterling each were named to the NJCAA all-tournament team following the national tournament that concluded on Saturday.

The Lady Commodores placed fourth overall at nationals, falling 63-61 to Hutchinson (Kan.) in the consolation finals.

Taylor averaged 17.5 points a game through the tournament, and Sterling averaged 16.5 points, including 26 in the national semifinals against Trinity Valley (Texas).

Juco nationals: GC women finish fourth

March 25, 2013 16:12 PM

News Herald Staff

SALINA, Kan. — Heartbreak found Gulf Coast for a second consecutive day at the NJCAA women’s basketball national tournament.

Hutchinson’s Aja Sorrells knocked down a contested 10-foot jumper with nine seconds left to lift the Lady Blue Dragons to a 63-61 victory over GC in the tournament’s consolation finals in the Salina Bicentennial Center. Hutchinson picked up a third-place finish, and the Lady Commodores placed fourth in the 24-team field.

Juco nationals: GC falls to Trinity Valley, will play for third

March 22, 2013 23:25 PM

News Herald Staff

SALINA, Kan. — It isn’t lip service when basketball coaches stress the importance of the first five minutes of the second half.

Trinity Valley blitzed Gulf Coast with a 17-4 run to open the second half and built a lead just big enough to withstand the Lady Commodores’ furious comeback bid in a 75-71 victory over GC in the NJCAA national tournament semifinals Friday night.

Juco nationals: GC women hand Shelton State first loss, move to semis

March 21, 2013 19:47 PM

News Herald Staff

SALINA, Kan. — Gulf Coast’s players gave their coach 40 minutes of intense basketball on Thursday.

Consequently, the Lady Commodores clinched a berth in the national semifinals.

Five GC players scored in double figures, and the Lady Commodores made more plays on both ends of the floor in the game’s final minutes to defeat Shelton State 72-61 in the quarterfinals of the NJCAA women’s basketball national tournament at the Salina Bicentennial Center.

Juco nationals: GC women face stern test against Shelton State

March 20, 2013 16:59 PM

News Herald Staff

SALINA, Kan. — Gulf Coast encountered a team that thought it could run with it on Tuesday night.

Today the Lady Commodores play a team that knows it can.

Gulf Coast squares off with undefeated Shelton State in the quarterfinals of the NJCAA women’s basketball national tournament on Thursday at 3 p.m. The respective Florida and Alabama state champions each collected second-round victories at the Salina Bicentennial Center on Tuesday and are one victory shy of a spot in the Final Four.

Juco nationals: GC women hang on to advance past Midland

March 19, 2013 23:05 PM

News Herald Staff

SALINA, Kan. — The game seemingly in-hand, Gulf Coast let up a little too soon Tuesday night.

The Lady Commodores were five minutes away from enjoying a lopsided win against Midland in the second round of the NJCAA women’s basketball national tournament but instead had to settle for a nail-biting finish in a 62-57 victory at the Salina Bicentennial Center.

Lady Commodores open with Midland at nationals

March 18, 2013 22:26 PM

News Herald Staff

SALINA, Kan. -- After enjoying a first-round bye at the NJCAA women's basketball national tournament, Gulf Coast learned it will play Midland on Tuesday in the second round.

The game tips off at 6:30 p.m. at the Salina Bicentennial Center. The NJCAA is streaming all tournament games live online through its website, njcaa.org.

Midland, which is located in Texas, defeated Volunteer State (Tenn.) 57-49 in Monday's first round. Meghan Braeuer paced Midland with 16 points, and Achiri Ade and Diamalises Rivera scored 12 and 11, respectively. Ade also has 12 rebounds.

Bye helps Lady Commodores scout opponent at nationals

March 16, 2013 21:05 PM

News Herald Staff

PANAMA CITY — A first-round bye does more than guarantee Gulf Coast will advance to the second day at the NJCAA national tournament.

It also will provide valuable insight into the team the Lady Commodores draw in the second round.

GC, fresh off a two-day, 20-hour bus ride across half of the country, will face either Midland (Texas) or Volunteer State (Tenn.) on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Midland, the tournament’s No. 13 seed, and Volunteer State, the 20th seed, play Monday, and the Lady Commodores’ coaches and players will be seated in the stands to watch that matchup.

Tamara Taylor fights for the loose ball in the first round of the Region VIII State Tournament.

Juco state: GC women advance despite poor shooting

March 6, 2013 19:44 PM

News Herald Staff

MARIANNA — Gulf Coast will be lucky to win if it turns in another performance like this one at this week's FCSAA women's basketball state tournament.

The Lady Commodores overcame their stagnant play in the second half to escape with a 73-62 victory over Santa Fe in the tournament's first round at the Milton H. Johnson Health Center at Chipola College.

GC sophomore, Tamara Taylor, drives to the basket against Chipola during conference play.

Juco state: Gulf Coast women open with Santa Fe

March 5, 2013 23:52 PM

News Herald Staff

PANAMA CITY — Boxing out in the post will take on more importance than usual Wednesday.

The Gulf Coast women’s basketball team opens play against Santa Fe in the first round of the FCSAA state tournament in Marianna. The game tips off at 3 p.m. at Chipola College’s Milton H. Johnson Health Center.

GC women second in state poll

February 26, 2013 17:18 PM

News Herald Staff

PANAMA CITY — The Gulf Coast women’s basketball team moved up to second in the FCSAA state rankings released Tuesday.

The Lady Commodores (24-4) earned five first-place votes and 137 voting points to trail No. 1 Northwest Florida State (24-3), which garnered nine first-place votes at 142 points. GC beat the Lady Raiders twice during the regular season and edged them out for the Panhandle Conference’s No. 1 seed at the state tournament slated to begin March 6 in Marianna.

Chipola (23-5) is third in the women’s poll. Tallahassee (15-11) and Pensacola (11-16) were seventh and 10th, respectively.

Tamara Taylor goes in for a lay-up against Chipola on Saturday. Taylor finished with 36 points.

GC women beat Chipola, clinch share of conference title

February 23, 2013 23:43 PM

News Herald Staff

PANAMA CITY — Tamara Taylor made her case for Panhandle Conference player of the year Saturday night.

Taylor poured in a game-high 36 points, and Gulf Coast clinched a share of the conference title with a dominating 92-59 victory over rival Chipola at the Billy Harrison Field House.

Taylor stakes GC comeback over Tallahassee

February 16, 2013 22:22 PM

News Herald Staff

TALLAHASSEE — Gulf Coast never is out of a game as long as Tamara Taylor is making her shots.

Taylor scored 23 of her game-high 31 points in the second half, and GC obliterated Tallahassee's 14-point halftime lead en route to a 78-64 victory Saturday night in a Panhandle Conference women's basketball game at the Eagle Dome.

GC women eye Panhandle hoops title

February 16, 2013 00:05 AM

News Herald Staff

PANAMA CITY — Three thoroughbreds have made the turn and are racing toward the finish line, an impending photo finish all but certain.

Two of them, Gulf Coast and Northwest Florida State, will try to nose ahead of Chipola tonight in the pursuit of a Panhandle Conference championship in women’s basketball. All three teams enter tonight with a share of first place in the conference as GC goes on the road to play Tallahassee (4:30 p.m. CST), and NWF State hosts Pensacola.

Gulf Coast women clinch state tournament berth

February 14, 2013 16:12 PM

News Herald Staff

PENSACOLA — The whistle couldn’t be heard inside Pensacola’s Lou Ross Center.

It emanated from Niceville, after all.

Gulf Coast clinched a state tournament berth with an 81-71 victory over Pensacola in a Panhandle Conference women’s basketball game Wednesday night. The Lady Commodores learned minutes later they also had moved into a three-way tie for first place in the conference when Northwest Florida State stunned Chipola in a 74-73 win.

Women eye title

February 12, 2013 23:26 PM

News Herald Staff

The GC women, meanwhile, can clinch their place in the FCSAA state tournament with a victory Wednesday. The Lady Commodores (21-4, 6-3) are seeking a season sweep at Pensacola (11-12, 0-8) in a game scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.

GC's Jessica Morton and Kayla Montgomerygo for the jump ball Saturday night.

Gulf Coast women outlast NWF State in overtime

February 10, 2013 00:29 AM

News Herald Staff

PANAMA CITY — At this time of year, losses are more painful than victories are satisfying.

That’s not to suggest there isn’t a great deal of pleasure derived from wins like this.

Necole Sterling and Tamara Taylor combined to score all but two of GC’s points in overtime, and the Lady Commodores held on for a 76-72 victory over Northwest Florida State in a Panhandle Conference women’s basketball game Saturday night.

Taren White, former GC women's basketball player, scored a career high 38 points. Just one point shy of the all-time record.

Former Gulf Coast Player Becomes A Standout At Columbus State

February 9, 2013

Columbus State Athletics

Dahlonega — Taren White scored a career high 38 points as the Columbus State women's basketball team defeated North Georgia 84-75 in Memorial Hall Gymnasium Saturday afternoon in Dahlonega.

White's 38 points were the highest individual total for a CSU player this season and came within one point of the all-time program record. Que Gilliam holds the record with 39 points against Kennesaw State on January 29, 1997.

GC basketball teams seek rebound against NWF State

February 8, 2013 23:29 PM

News Herald Staff

The GC women also are coming off a humbling loss at Chipola. Depending how Chipola fares at Tallahassee, the Lady Commodores (20-4, 5-3) could move into a tie for first place in the conference with a win Saturday against the Lady Raiders (21-2, 6-2). The game tips off at 5:30 p.m.

Lady Commodores withstand Campbell's record output in victory

January 30, 2013 22:21 PM

News Herald Staff

PANAMA CITY — Setting a school record for points scored in a game wasn’t enough for Jeraldine Campbell to lift her team to a victory Wednesday night.

All five Gulf Coast defenders collectively harassed Campbell on the game’s final possession and forced a last-second miss to preserve a 77-75 victory over Tallahassee in a Panhandle Conference women’s basketball game at the Billy Harrison Field House.

GC hoops teams aim to maintain standing against Tallahassee

January 29, 2013 17:40 PM

News Herald Staff

The GC women, meanwhile, find themselves engaged in a slugfest in conference play. The Lady Commodores (19-3, 4-2) can retain their place at the top of the conference with a win, but they could enjoy an added bonus by knocking Tallahassee (13-6, 2-3) further down in the standings.

Gulf Coast guard, Tamara Taylor, soars for the rebound against Pensacola on Saturday night.

GC hoops teams cruise past visiting Pensacola

January 26, 2013 23:34 PM

News Herald Staff

PANAMA CITY — It was a risk worth taking.

Tamara Taylor’s insertion back into the rotation late in the first half despite her two fouls proved fruitful for Gulf Coast on Saturday night in an 86-45 drubbing of Pensacola in a Panhandle Conference women’s basketball game.

Gulf Coast teams fall on road at NWF State

January 23, 2013 23:02 PM

News Herald Staff

NICEVILLE — The Gulf Coast women’s basketball team made it a little too easy for Northwest Florida State to score Wednesday night.

A bevy of turnovers and fouls undermined the Lady Commodores in a 77-74 road loss to Northwest Florida State in a Panhandle Conference showdown.

Chipola next hurdle in Gulf Coast's Panhandle slate

January 18, 2013 20:17 PM

News Herald Staff

PANAMA CITY — The Gulf Coast basketball teams each find themselves positioned well in the Panhandle Conference through their first three league games.

The next hurdle on the schedule for both programs comes in the form of Chipola. The Lady Commodores host Chipola at the Billy Harrison Field House Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The men’s game will follow at 7:30 p.m.

Women to 2-0

January 14, 2013 13:53 PM

News Herald Staff

GC women 67, Tallahassee 60

The Gulf Coast women were able to pull away in the second half once the Lady Commodores’ offense caught up with their defense.

GC (18-1, 3-0) trailed 50-47 after the Lady Eagles’ Aiyannah Peal converted a bucket with 9:41 left in the game. The Lady Commodores scored the next nine points, however, to seize control. Jessica Morton scored six of her team-high 20 points during the spurt, and her field goal with 4:08 left put GC on top 58-50.

GC women takes top ranking

Northwest Florida State College's Kiani Paker (11) and Gulf Coast State College's Aissata Magia (20) fight for the ball during their matchup at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City on Saturday.

GC women regain No. 1 ranking

January 8, 2013 16:41 PM

News Herald Staff

PANAMA CITY — The Gulf Coast women’s basketball team regained the top spot in the state rankings released Tuesday, and the Lady Commodores will defend that honor tonight in a road game at Pensacola.

Morton, GC women hold back NWF State in Panhandle opener

January 7, 2013 22:56 PM

News Herald Staff

PANAMA CITY — Seemingly every shot Jessica Morton made down the stretch Saturday night was a crucial one.

Morton paved the way for ninth-ranked Gulf Coast with her clutch shooting, and the Lady Commodores upended No. 3 Northwest Florida State 73-66 in a Panhandle Conference women’s basketball game at the Billy Harrison Field House.

Andrell, left, and Andrea Smith (older by five minutes) told recruiters they were a package deal: “Double or nothing.’’

Smith twins lead USF Bulls women against No. 2 Notre Dame

January 7, 2013 4:19 PM

Tampa Bay Times Staff

TAMPA — Andrea has the freckle.

That, if all else fails, is USF women's basketball coach Jose Fernandez's most reliable clue.

Senior guards Andrea and Andrell Smith are in their third seasons with the Bulls, and he has known them twice as long, but if the identical twins aren't wearing their jerseys and he isn't positive which is which, he'll look at their left cheeks, where Andrea has a telltale mark.

GC, NWF State women clash in Top-10 matchup

January 4, 2013 15:33 PM

News Herald Staff

PANAMA CITY — Vernette Skeete must feel like this time of year was made just for her.

No less fiery and competitive as a coach than she was as a player, Skeete leads the Gulf Coast women’s basketball team into its Panhandle Conference opener on Saturday when GC hosts Northwest Florida State in a battle between two of the nation’s Top-10 teams.

Panhandle women's teams ready for war of attrition

January 3, 2013 18:38 PM

News Herald Staff

The women’s basketball teams in the Panhandle Conference spent the past two months staking a claim that their league is the best in the country.

Those five teams now will spend the next several weeks trying to tear each other down.

Below is a look at each of the Panhandle’s teams in advance of the first conference games scheduled for Saturday. Gulf Coast (15-1) hosts unbeaten Northwest Florida State (15-0) at the Billy Harrison Field House, and Tallahassee (11-3) visits Chipola (15-1) at the Milton H. Johnson Health Center. Both games start at 5:30 p.m.

Gulf Coast women score 114 in rout of Prince George

December 29, 2012 23:49 PM

News Herald Staff

OCALA -- Five Gulf Coast players scored in double figures as the Lady Commodores romped to a 114-38 victory over Prince George in a women's basketball game Saturday.

Gulf Coast women blast Bishop State

December 15, 2012 21:05 PM

News Herald Staff

NICEVILLE — Jessica Morton recorded a double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds, as the Gulf Coast State women’s basketball team rolled over Bishop State 84-32 on Saturday. Tamara Taylor had 16 points and seven steals and Necole Sterling 12 points and five assists for the Lady Commodores, who play Daytona State in Niceville at 1 p.m. today.

GC women rout Daytona State

December 8, 2012 22:18 PM

News Herald Staff

DAYTONA BEACH — Tamara Taylor and Jessica Morton each topped 20 points, and the Gulf Coast women’s basketball team rolled to an 83-48 win over Daytona State on Saturday.

Gulf Coast basketball teams enjoying hot starts

December 5, 2012 20:39 PM

News Herald Staff

PANAMA CITY — Vernette Skeete exudes a particular vibe that she dislikes losing more than she likes winning.

“Everybody always says that sometimes it’s good when you lose,” said Skeete, the women’s basketball coach at Gulf Coast. “I disagree. … If my team learned anything, it was ‘When coach says it’s time to hit the gym, she’s probably right.’ ”

Gulf Coast teams victorious

December 1, 2012 20:26 PM

News Herald Staff

OCALA — Jessica Morton scored 22 points and Tamara Taylor added 17 to lead the Gulf Coast women’s basketball team past Daytona State 83-61 on Saturday.

The Lady Commodores improved to 9-1 after their third straight victory. GC plays Hillsborough in Daytona at 3 p.m. CST on Friday.

GC women bounce Broward

November 30, 2012 23:12 PM

News Herald Staff

GC women 86, Broward 48

OCALA — Tamara Taylor's torrid shooting stroke powered the Lady Commodores to the win as the sophomore wing fired in a team-high 29 points.

Women rebound

November 24, 2012 22:56 PM

News Herald Staff

GC 75, SW Tennessee 36

DECATUR, Ga. — Top-ranked Gulf Coast bounced back from its first loss of the season as every Lady Commodore player scored in the lopsided victory.

Lady Commodores suffer first loss

November 23, 2012 23:21 PM

News Herald Staff

WaltersState56, GC women 51

DECATUR, Ala. — The Gulf Coast women’s basketball team suffered its first loss of the season, coming up short against ninth-ranked Walters State in the Georgia Perimeter women’s basketball tournament.

Top-rated Lady Commodores breeze into tourney test

November 20, 2012 21:08 PM

News Herald Staff

PANAMA CITY — Vernette Skeete believes her team will get the challenge it’s been looking for this weekend.

The Gulf Coast women’s basketball team haven’t been tested often this year, trailing at halftime only once as the Lady Commodores have raced out to a 6-0 start. GC travels to Decatur, Ga., this week and will play ninth-ranked Walters State on Friday and Southwest Tennessee on Saturday. Both games tip off at 1 p.m. CST.

Gulf Coast basketball teams notch lopsided wins again

November 19, 2012 20:28 PM

News Herald Staff

GC women 90, Vincennes 58

PANAMA CITY — Necole Sterling’s all-around contribution sparked the No. 1 Lady Commodores in a one-sided win in the Gulf Coast Classic at the Billy Harrison Field House.

Gulf Coast women cruise to easy win

November 16, 2012 23:38 PM

News Herald Staff

GC women 109, Southern Union 33

PANAMA CITY — Tamara Taylor nearly outscored Gulf Coast's opponent by herself, firing in 32 points to lead the top-ranked Lady Commodores' rout in the Gulf Coast Classic at the Billy Harrison Field House.

Sterling leads GC women over Monroe

November 11, 2012 18:44 PM

News Herald Staff

MARIANNA — The Gulf Coast women's basketball team continued its early season dominance Saturday with a 72-58 win over Monroe (N.Y.) at Chipola's Milton H. Johnson Health Center.