The Eureka College women’s basketball team will enter the 2026-27 season with a roster that looks very different from what it did a year ago. With nine newcomers and only two active returning players, the team is spending the preseason learning how to play together while building relationships on and off the court.
For a team with so many new faces, developing chemistry has become an important part of preparing for the season. The players are not only learning a new system but also getting used to each other’s playing styles, personalities, and roles on the team.
For head coach Isaiah Pace, building chemistry starts with the time the players spend together on the court.
“Building chemistry comes with practice reps, learning systems, and knowing how each player’s role fits with their teammates,” Pace said.
The team has also spent time together away from practices. During the summer, the players participated in Zoom meetings, open gyms, team outings, and other bonding events. These activities have given the players opportunities to become more comfortable with one another before the season begins.
For newcomer Demayiah Gaines, joining a team where most of the players were new gave her something to look forward to.
“It was exciting to be joining a team where mostly everyone was new; I looked forward to bonding with my teammates at first,” Gaines said.
As the preseason has continued, Pace has noticed the players becoming more connected. He said the team has started to help one another with skill development and support each other during practices.
“I’ve noticed that the team has grown closer in a sense that they try to help each other with skill development, they cheer for each other, & are protective of each other,” Pace said.
Although the team has made progress, the chemistry is still developing. Gaines described the current chemistry as “sporadic,” showing that the players are still learning how to come together as one group.
Building that trust can be one of the challenges that comes with having so many new players. Some players are also coming from different programs and experiences, making it important for everyone to buy into the same culture and expectations.
Pace said one of the biggest challenges is “getting everyone to trust the process of getting better and buying into the culture of the team,” especially when players may have had different experiences at previous programs.
Communication has also been important as the players learn a new system. With everyone coming from different basketball backgrounds, making sure the team understands the same expectations can help the players work toward the same goals.
“It’s very vital that everyone hears the same message and understands it the same way,” Pace said.
The two returning players also provide some familiarity for the newcomers. Having players who already understand Pace’s system and expectations gives the new players teammates who can help them adjust to the program.
The team has also shown that it is willing to compete. Through practices and preseason workouts, Pace has learned that the group is “really competitive at everything.”
Gaines believes she can contribute to that competitive mindset as well. She said she brings “toughness and a winning mindset” to the group.
As the season gets closer, the team still has work to do before it can fully understand what it can accomplish together. The players are continuing to learn each other’s strengths while building the trust and communication needed on the court.
For Gaines, the goal is simple as the team moves closer to its first games.
“I’m looking forward to seeing if we can win,” Gaines said.
With nine newcomers and two returning players, Eureka women’s basketball is still developing its identity. The team is learning how to turn a group of individual players into teammates who can rely on one another. As the season approaches, that chemistry will continue to develop through practices, communication, and time spent together.
