Hill College women’s basketball team looks to pick up where it left off last season

First-year Hill College Head Women’s Basketball Coach Antreanna Brooks said despite some preseason jitters on her end, she’s ready to showcase her group of student-athletes as the 2023-24 season is just around the corner.

The Rebels currently have a string of nine consecutive Region 5 tournament appearances, which is the most of any other team in the region during that same timeframe.

“Coaching for the first time in a head-coaching capacity has brought on a wide range of feelings and emotions,” Brooks said. “I love the game of basketball – and getting to wake up and doing something you love just makes life that much better.”

Brooks said last year’s team was the youngest in the conference with only two sophomores. This year, however, her team is made up of six sophomores and five freshmen.

“We do have a group of student-athletes with some experience,” she added, “with four returners and two transfers, followed by five freshmen, who all bring a different energy and feel to this year’s program.”

Among those student-athletes returning this season, sophomore guard KJ Walker (Fort Worth) will be a key player to watch for the Rebels.

“KJ has grown so much since I have stepped into this role,” Brooks said. “She has taken on more at the leadership position and followed it up with her actions. She’s also in the gym constantly working on her game and getting better, as well as making those around her better every single day. She’s extremely coachable and reliable.”

Brooks also said sophomore forward Trinity Bane (McAllen) is another player to watch this season.

“Trinity brings a different style of play to our team,” Brooks added. “She is a very unique 6-footer who can score on all three levels. She’s extremely athletic, and she’s also left handed.”

Throughout the course of the 2023-24 season, Brooks said the Rebels will be matching up against several great teams – including nationally-ranked opponents and teams who played in last year’s national tournament such as Trinity Valley Community College (Athens) and Blinn College (Brenham) in non-conference play. 

“Our conference is really good this year,” Brooks added. “Both Collin College and McLennan Community College were nationally ranked and participated in the national tournament last season.”

Tamia Hewitt will be joining Brooks on the court this season as the assistant coach for the Rebels.

Hewitt, who is originally from Riverside, California, began her college career playing at Paris Junior College before finishing at Louisiana State University of Alexandria.

While at LSU of Alexandria, Hewitt achieved the Most Blocking Record, was named Honorable Mention and Second Team All-Conference in 2017-18. She also was a Student Assistant for Bob Austin and Chris Johnson for the Women's Basketball Program at Louisiana State University of Alexandria.

“Coach Hewitt brings a different kind of experience to our program,” Brooks said. “She was a post player and brought in great knowledge at that position. She also works extremely hard both on and off the court with our student-athletes.”

Hill College will open its 2023-24 campaign hosting Angelina College Nov. 1 beginning at 5 p.m. in the Bob Bullock Center in Hillsboro. Then, the Rebels will host their own tournament, The Hill College Classic, on Nov. 3-4.

2023 Hill College Women’s Basketball Roster

1 – Mercedes Mancha, Soph., Guard (Manvel)

3 – KJ Walker, Soph., Guard (Fort Worth)

5 – Peyton Landry, Fresh., Guard (Houston)

11 – Journee Chambers, Fresh., Guard (Dallas)

12 – Jaz'lyn Jackson, Fresh., Forward (Gainesville, Florida)

21 – Emikele Hewthorne, Fresh., Forward (Houston)

22 – Ariyahna Stephens, Fresh., Forward (Pensacola, Florida)

23 – Trinity Bane, Soph., Forward (McAllen)

24 – Savannah Velazquez, Soph., Guard (Houston)

32 – Iasia Goldman, Soph., Forward (McAllen)

For more information about the Hill College Women’s Basketball program – including schedule, rosters, directions, and much more – please visit the Hill College Athletics website at www.hillcollegeathletics.com.