BAY MINETTE, Ala. - The Coastal Alabama - South Women's Basketball program has announced its 2026-27 schedule as the Coyotes prepare to build on last season's 16-13 overall record and make a push in the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) Division I standings.

Led by fifth-year head coach and University of South Alabama Hall of Famer Cedric Yelding, Coastal Alabama - South opens the season at home against Enterprise State (Ala.) on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 2:00 p.m. CT inside Jack Robertson Arena on the Bay Minette campus.

The Coyotes will look to carry the momentum of a winning season into the new campaign while addressing the challenges they faced during conference play, where they finished 3-11 in the ACCC Division I standings.

"We are very excited about this year," Yelding said. "We are in week eight of a 10-week, 5:00 a.m. weight workout for preseason. Pretty much two-a-days through preseason, with gym workouts in the afternoon."

Yelding said the team's preparation has emphasized competition, conditioning and building the depth necessary to sustain success throughout a demanding schedule.

"We are looking to build off of a 16-13 season where we started out strong before falling back a bit in conference play," Yelding said. "I feel like our lack of depth and consistent competitiveness played a major role in how the season ended. It's been an exciting preseason with plenty of competition going on."

Following the season opener, Coastal - South travels to Reid State Tech (Ala.) on Nov. 3 before returning home for a Nov. 5 doubleheader with men's basketball against Lurleen B. Wallace Community College (Ala.). The 'Yotes will then host Wallace - Selma (Ala.) on Nov. 9 before welcoming sibling rival Coastal Alabama - North on Nov. 14 for the first of two meetings between the programs during the season.

The early-season schedule also features home contests against Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College on Nov. 19 and Delgado Community College (La.) on Dec. 5, along with a road trip to Delgado on Nov. 21. The Coyotes will close out the calendar year with a challenging stretch that includes Southwest Mississippi Community College, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Enterprise State, Wallace-Selma and Reid State.

Coastal Alabama - South kicks off the new year with a trip to Monroeville, Ala. for the second matchup against Coastal Alabama - North on Jan. 11 before opening ACCC Division I play against Shelton State (Ala.) in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Jan. 14. The Coyotes return to Bay Minette to host Gadsden State (Ala.) on Jan. 18.

The second half of the schedule features a series of important ACCC Division I matchups, including home contests against rival Bishop State (Ala.) on Jan. 25, Southern Union State (Ala.) on Feb. 1, Shelton State on Feb. 11, Wallace State - Hanceville (Ala.) on Feb. 18, Calhoun (Ala.) on Feb. 25 and Lawson State (Ala.) for the regular season finale on March 4.

The Coyotes will also face those same ACCC D-I opponents on the road as they work toward securing a place in the 2026-27 ACCC Division I Women's Basketball Championship Tournament, scheduled to begin March 11 in Talladega, Ala.

A significant storyline entering the season is the Coyotes' increased local presence. Six players from the surrounding area are part of the current roster, marking the largest number of local players during Yelding's tenure.

"We are also excited to boast six local girls on our current roster, the most we have had in my tenure," Yelding said. "We're hoping that our local kids will help with some local support."

The local contingent includes sophomore Shakira Williams, a Saraland High School (Ala.) product in Saraland, Ala.; sophomore transfer Keyona Royal, who attended Gulf Shores High School (Ala.) in Gulf Shores, Ala. before playing at Southwest Mississippi; freshmen Abby Johnson and Kamorya Johnson from Daphne High School (Ala.) in Baldwin County; freshman Kimani Lambert from Murphy High School (Ala.) in Mobile County.; and freshman Destiny Dixon from Alma Bryant High School (Ala.) also in Mobile County.

The Coyotes will also lean on a combination of returning experience and an influx of young talent. Four sophomores — Shamiya Oliver, Williams, Kennedy Gill and Monica Whack — headline the returning group after playing significant minutes last season. Baileigh Lett and Jordyn Henry also return to the roster.

Yelding expressed confidence in the leadership and competitiveness of the team's incoming freshmen, particularly guards Faith Bryant, Judeah Beatty and Lauren Nelson.

"We are also excited about the leadership and toughness of three freshmen guards Faith Bryant, Judeah Beatty, and Lauren Nelson," Yelding said.

With seven sophomores and seven freshmen comprising the roster, the Coyotes hope the balance of returning experience and new talent will help them compete more consistently across the season.

"We feel like we have increased our depth and are looking to play hard and compete at a high level, one game at a time," Yelding said.

Yelding also emphasized the importance of the people supporting the program as the Coyotes prepare for the season.

"We are very thankful for our staff, including assistant coaches Dion Lawson and Amber Wimberly, strength and conditioning coach Coley White, and trainer Gino Myers," Yelding said.

With preseason preparation underway and a full slate of non-conference and ACCC competition ahead, Coastal Alabama - South will look to establish its identity early, capitalize on its increased depth and build toward a strong finish in conference play.

For the complete 2026-27 schedule, visit the official Coastal Alabama - South Women's Basketball schedule page HERE.



 

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