For most, the only real way to describe last season for the UL women’s basketball team was a total nightmare.

After all, the Ragin’ Cajuns endured a 5-26 season overall and 2-16 showing in Sun Belt play.

Longtime coach Garry Brodhead prefers to describe it as a learning experience.

“It was something I’ve never experienced before, none of us had – being shorthanded in almost every aspect of the program,” he said. 

Yet, only about five weeks after the conclusion of the season, coach Garry Brodhead can already see signs of progress from every angle.

A year ago at this time, there were zero returning players on the roster and the less than half of the spots on the coaching staff filled.

No conditioning workouts were taking place.

This time around, six girls returned for the 2026-27 season to go with four incoming freshmen. In addition, one junior college player has been added and three other signees are expected in the coming weeks.

“Things are going very well right now,” Brodhead said. “I feel really good about where we are. We’re way ahead of where we were last year at this time. We’ve got six girls doing workouts right now. None of that was taking place last year.

“Not having all the resources you’re used to taught us how to better utilize those resources in a better way. I know I learned a lot.”

 The six players returning include: last year’s freshman trio of Imani Daniel, Arionna Patterson and Amijah Price, as well as Mikaylah Manley, Jazmyne Jackson and Kahlen Norris.

“It’s very encouraging,” Brodhead said of the six key players who elected to return. ” We were more worried about. It was kind of mutual agreement on the ones that didn’t come back. We couldn’t have asked for any better.”

As an indication of how “much a family” the program remained despite all the losing, Brodhead said he recently had a crawfish for the team and even the departed attended.

“They’re all just good kids,” he said. “We all want what’s best for one another. You always hear that you want to be a family and I think that’s what we are. Even with all the situations you hear about with NIL and all that stuff, but we’re still able to come together for one common goal.

“We’re still trying to do the old-school stuff too.” 

Jackson transferred from Georgia Southern, but could only watch from the bench all season with an injury.

The junior college signee is Kennedi Johnson – a point guard from Tyler Junior College. Johnson averaged 16 points, six rebounds and five assists a game.

The four incoming freshmen is an accomplished group for sure.

Kayllis Walker was recently named as the Class 5A State Player of the Year after leading Laurel High to the state championship with 20 points and nine rebounds in the finals.

The 6-foot-2 post averaged 16 points and nine rebounds in her three-year high school career.

John Curtis point guard Bailey Timmons led the Patriots to a state championship at 25-1. She was named as the All-Metro MVP averaged 14 points, eight rebounds and three assists a game.

Brodhead said a connection with assistant coach Temeka Johnson helped sign Indiana All-State performer Kelis Dansby, who averaged 14 points and five rebounds. The combo guard scored over 1,000 points in her high school career.

Also, there’s Senegal native Aminata Sowe, who stands 6-foot-3, from Chattanooga, Tennessee.

“They’re freshmen, but they’re really not,” Brodhead said. “Some of them are 20 years old and played club ball. We’ve got size coming in and some toughness. We’re going to be a lot tougher this year.

“I think the defense is doing to be better, as well as the offense.”

Even more encouraging is the coaching staff is not only coming back intact, but is also growing. A year ago at this time, the program only had a head coach and a director of operations.

Johnson and Marvin Harvey, who joined the team at midseason last year, are both returning.

Brodhead said one more assistant is being courted, as well as two graduate assistants.

“We’re going to be in a lot better shape than we were last year,” Brodhead said. “Last year, I would say motivated us more than it discouraged us.”