The Grand Canyon women’s basketball team is on an exciting journey under first-year head coach Winston Gandy. Their home opener against Idaho State is set for Saturday at 6 p.m. at Global Credit Union Arena.
Gandy, who joined the Lopes in March, has revamped the team with a fresh coaching staff and mostly new players. They’ve been honing their skills through scrimmages, including tough matchups against powerhouse programs like USC and Washington. Even though they faced a challenging start with a loss to No. 2 South Carolina, Gandy remains optimistic about the team’s growth.
“I’m pleased with our progress,” Gandy shared. “Our schedule is designed to test us, and even if the scoreboard doesn’t reflect it yet, we’re learning and improving.”
This season, the Lopes prominently feature Chloe Mann, a 5-foot-8 guard and the Mountain West Preseason Newcomer of the Year. After transferring from Cincinnati, Mann scored 15 points against South Carolina, showcasing her range with threes and driving plays.
“I think we’re really learning to play together,” Mann said, emphasizing the importance of communication on and off the court.
Another standout was Anisa Jeffries, a versatile player who scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds. Recently moving from Mexico, Jeffries faced a rough start with an ankle injury but quickly adapted to become a key contributor.
“Trusting my teammates has been crucial,” Jeffries noted. “We’re a solid team, and the confidence from our coaching staff is empowering.”
Graduate guard Ale’jah Douglas, who contributed significantly during last season, led the Lopes with 16 points off the bench. With nearly all players stepping into larger roles, they are getting used to facing tough competition.
“We’re all under more scrutiny now,” Gandy explained. “Players who weren’t the main options last year are now in the spotlight.”
Looking ahead, Idaho State is a formidable opponent. They are predicted to finish fourth in the Big Sky Conference and recently powered through their opener with a decisive win over Westminster. Senior Tasia Jordan, a key scorer for the Bengals, lit up the scoreboard with 26 points in that game.
“We have our work cut out for us,” Gandy acknowledged. “Every game will be a test, and we need time to come together as a team.”
The Lopes are eager to play in front of their fans after two scrimmages without an audience and their opener away.
“I believe our growth will be gradual,” said player Juliana LaMendola. “It’s all about teamwork and hard work.”
As they embark on this season, the Lopes are committed to building their identity and showing what they can achieve together on the court.
For more insights on women’s basketball and performance metrics, you can check out NCAA’s statistics.
