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With the new season approaching fast, the Gator women’s basketball team will look to continue last season’s success, finishing (22-9). The Gators season was cut short after blowing a 17-point lead to the Albany Great Danes, losing 61-59 in the first round of tournament play. Florida will try and establish their same defensive presence, despite the ACL injury to Simone Westbrook, who helped lead the way. The Gators ranked in the top seven in steals, steals per game and turnovers forced last season.
WATCH: .@GatorsWBK Senior Guard Simone Westbrook is currently out with a torn ACL, but she hopes to still make an impact off the court. pic.twitter.com/T0DY63Pp7c
— Darwin Patterson (@darwin_patt) October 6, 2016
Roster Additions
The Gators did some rebuilding in the off season—after losing players to graduation—adding five incoming freshman who can contribute to the Gators style of play right away. Senior guard, Ronnie Williams will also be back for her final season of collegiate basketball. Williams was a top-ranked prospect in the state of Florida for the 2012-13 signing class and ranked No. 13 overall in the country by ESPN. Williams lived up to the Gators expectations by leading the team in scoring the last two seasons with 10.3 points per game in 2014-15 and 11.1 in 2015-16.
WATCH: It's @Ronnipooh_01's last @GatorsWBK Media Day & she sat down with @meganparler to talk about her final year! https://t.co/azLN0G8z4V pic.twitter.com/bzKncSQdar
— Gators Creative (@GatorsCreative) October 6, 2016
The Gators officially began practice Monday at 6 a.m. working on defensive techniques. They ran their first offensive practice Tuesday.
Rise and Shine for Intense First #Gator Practice of 2016-17https://t.co/u81fZ1qhOk#GoGators #TLC https://t.co/Q9MZZAzeZB
— Gators Women’s Basketball (@GatorsWBK) October 5, 2016
Head Coach, Amanda Butler haven’t put last season’s disappointing ending behind. In fact she uses it as a rebuilding technique in hopes of elevating the team to the next level.
First Game
The Gators will play their first game Nov. 11 against South Alabama in Jacksonville, FL at the Veterans Memorial Arena. Tip off will begin at 5 p.m.
