EILEEN HERNANDEZ
@EileenHdz

In the first week of October, the Islanders women’s basketball team dribbled their way into their first, official practices of the 2016-17 season.

This year, the team is ready to bounce back from their previous 9-20 record as head coach Royce Chadwick and players pave their way through backbreaking work, preparation and development as a new team.

“We began in July trying to develop the chemistry that we think it’s going to take for us to do the things we want to do,” Chadwick said. “We’ve had some people coming off of injury that I think our strength and conditioning program did a really good job rehabbing them and getting them ready to play.”

Chadwick said the team is brushing up on fundamentals, getting their footwork down and learning to play team schemes and with each other.

“It’s just going to take us some time to develop that family atmosphere,” Chadwick said.

Though breaking in the new sneakers certainly requires time, returning veteran and senior, Camesha Davis has been taken away by the rapid response the newcomers have displayed in learning the material.

“I’m impressed with their adaptability to the program and how they pick up on things really fast,” Davis said. “When I was a freshman, I didn’t get it that fast, but they do a good job at picking it up.”

Alongside Davis, teammate and red-shirted junior, Brittany Mbamalu took much pride among her basketball playing peers and the team-winning attitude qualities they possess.

“I’m really confident in our teammates. We’re open to learning and improving. Nobody is selfish,” Mbamalu said. “We’re all working as one unit and we’re just going from there. I’m excited to see our hard work pay off in the end.”

The Islanders women’s basketball team will start their season in the Nov. 6 exhibition game at the Dugan Wellness Center.

From their first game to the time March comes around, the Islanders hope to be playing their very best basketball game.

“We feel good about our team and I think when we put them all out there on the floor we have a great opportunity to be a force in the Southland Conference,” Chadwick said.

To take part in the support for the blue and green, visit GoIslanders.com to purchase tickets or follow the Islanders Women’s Basketball team for updates and more information on Twitter and Instagram at @islanderswbb.