MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. |  For the Georgia College & State University women's basketball team, the new season is defined by a commitment to culture change.

The 2025-26 season tips off this weekend on the Emmanuel (Ga.) University campus in Franklin Springs, Georgia. The Bobcats begin play at the Conference Challenge Classic Friday (Nov. 14) when they face Young Harris College inside the Shaw Athletic Center before facing Emmanuel at 4 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 15) .

Interim head coach Catrina Green prioritizes the team's development over game-day results. 

"My goals for the team are to enhance their student-athlete experience and establish a new culture centered on player development, service, and competitiveness," said Green. "A successful outcome involves finishing the season with healthy bodies and having each player improve their skill set leading into the next season." 

Green says "togetherness and work ethic" are the program's most valuable assets. The main challenge the team will face is the smaller roster, which requires them to work through low numbers throughout the season. 

The coaches are encouraging a straightforward and resilient mindset. Green stated her expectation for the team's competitive nature. 

"We are trying to instill a mindset of competing in each practice and each game, no matter the circumstance," she said.  

This approach resonates with the athletes.

Junior guard Celeste Scott expressed the team's ambition for the upcoming schedule. 

"I'm looking forward to making a statement this season," said Scott. "Every game is a chance to prove ourselves and grow as a team. I'm looking forward to facing tough competition and seeing how far we can push this year."  

Five players - senior guards Deshona Gaither and Bailey Vick, junior guard/forward Natalia Bolden, junior guard Nylah Nuri, and senior guard/forward Rose Bone - return from last year's team that advanced to the semifinals of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament. 

The Bobcats host the first of 14 home games inside the venerable Centennial Center Wednesday (Nov. 19) at 6 p.m. when they host Southern Wesleyan University. GCSU will open PBC play when they host Clayton State University Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m.

Entering the season driven by Coach Green's goal for development and a tight-knit, competitive environment, the GCSU women's basketball team is focused on building its new foundation, game by game. 

About GCSU Athletics 
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for four consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won five consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and four-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports or subscribe to the GSCU Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with GCSU Athletics.