Lamar, Tenant, and resilience: How Bethel women's basketball is defying the odds
Lamar, Tenant, and resilience: How Bethel women's basketball is defying the odds
The team has taken each game as an opportunity to learn and grow under interim head coach Rocky Lamar and assistant Sydney Tenant.
In the realm of basketball, success isn’t merely measured in wins and losses but in the journey, the growth, and the resilience of a team.
The recent triumph of the Bethel College women’s basketball team is a testament to the dedication of Rocky Lamar — better known as Coach Rocky — who is the first-year interim head coach of the team, second-year assistant Sydney Tenant, and the players who have come together to create a culture of excellence and camaraderie.
Coach Rocky, with a coaching journey that spans decades, has instilled a passion for the game and a winning attitude in his players. Reflecting on his high school coach from 1967, he envisioned creating a new culture here at Bethel, even if it meant arriving in North Newton on short notice.
“I wanted to create a culture that the girls would enjoy becoming a part of and develop a winning attitude,” he said.
The fact that the team has already surpassed last year’s KCAC win total speaks volumes about the positive impact of Coach Rocky’s leadership. He emphasized the importance of finding girls who are committed to building a winning tradition within a culture that values integrity, hard work, and toughness. “Where doing more than your fair share is appreciated and where being tough is the staple of our program,” he said.
The success achieved so far in the league is a stepping stone toward the ultimate goal of making a significant run in the conference tournament.
“Where doing more than your fair share is appreciated and where being tough is the staple of our program.”
Rocky Lamar
Coach Sydney, relatively new to coaching but no less passionate, embarked on her coaching journey right after graduating from Bethel in 2022.
“I chose to stay in the area and continue my love for basketball in a new light,” Tenant said. Her decision to invest in Bethel and contribute to the basketball program underscores her dedication to the sport.
With a focus on playing fast, Coach Sydney has instilled a sense of competitiveness and a desire to make a mark in the conference tournament among her players, and in talking with her she shared, “My main goal for these girls coming in was to compete for a chance to go to the conference tournament and put 2024 on the banner in the [Thresher Gym].”
The ongoing season, though presenting its fair share of challenges, has seen significant progress. The team, despite facing tough opponents early on, has taken each game as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Coach Sydney’s recruitment plans include finding players with size, aiming to fill a missing piece in the team. The prospect of having the majority of the team return next year adds excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead.
Celeste Lemus, a junior from Pasadena, Texas, is one of the players under Tenant’s guidance and attests to the meticulous approach of the coaching staff: “[Lamar] has been very detailed about what he wants to see on the court.”
Despite not having played much for Coach Rocky, Lemus recognizes the attention to detail in practices and sees the team’s success as a product of overcoming challenges together. Her pride in the team’s unity and determination reflects the bond forged through adversity.
As the team recalls its recent successes, they know the 2023-2024 season is a testament to the hard work, resilience, and shared vision that has propelled the team to new heights, setting the stage for an exciting future.