“I was really pleased with our conditioning,” said Fortner, heading into her fifth Auburn season. “Practice might have been a little sloppy at times, but we went hard and we were able to go hard. We went up and down the court for an extended period of time, so I thought our conditioning was way ahead of where we were at this point last year.“
"The key will be to see how we maintain, what we look like on the third day of practice. It is all about that mental toughness and fighting through the first part of practice and seeing how tough they are.”
The Tigers, who lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last season, will count on four seniors. Point guard Whitney Boddie, who missed Southeastern Conference play last season because she was academically ineligible, is back in good standing. She is joined by DeWanna Bonner, Sherell Hobbs and Travesha Jackson.
Bonner, a two-time All-Southeastern Conference choice, said Saturday was different than the first day of practice in other seasons.
“It was great today,” Bonner said. “We came out looking like a very quick, veteran team and had a fast-paced practice. “We have a whole different feeling and attitude on the court, and it was a lot of fun.”
Fortner said the Tigers have a long way to go to reach the lofty goals they have set for themselves.
“I’m very pleased overall for the first day, but I am in no way satisfied,” Fortner said. “We have big goals for this season. They are not going to be easy to achieve, but we are excited about trying to accomplish them.”
The Auburn Women’s Basketball Season Kickoff Celebration Is set for next Saturday.
The event, which will run from 1-3 p.m. at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum, will be open to the public and will feature an intrasquad scrimmage; a meet and greet with the team and coaching staff; an inflatable bounce house for kids under 12; face tattoos and balloons from the Auburn cheerleaders, Tiger Paws and Aubie; and an autograph session
with the team.
The Tigers play Anderson University in an exhibition game on Nov. 9 and open their season at Alabama A&M on Nov. 14. Their home opener will be against Temple on Nov. 17.
