Older, experienced YSU women begin official practices
Trending
YOUNGSTOWN -- In each of the past two seasons, the Youngstown State women's basketball team's roster has largely been made up of younger players. That's not the case anymore, however.
A handful played significant minutes as freshmen, then others entered the fold last year after improving or returning from injuries as redshirt freshmen and sophomores.
With all the minutes and games under their belt now, this year's group of Penguins certainly isn't young or inexperienced anymore.
"I am a big believer that experience is your best teacher, and that group, those returners have gotten a lot of experience. They've logged a lot of minutes in a YSU uniform. So hopefully, when they're tested and they're in those moments, they can turn to that [experience]," head coach Melissa Jackson said. "I think they walk in the gym with a little bit more pep in their step. Now they know all the drills in practice. They know our principles, and they're teaching the freshmen."
The experience begins with YSU's seven returners, all but one of whom are either juniors or seniors now. Then amongst the Penguins' five newcomers, the program added a junior, a senior and a fifth-year.
With experience comes a higher level of confidence and comfort, according to Jackson, and that's something she's seen translate on the court throughout the summer and as YSU began official practices for the 2026-27 season on Monday.
"We do have a lot of experience. Not only on the court, but in practice," junior Danielle Cameron said. "We practice every day, so you know what's going on. Even though we're still putting in new things, obviously it feels more comfortable, which also I think makes it easier to actually learn the new stuff.
"Practices just flow more. [Jackson's] still teaching us new things, and it's the beginning of the season, but like she said, we know the drills, we know she wants things to go and then everybody just follows that."
Jackson said the team had a productive summer meshing the returners with the newcomers.
In addition to strength training in the weight room and skill development on court, the Penguins spent a significant portion of time focusing on their transition offense.
"When you're bringing transfers and true freshmen into your program, we are very blessed to have an unbelievable core group that has chosen to return and really lead them," Jackson said. "I think they did a great job in the summer instilling our principles and our values, and those newbies picked it up right away. So it's been a really good mesh bringing the new together with the old."
But with summer now in the rearview mirror, there's a different level of urgency for the Penguins over the next 40 days, as YSU has its sights set on the season opener on Nov. 2.
"I think this group is hungry, and they're super competitive. But I also feel like their confidence level right now is much higher than it's ever been," Jackson said. "Obviously we had some great success last year, but we fell a little bit short of our goal. So I think that group collectively knows where this program is going, and can be, and they have some unfinished business that they want to take care of."