Jackson, MS-The Belhaven women's basketball team recently concluded the 2009-10 season that saw some ups and downs. However, the Blazers finished strong down the stretch and played hard in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament winning their first game against Dillard and nearly upset top seeded Xavier University of Louisiana in the quarterfinals. Belhaven was led by seniors Jira Williams, Courtney Ward, Mallory Hammack and Stasha Thomas who each turned in solid years.

Belhaven got out of the gate strong winning six of their first eight games to open the season. The Blazers kicked off the season with an 82-76 win on the road at Wesley College, but lost a tough decision at Blue Mountain 74-72 their next time out. However, Belhaven responded well and reeled off four straight victories at home to go to 5-1. During that stretch, the Blazers won their home opener 74-54 against Wesley followed by a convincing 85-45 win over Mid-Continent University. The Blazers then knocked off Pensacola Christian University 75-44 and avenged their earlier loss at Blue Mountain with a 61-55 win against the Lady Toppers.

Following a loss at Talladega College 71-59, Belhaven pounded Rust 68-53 and then played an exhibition game at NCAA Division I Troy University. The Blazers then matched their longest winning streak of the year winning two games against Talladega and Blue Mountain in the Coaches versus Cancer Classic on December 18th and 18th followed by a 74-55 win at cross town rival Millsaps College on New Year's Eve. Belhaven capped off the four game winning streak with a thrilling one point 68-67 win at Dillard University in their GCAC opener a week later.

Belhaven then hit a bit of a rough patch losing their next three contests at home against William Carey University, LSU-Shreveport, and the University of Mobile. The Blazers snapped their three game skid by upsetting Loyola University 51-48 who was ranked 24th at the time, lost at Southern University of New Orleans and then pulled out a 74-72 win in overtime against Spring Hill College to go to 12-6 on the year. Unfortunately, Belhaven would only pick up one more win in their final 11 regular season games which came against Dillard on February 6th 56-47.

Belhaven headed into the GCAC Tournament with a 13-16 record and opened up the postseason with a 67-57 triumph over Dillard. The win by the Blazers advanced them into the quarterfinal round where they met up with the top seed and 19th ranked Xavier University of Louisiana. Belhaven knotted the game at 61-61 with just under three minutes to play, but Xavier scored eight unanswered points to claim the 69-61 win that ended the Blazers season. Belhaven finished the year with an overall record of 14-17 and 4-14 in conference play which placed them eighth in the GCAC standings.

Jira Williams, a senior forward from New Orleans, LA, led the Blazers in scoring with 11.8 points per game in 2009-10. On defense, Williams tied with Courtney Ward with a team high 70 steals ranking them fifth in the GCAC in that category. Williams was second on the team in blocks with 14 and worked hard on the boards all season averaging 4.36 rebounds per contest. Williams was a GCAC All-Conference selection for her efforts during the 2009-10 season.

Octavia Mullins, a sophomore forward from Lancaster, TX, was the team's second leading scorer averaging 9.1 points per game. Mullins led the team in rebounding hauling down 6.7 boards per contest and was eighth in the GCAC in that category. Mullins averaged right around three offensive rebounds per game which was fifth best in the GCAC.

Jessica Barlow, a sophomore from Marrero, LA, had a big year for the Blazers in 2009-10 and should be a big contributor to the team next season. Barlow finished the year averaging 8.2 points and six rebounds per game with three boards per night coming on the offensive end of the floor. Barlow had a team high four double doubles this past year and led Belhaven in blocked shots with 15.

Brittany Carr, a junior from Jackson, MS, averaged 7.5 points per game with a 4.8 rebounds per game average during her first season in a Blazer uniform. Senior Courtney Ward who hails from New Orleans, LA, had another great season for Belhaven distributing the ball at the point guard position. Ward dished out a total of 119 assists and averaged 5.2 points per game. She was third in the GCAC in total assists and was second in the league in assists per game at 3.84. On the defensive side of the ball, Ward along with Williams was sixth in the GCAC at 2.26 steals per game.

As a team, Belhaven held their opponents to 62 points per game thanks in part to one of the toughest defenses in the country. The Blazers were eighth in the NAIA in total steals at 388 and were ninth in the nation in steals per game at 12.5. On the offensive side of the ball, Belhaven averaged 62.3 points per contest and were sixth in the NAIA in offensive rebounds per game at 17.

The 2010-11 season looks bright for Belhaven as the team has had a great offseason when it comes to recruiting. Two of the key signees are Erika LeFlore and Kiara Johnson who should make an immediate impact next year. LeFlore, a native of Baker, LA, led Baker High School to the 3A Louisiana district championship with a win over Madison and made it to the 3A State Finals before falling to Carroll. LeFlore was named First Team All-State and was also selected as the 7-3A MVP for her efforts in the 2009-10 season. Leflore has scored over 1,000 points and pulled down 1,000 plus rebounds during her high school career.

Johnson, a native of Wiggins, MS, is a transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and averaged 16.7 points per game for the Lady Bulldogs. Johnson, a 5'5 point guard also averaged three steals and three assists per contest last season. Johnson took part in the MACJC All-Star Game on March 25th and was selected as the game's MVP.

Belhaven has a number of new and talented players returning next year and there are a lot of pieces in place to build on which should lead to an exciting 2010-11 season.