Antelope Valley Pioneers Womens Basketball Tickets

As the popularity of women’s basketball continues to grow, small colleges and universities across the country are following suit by expanding their sports programs and offering opportunities for young women to showcase their talents on the court. These programs may not always get the attention that larger schools do, but they are still a critical part of the sport.

One such program is the Antelope Valley Pioneers women's basketball team out of Lancaster, California. The Pioneers play in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and are part of the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC).

At first glance, it may be easy to overlook a smaller school like Antelope Valley, but this program has made significant strides since its inception. They have gone from being a new program with no conference affiliation to competing against some of the best teams in Southern California.

Head Coach Kelly Porterfield is proud of the program's growth, rooting it in the work ethic of her players. "They show up every day ready to work hard," she said. "We may not have the biggest gym or the fanciest facilities, but our players understand the importance of taking care of what we have and making the most of it."

The Pioneers may not yet have a national championship under their belt, but that doesn't diminish the efforts of the coaching staff and players. They regularly compete against other strong programs in the GSAC, including Westmont College and Vanguard University. Each game presents an opportunity to improve, learn, and grow as a team.

One notable player from the Pioneers’ roster is sophomore guard Hailey Cooke. Last season, Cooke earned the GSAC Freshman of the Year award and was named to the All-Conference First Team. During the 2019-2020 season, she averaged 16 points per game and was a vital part of the Pioneers' success.

Cooke says she chose to attend Antelope Valley because of the program’s mission and coaching staff. "I love that the program isn't just about basketball but has a focus on building strong relationships and creating great memories with teammates," she said.

The Antelope Valley Pioneers women's basketball team may not make headlines often, but they serve as an essential part of the broader college women's basketball landscape. These smaller programs provide talented young women with opportunities to play at a high level, receive an education, and develop lifelong friendships.

As Coach Porterfield notes, "We're all working towards something bigger than just ourselves. It's about creating a legacy and leaving this program better than when we arrived." The Antelope Valley Pioneers women's basketball team is doing just that, one game at a time.