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The Daytona State College Lady Falcons will have their work cut out for them this season. Following their 20-win season a year ago, the team saw four of its players graduate to Division-I programs and another to Division-II.?

The team does return three players from last year's team, however. LaTonda Bruce, who was named Second-Team All-Conference last season, is Daytona State's returning leading scorer and rebounder. Academic All-Conference forward Deja Montgomery returns to the team as well, along with local product Ashlee Hill, a former New Smyrna Beach High School graduate.?

"We will be successful as long as we play with heart and stay united," Bruce said of the upcoming season.?

First year head coach Cal Cochran takes over after working for one season with the college's men's team. Cochran, who is entering his 25th year in coaching, was the assistant coach a year ago and now brings his wealth of experience to the women's game. ?

Cochran says that the team will have a defensive-minded philosophy and will use strong defense to create points on offense with the fast break. He calls this a rebuilding year for the team, but says that he also dreams of winning the conference championship.?

The team's starting lineup will consist of guards Cassandra Callaway and Judith Obiero, guard/forward Tequila Jones, forward Zoelis Vega-Vega and forward/center Tracey Flowers. ?

Cochran is quick to point out, though, that it's not who starts the game that matters, it's who finishes the game.? Freshman Tracy Gentry, another local product, joins the team from Atlantic High School.

Last season at Atlantic, Gentry broke the school record for 3-point field goals in a season on her way to being named First-Team All-Area by the Daytona Beach News-Journal. Gentry will look to continue her success at the next level.?

"I am looking forward to having a good season as a team and accomplishing a lot together," she said.?

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