The Katrina Merriweather era is officially underway in Clifton as the Bearcats are just two short weeks away from their home opener vs nationally ranked Louisville. However, Katrina Merriweather is looking to lead her alma mater into the Big 12. Merriweather returns to Cincinnati after spending the last two seasons at the University of Memphis, where she led the Tigers to their first 20-win season since 2012-2013 as the Tigers made a deep run in the WNIT this past spring.
“When the phone rang in March to return to Cincinnati, I honestly didn’t know if it was the right time for me to leave Memphis because of what we were building,” said Merriweather “I know people may not believe it was a difficult decision for me because it was my alma mater. The only thing that could be worse during my career and not having the opportunity to work at the University of Cincinnati, would be to work at Cincinnati and not be successful. It took time and had a lot to do with whether or not my current staff had any interest in going, and a ton to do with the core seven that ended up staying and being the leaders of this team for the upcoming season. Those would be the two most important factors in making that type of decision. It is a blessing, I am extremely fortunate, never in a million years did I know the position would be open and I would be qualified at the time it came open. The position came open five years ago as I was only a head coach for two seasons and hadn’t really done anything yet. Who knew the timing would ever match up the way it did. I am incredibly thankful. I am thankful for all the work the previous coaches and players have done before me and all of us so we could be in the position we are today in the Big 12.”
The Bearcats Woman’s basketball team features a lineup of eight newcomers ahead of the 2023-24 season, while returning seven key contributors. However, for the Bearcats they return 75% of their points, 77% of their rebounds, 82% of their assists, 73% of their minutes played, and 90% of their blocks from a season ago. This is a huge momentum block for Katrina Merriweather and the Bearcats after finishing the season averaging 4.7 blocks per game, which was good for 23rd in the nation, and first within the American Athletic Conference in 2022-2023.
Mya Jackson is back for her final year of college basketball as she looks to lead the Bearcats backcourt heading into the Big 12. Jackson, transferred to Cincinnati from Seton Hall, so she has quite the experience about playing in a power five conference and knows the test at hand. “Having that experience in the Big East, we played UConn, Depaul, Marquette, a bunch of great teams so being in the Big 12 has definitely helped me prepare for the Big 12,” said Jackson. “We are excited for this opportunity to be a part of the Big 12 and can’t wait to get started.”
A test that Jackson is looking quite forward too. Jackson has made 87 starts in her career, including 28 for the Bearcats a season ago. Jackson recorded five games a season ago with 10 or more points and 5+ assists. However, for Jackson her role may look a little different this year compared to last year after having to do just about everything on the court for the Bearcats a season ago, weather it was facilitate, score, rebound, you name it. Jackson, set career highs in minutes, points and assists as she averaged 11 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists per game in 2022-2023.
Jillian Hayes returns for her senior season as the Cincinnati native led the Bearcats in scoring and rebounding during the 2022-2023 season as she averaged nearly 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.3 blocks per game. Hayes, 1.3 blocks statistic is ranked 4th among returners in the Big 12. Hayes recorded 10 double-doubles and recorded 10 or more points in 23 of the Bearcats 30 games last year.
However, for Hayes her decision to stay home for the Bearcats despite the coaching change, and the reason why is much more than basketball. Hayes, has always embraced about what the city of Cincinnati has meant to her despite being a high four-star prospect coming out of high school, Hayes decided she was going to stay right here in her city and play for the Bearcats.
