(Top row, from left) Emily Bergin, Jill Williams, Maya Valdez, Katherine Rose, Hannah Cervone, Coach Orin Bailey; (bottom row, from left) Kelsea Rushton, Jessica Soders, Noelle Ogdee, Lauren Lehman. Not pictured: Paula Jimeno. (Photo: St. Thomas’ Episcopal Yearbook Staff.) 

For the last couple of years, the St. Thomas’ Women’s Basketball Program has been struggling, but that is no longer the case. The new coach, Orin Bailey, has 15 years of coaching at various schools and levels - including assistant coach positions at St. Thomas Catholic and the University of Houston and the head coach position at Incarnate Word - under his belt.

Along with a new coach, the team has a few returning players and many new players from the freshman class. Coach Bailey has put together a team of coachable, hardworking athletes.

“The team has a ton of potential. They just need to come together and gain experience,” said Coach Bailey.

This season, his goal is to resurrect the program, but long term, Coach Bailey plans to build the women’s basketball program into the best in the city.
 
“At STE we are building something new. We have a chance to be special,” said Coach Bailey.
 
The team is already off to a strong start with a win against The Emery Weiner School in their season opener and a third-place finish in their first tournament.