MONTICELLO - The University of Arkansas at Monticello women’s basketball team is geared up for another deep Gulf South Conference run after being a buzzer beater away from winning the GSC Championship last season.

Returning for his fourth year at the helm of the program, Chris Ratcliff’s expectations for a strong returning class are as high as ever.

Monica Perkins-Miller leads a mixture of veterans and talented incoming freshmen and transfers that will provide plenty of excitement on the court. Perkins-Miller had a career-year a season ago, averaging a double-double with nearly 13 points and 10 rebounds per game last season. She was rewarded with a preseason First Team All-GSC selection.

Joining Perkins-Miller are key returnees Taylor Clark (6.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg), Jerica Hubard (7.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg), and Yelitza Rivera (3.0 ppg, 1.4 rpg). All are expected to play major roles on this year’s team and are prepared to provide the much-needed leadership that is vital to the team’s success.

Ratcliff knows that this team is a result of a long process that has continuously raised the program’s bar every year.

“This is year four of a building process that is geared toward making a championship team,” said Ratcliff. “We’re excited about where we are going and we know that the expectations are high on me, the girls, and this program.”

The incoming recruits range from true freshmen to Junior College and NCAA Division I transfers, and they are all being prepared to contribute immediately. Ashley Hawkins (Alcorn State) and Chelsea Johnson (Centenary) are two D1 transfers that the coaching staff fully believes can make an impact early.

The GSC Preseason Coaches Poll has the Cotton Blossoms finishing third in the West Division, but Coach Ratcliff is no stranger to exceeding the expectations of the preseason rankings. In each of Ratcliff’s first three seasons as head coach, his team has finished ahead of their projected finish.

“We fully expect to compete for the conference championship this year,” said Ratcliff, “Especially after being so close last year.” It won’t be easy for them, as perennial power Delta State and “Sweet 16” participant Ouachita Baptist return as hopefuls for the crown.

The Blossoms open the season against three Division I opponents, beginning November 5, traveling to Monroe, La. to face ULM. After that, the team travels to Mississippi State and Northwestern State. All three are exhibition contests for the Cotton Blossoms, meaning the games will not count towards UAM’s official season record.

Coach Ratcliff believes that playing these programs will help the team prepare for a tough conference schedule. “If we can compete with those teams, we can play against any Division II program out there,” said Ratcliff.  

UAM opens up its regular season on November 20 in the Third Annual Dr. Mary Jane Gilbert Classic in Monticello against Mobile and Arkansas-Fort Smith.