Grambling State’s 2023-24 non-conference slate features “a diverse array of opponents across states,” per its preseason media notes. After playing in such locales as Houston, Texas; Tampa, Florida and Norman OK, and Arizona, the Tigers women’s basketball team now heads to the Twin Cities for a late-morning matchup against Minnesota on December 13 at The Barn (11:00 a.m. CST).
“Putting the schedule together is to put us in a position where we can compete with anybody that we step on the floor with,” said Grambling Coach Courtney Simmons.
“We want to make sure and bring our big coats because we know it’s going to be cold [and] the majority of my team are Southerners,” said Simmons on the upcoming matchup at Minnesota—the Tigers’ last non-conference game away from home.
“ We’re excited about the Minnesota game. I’m not trying to be overly confident,” continued Simmons. “I’m just trying to motivate my own players to know that you have a chance anytime Grambling is on the floor, no matter who we play.”
This season is Simmons’ first at Grambling State after 10 years as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Troy University. She earned her first head coaching victory in her first game, a 93-48 season-opening triumph over Chaplin Christian College on November 6.
Simmons told reporters in October during SWAC Media Day, including MSR, her anxiousness to get career win number one as quickly as possible: “My first time being a head coach and I want to get my feet wet,” admitted Simmons. “I want my first game to be something to remember. I need to go ahead and take care of that first game and try to get that first win.”
Four games later, Simmons notched her first signature win, handing Arizona State its first loss of the season 70-67 on November 16. Sophomore point guard De Mya Young hit the game-winner, a 3-pointer with 11 seconds remaining. It was the Tigers’ first win over a Power Five opponent since they beat Indiana in 2018.
The 5’10” Young (Manor, Texas) is one of five native Texans on this year’s Tigers roster—all but three players are from the South.
Grambling is historically well known for his football: “It is rich on tradition and rich on history,” explained Simmons. “My goal since I’ve taken over the program [in mid-April] is to try to find a way to mend these bridges [between football and women’s basketball].
As the Grambling male players are often known as “the G men”—“We’re gonna be ‘the G women’ … trying to put a good (team) on the floor,” declared Simmons.
This season, the Tigers are also counting on 6’2″ forward Anijah Grant, a grad transfer from Tulane, and a formable backcourt duo of 5’7″ sophomore shooting guard Jazmine Jackson and 5’7″ point guard and grad student Jordyn Carter.
Simmons brings to Grambling, Louisiana, a veteran coaching pedigree—at Troy, she worked with the guards, and the school won five Sun Belt Championships, and six postseason berths, including three NCAA trips during her 10-year stint there.
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native also worked under college and WNBA legend, now Chicago Sky head coach, Teresa Witherspoon, at Louisiana Tech (2012-13), as well at Trinity Valley (TX) Community College as an assistant coach for two seasons (2010-12) where the squad won an NJCAA national title (2011-12) and national runners-up in 2010-11.
She began her coaching career in 2008-09 as an assistant at Louisiana-Lafayette after a collegiate playing career at Louisville (2006-08), and a season at Trinity Valley after beginning her college career at Tulane in 2004-05.
The first-year Grambling HC said she relishes the challenge of building and sustaining a competitive program. Having good facilities is a plus, she noted. “I think our arena in itself is one of the nicest arenas in the conference,” said Simmons. “That is one of the biggest challenges for me is to continue to recruit a higher caliber of student-athlete.
“I want to play high impact, high intensity, fast-paced basketball because if I’m talking about people wanting to invest in our program, no one watching, including myself wants to watch boring basketball,” concluded Simmons.
Look for more on coach Courtney Simmons in future editions of the MSR.