Carol Smith Rhoden (1999 & 2000 seasons)
Every story has a beginning and when writing about the generation-long dominance of Gulf Coast State College women's basketball, Carol Smith Rhoden, arguably, belongs in the opening paragraph.
Neither Gulf Coast coach Rory Kuhn nor Chipola coach Greg Franklin were entirely sure why their teams needed to play a one-game playoff in Niceville on Tuesday night to break their second-place tie at 7-5 in the Panhandle Conference standings.
Both the Gulf Coast men's and women's basketball teams faced virtual, if not literal, must-win games on Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee, though only the Commodore women ensured that their season would continue.
The Gulf Coast men's and women's basketball teams split a pair of road games at Pensacola on Wednesday night, with women falling 68-64 to the Pirates before the men notched an 89-73 win.
PANAMA CITY — In the first two meetings this season against Northwest Florida State, Gulf Coast held a fourth quarter lead before running out of gas late and allowing the Raiders to escape with close wins.
Both Gulf Coast men's and women's basketball teams missed out on opportunities to claim second place in the Panhandle Conference on Wednesday night thanks to road losses to Chipola in Marianna.
In Gulf Coast's first meeting with Tallahassee on Jan. 15, the Commodores gave up an eight-point halftime lead en route to a 67-65 road loss.
PANAMA CITY — Leading by six points with just over a minute to play in regulation of Saturday's Panhandle Conference game against No. 9 Pensacola State, Gulf Coast coach Rory Kuhn couldn't help but experience a bit of déjà vu.
The last time the Gulf Coast women played Pensacola State, the Commodores had a six-point lead with just over a minute remaining in regulation and a golden opportunity to even their Panhandle Conference record at 1-1.
