High Point University Women's Basketball Ready for Another Tournament Run
High Point University Women’s Basketball Ready for Another Tournament Run
High Point University Basketball has the same goals but the spotlight is bigger than ever.
David Pergamo
Q News
The High Point University Women’s Basketball team are ready to make the new Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center their home as they look to defend their Big South Title they had captured the previous season.
With the new arena and previous success comes much more pressure compared to previous seasons. It looks like the Panthers are ready for anything that is going to come their way.
Branbury is Making HPU her own
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| HPU has improved almost every year the past 5 seasons |
Chelsea Branbury has been the coach for the Panthers since the start of the 2019 season and she has already brought the team to heights they have never reached before.
In just her second season as head coach, Branbury led the Panthers to their third Big South regular season championship in program history. Branbury was not done there as she led her Panthers to their first Big South Tournament victory and birth in the NCAA Tournament in program history. Both massive accomplishments for the High Point University Basketball Program.
Branbury came from a well known women's basketball program in Florida Gulf Coast. The flashy yet fundamentally sound 3 point style that FGCU is known for was brought to HPU and they haven't been looking back.
New Team, Same Goals
With only one player graduating from last year's team, and only two freshmen coming in to take her place, the roster has remained mostly the same. Cydney Johnson, a redshirt sophomore, believes that this roster can face the pressure and achieve similar heights as last year.
“The expectations are definitely higher this year after winning the Big South championship and tournament because people will expect us to remain at the top and produce the same results as last year” Said Johnson. “Going into the season as the projected #1 team, it puts a target on our back because other teams are trying to take that spot. At the end of the season the HPU women’s team will be playing for another conference championship.”
It has not been smooth sailing to start the season for the Panthers. In just their first game at the Qubein Center, the Panthers had to say goodbye to their star player for the entire season.
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| HPU returns players from many different age groups. |
This was a massive blow for a Panther team who has high expectations and aspirations. Cydney Johnson experienced a similar ACL injury last year and talked about what the recovery process is like.
“The recovery process was long and hard, but it helped to have teammates that have been through the same recovery process to help motivate and encourage me. I feel like having been through the injury as well, I can relate to Skyler and help her along the same recovery process.”
New Arena Brings new Spotlight and Pressure for the Panthers
The Opening of the new arena and the overall success of the women’s team has brought new opportunities to not just the student athletes at the University. Everybody in the High Point community is feeling the impact. High Point University President Nido Qubein feels that this is a “dream come true” for all of High Point University and is excited to see where this will take the school as a whole.
As previously stated, this is not only affecting the student athletes at the University.
Danny Shay is a junior at High Point University, he is the voice of the High Point University Women’s Basketball team as he is the play-by-play commentator for their games. Shay has also created a podcast where he and others talk about High Point University athletics. Shay believes that the new arena and success of the women’s team is the breakthrough needed.
“The women’s program has taken major steps in the right direction recently.” Said Shay. “(the arena) only helps attract more players and I believe they are going to be a powerhouse for years to come.”
When it comes to Shays commentary and podcast, he feels that the stadium has presented new opportunities that have not been available previously.
“For the podcast the stadium presents us with opportunities we have never had before. We're hoping to possibly film a show or two in there and showcase the Panther fans everywhere the pure beauty of the new arena. When it comes to commentating, the new arena has enhanced our broadcasts tremendously. The new control room has helped us make the broadcasts better and the new table and equipment is fantastic as well.”
Every part of the High Point University Women’s Basketball program from players to faculty to even the media members is going to be different. The expectations are going to be much higher.
High Point University Women’s Basketball will be on the road tomorrow December 9th, against King University. The first game of the Big South regular season starts on December 29th.
Related Stories:
Women's Hoops Returns to Qubein Arena
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