GIBSON ENJOYING HER FIRST BASKETBALL SEASON AT ABAC

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            Latasha Gibson, a freshman allied health major from Thomasville, is having a lot of fun and gaining loads of experience playing basketball for the Abraham Baldwin College Fillies. At press time, the Fillies were ranked 17th in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) with a record of 8 – 1.

            Gibson is ranked first in the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association (GJCAA) in overall field goal percentage, hitting on 40 of 58 shots for a torrid 69 percent. She is ranked third in rebounding, with 79 rebounds in the nine games the Fillies have played, an average of 8.8 per game. Gibson also averages 10.3 points per game.    

Gibson, who played basketball for Thomas County Central High School for four years, said college basketball is different from high school basketball.

            “College basketball has a faster pace, and it’s rougher,” Gibson said. “But I am really enjoying myself, and I am using the talent God gave me as best as I can. I am also learning a lot from the sophomores on the team and becoming more experienced with each game.”

 Julie Conner, the women’s basketball coach at ABAC, said Gibson is a strong player.

“Her strength gives her the ability to play against more experienced players,” Conner said. “She works hard and plays well. In the game we just played against Hillsborough Community College, Gibson had 19 rebounds, the most ever in a game since I have been coach.”

  Conner is very excited about how well the team is playing this season.

“This is only the third year since women’s basketball has returned to ABAC, and we have never had a record of 8 – 1,” she said. “It is so exciting. The team is playing very hard, and the players have good chemistry for so early in the season. They work well together and are playing good basketball. Having eight sophomores and three freshmen really makes a big difference. The sophomores provide a lot of playing experience and leadership for the freshmen.

“Naturally, we were disappointed to lose our first game of the season, but that loss will serve as a motivational tool and a learning experience for the team. I think it will help everyone push themselves harder.”

Gibson said she really appreciates her high school basketball coach, Jenny Johnson.

“I appreciate all of her hard work,” Gibson said. “I had a good senior year, and I am grateful for all Coach Johnson did for me.”

Gibson, who plans to become an occupational therapist, hopes to be recruited to play basketball at a four-year college after graduation from ABAC.

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