Bibbs coached in her sixth MEAC title game in 11 years

RALEIGH, March 15, 2008 – There are two moments during the 2007-08 North Carolina A&T women’s basketball season signified why Patricia Cage-Bibbs has been a successful coach for so many years.

She had to stand strong before a devastated group of Aggies after their chances of going undefeated in the conference were dashed by Hampton on March 3 and motivate them to get ready for one more regular-season game and a run to the MEAC Championship Game.

The Aggies made their run to the title game. Unfortunately, Bibbs had to stand before her team again in the locker room at the RBC Center and fight back tears in a show of strength and proclaim in no uncertain terms the Aggies women’s basketball program is too good to be denied for much longer. On Saturday afternoon the Aggies lost the MEAC Championship game to Coppin State 72-70 at the RBC Center.

Bibbs didn’t get caught up in pointing fingers other than to point her team forward toward to what lies ahead for a program losing only one senior.

“I have to be a leader,’’ said Bibbs. “If I complain about this or that they will do the same. I want them focused on what they accomplished this year. They shouldn’t lose sight of that and they shouldn’t forget this feeling because we plan to be back here again next year. I’m so very proud of these ladies.”

It can be argued even without the NCAA bid it was the best season on record for the program. The Aggies have a RPI of 81, unheard of in years past. The Aggies won their first regular-season championship in 18 years. They have won a school-record 25 games along with a school-record 15 conference games. They broke team records in points, points per game, scoring margin, assists, steals, rebounds and free throws made. Plus, the Aggies are still going to the postseason after receiving a WNIT bid.

 “When I came here I promised a championship because A&T deserves it,’’ said Bibbs, who was named MEAC Coach of the Year. “The fan support here is unbelievable. When people show up and show that kind of support they should be rewarded. I guess we can start with this WNIT championship.”

Bibbs points to one thing as a key contributor and the players point to something else. Bibbs realized she had her three top guns coming back in Amber Bland, Ta’Wuana “Tweet” Cook and Brittanie Taylor-James. What she didn’t have a year ago were three other outstanding players.

A year ago, freshman Jalessa Sams was playing high school basketball in New Castle, Pa. Sophomore forward Lamona Smalley was nursing a season-ending knee injury she sustained 16 games into the season. Nancy Rembert, a player Bibbs thought she was going to have last season, had to sit out because of NCAA rules. It resulted in the Aggies finishing the season with eight players and was upset in the MEAC quarterfinals.

“Those kids have made all the difference in the world,’’ said Bibbs. “A kid like Nancy could have packed in this year after what happened to her last year. But she put al on the line and really stepped up for us. I thought (Tyronnica Alford) made a big difference too because she gave us a backup point guard.”

Bibbs added that Sams will one day turn into a great vocal leader as well as a demonstrating leadership through her play. Meanwhile, Smalley was the talk of the tournament among Aggie fans. “Lamona can start for any school in the country,’’ said Bibbs. “I’m glad she chose North Carolina A&T. She’s a special player.”

Ta’Wuana Cook has a different spin on the Aggies success this season. She said camaraderie was essential to the Aggies success.

“Last year you would have three people over here hanging out and then five people over here hanging out,’’ said Cook. “This year we hung out more as a team. We made an effort to make sure we were more together as a team.”

Whatever the formula, it was a successful one. The Aggies started the season by rallying from 18 down to beat Stetson. It became a microcosm of the Aggies season. They were by many accounts a second-half team. In conference play their average lead at the half was 8.4 points. Their average margin of victory was 20.6 points.

The season also included Bibbs winning her 400^th career game on Nov. 23 when the Aggies beat UNC Asheville in the UNC Greensboro Tournament. The Aggies won the UNCG Tournament, nearly upset Texas A&M over the Holidays and ran off a school-record 15 straight wins.

"It was a good run but we still have some unfinished business to take care of,'' said Bibbs.