“Katrina and her staff are incredible coaches, but also people and that really attracted me to stay at Cincinnati despite the coaching change,” said Jillian Hayes. “Cincinnati is my home first obviously I wanted to stay in my city, but just hearing coach Merriweather talk, her passion for the game is incredible. The way she wins and carries herself, she’s been in our shoes before wearing the same uniform was something that really made me want to stay at Cincinnati. This city means the world to me and my family, being raised here its why I am, who I am. This city has given us so much, whatever we can do to give back is extremely important to us. Cincinnati will forever and always be home.”
However, of the eight newcomers which are highlighted by three experienced transfers in Aicha Dia (Penn State), Destiny Thomas (Memphis) and Nia Clark (Marquette and Xavier). The Bearcats also welcome in a group of five freshman in the 2023 class which features Reagan Jackson, Abby Holtman, Brianna Byars, Ramiyah Byrd and Delaney Snyder. Katrina Merriweather spoke on the newcomers earlier this week in Kansas City at Big 12 media days and what she has seen from them ahead of the 2023 season, and who has stood out the most so far in the preseason.
“Destiny Thomas has been one that has stood out the most this offseason,” said Merriweather. “We were hoping Destiny would come in and establish herself in the post, and she has done quite that. She is tougher, stronger, faster than she was a season ago. Some of that has to do with age, her teammates, but a lot of it is credit to what our strength and condition coach Hong Tran. I think we are in a position where we got people are accepting and embracing their roles that will do whatever they can for this team to reach its potential.”
Bearcats’ players Mya Jackson, Jillian Hayes and Braylyn Milton are three key returners for the Bearcats this season. The trio broke down what this offseason has been like for them despite the coaching change and how the transition has been like under head coach Katrina Merriweather.
“The transition for me has been very smooth,” said Mya Jackson. “I had made a commitment to stay at Cincinnati for two years and so when you transition with coaching staff’s you never know what may happen. When Coach Merriweather came in this offseason you could tell she was very team, family oriented. She really cares about us as people, more so than players. Her leadership, work ethic, determination, it reminds me of myself. There was no better choice for me than to stay at Cincinnati.”
“Trina and her staff are incredible coaches, but also people. That really attracted me to stay at Cincinnati,” said Jillian Hayes. “Hearing her talk, her passion for the game, being in our shoes before, wearing the same uniform, it really made me want to stay.”
“The whole coaching staff is so caring. Not only do the make us better players, but people off the court as well,” said Braylyn Milton. “I feel like going into the season we will be prepared for everybody ahead of us and outside of basketball, being prepared for life as well. I am really appreciative of this coaching staff.”
Bearcats kick off the season with an open fanfest this Sunday at 2 pm in Fifth Third Arena. A fanfest that is essentially considered as an open practice to come check out the current team ahead of the 2023-2024 season. However, Katrina Merriweather encourages people to come out to Fifth Third Arena and check out the free event this Sunday.
“We have had ideas to do open practices before, but in true Bearcat fashion, open practices turn into fanfests. I think it is going to be a lot of fun,” said Merriweather. “We want to get the community involved engaged and involved in what we are doing. We want people who are going to come and connect with our student athletes so that when they are playing, they can identify with them. I am really excited. I think it’s very important that people need to see how hard these women work. I think people need to see the energy, how we are stepping up and doing everything we can in order to compete on the big stage.”
The Bearcats kick off the season November 6th vs nationally ranked Louisville at Fifth Third Arena, as part of a double header as Wes Miller and the Men’s team will follow shortly after. However, the Bearcats know they have a huge task at hand to kick off the season as their nonconference slate features five teams that made the 2023 NCAA Tournament. However, they will play 12 games throughout the 2023-2024 season that competed in the NCAA tournament with four of those teams being ranked in the Top 25 to start the season.
“I would show up to every game,” said Katrina Merriweather. “Everyone should feel as if every game you come to at Fifth Third Arena, you are going to get your monies worth because there’s going to be high level basketball and competition.”
