After a difficult season last year, the Palm Beach Atlantic University women’s basketball team is looking to the abundance of new players to bring a winning tradition to the program.

Head Coach Robin Potera-Haskins is optimistic about the season and hopes that the Sailfish can finally reach their full potential.

“This program has overcome many adversities. There were a lot of injuries before the season even started last year, which put us in a difficult situation,” Haskins said, “but God has brought in the new players to infuse the program with success.”

Coach’s Perspective on the Team

The expectations for the team are to develop a winning culture with an atmosphere of spirit-filled competitive play. With the youth on this team, the goals should be very much obtainable.

“We are very young but talented, and we have a good mixture of veterans,” Haskins said.

The Sailfish starting lineup will consist of two freshmen, including starting point guard Lynsey Poole.

“Lynsey is extremely exciting, with tremendous speed,” said Haskins. “She plays like Spud Webb.”

In addition to Poole, freshman Hayley Fields from Plano, Texas, will also be in the Sailfish starting lineup. She is one of five players on the team that are from Texas. Fields is an intelligent player and a pure shooter.

Another freshman on the team that will provide some offense is Jordan Kong, who has tremendous 3-point ability.

“I feel really blessed to be on this team, and I’m really enjoying being a part of it,” Kong said. “I think if we keep our focus right and play well together, then we have a very good chance to be successful this year. Furthermore, I think we have the potential to develop into one of the best women’s basketball programs that PBA has ever had.”

Chanell Byrd will start at the small forward spot. She returns this season after tearing her ACL the first day of practice last year. She is fully recovered and is a strong offensive threat with great one-on-one moves.

Brooke Burgess and Kristine Webb are two vital parts of the Sailfish and look to provide the toughness and scoring for the team on the inside.

Burgess led the team in scoring and rebounding last year, averaging a double-double, 15.9 points per game and 11.3 rebounds per game. She is a very physical player who has a tremendous ability to rebound.

Webb comes to PBA by way of Winthrop University. After almost calling it quits from the game of basketball, she decided to continue here career at PBA and looks to be an inside presence for the Sailfish.

Senior Melissa Perez is a very talented point guard and also one of the captains. Sitara Richard will provide more three-point ability for the Fish, as she shot over 40 percent from three-point land last season.

Senior Ashley Adkins is still recovering from injuries but will add desire and determination to the team, and freshman Loren Wilkins has impressed the coaching staff with her defensive skills.

Selethia Jackson, 6’1, from nearby Suncoast High, is an athletic freshman who will add depth to post play, while Melissa Sandison offers the Sailfish great leadership both on and off the court.

Looking Forward

Expect a very fast-paced and exciting brand of basketball with all the young talent that is present in this season’s version of the PBA women’s basketball team.

Developing a winning tradition won’t be easy. Similar to last season, the Lady Sailfish have a very difficult schedule ahead of them, but Coach Haskins believes there is an incredible foundation to start building on in her second year of coaching at PBA.

“We are building a program from scratch,” Haskins said. “It is going to be exciting for the fans to watch the program develop into a champion.”