At McNeese, head coach Ayla Guzzardo’s philosophy is recruiting early, so she and her staff welcomed five new members on Nov. 12, the first day of the early signing period for college basketball.
Four of the five signees are coming to McNeese straight out of high school. Guzzardo said she recruits players to fit a certain culture on and off the court, and young players who still have a lot to learn are moldable. She and her staff focus heavily on player development, so when they see potential, they pounce on the opportunity to build upon that.
“We’re big on seeing the potential in someone and getting them to that potential,” Guzzardo said.
Guzzardo added that she looks for a certain type of player. She explained that they begin their search in-state because Louisiana has a history of providing tougher style players, which fits into their gritty, fast-paced playing culture.
In-state players allow Guzzardo to watch them grow beyond just junior and senior year of high school. She said that she began recruiting Jalencia Pierre, the Cowgirls’ starting point guard, in eighth grade. She built trust and fostered a relationship with Pierre that ultimately led to a loyal partnership.
“Right now we have eight of our 14 from Louisiana,” Guzzardo said. “You kind of see them grow up, and they kind of see what you’re doing each year.”
Guzzardo is adding three Louisiana born players to her 2026-27 roster: Ava Raymond, Asia Patin and Alanna Benoit.
Raymond is a 5-foot-9 guard from Zachary. She is ranked second in the 2026 class and was a part of the 2025 state championship team at Zachary High School. Guzzardo said that Raymond caught her eye because of her size and speed on the court.
Guzzardo added that Raymond is going to be an essential part of continuing team culture. Raymond is coachable, marketable and was a “must-get” for the Cowgirls.
“She’s a little bit bigger than some of the guards, and she’s a lot quicker than some of the posts, so that 3-4 position that she’s going to play will be fun,” Guzzardo said. “We will pour a lot into her, and she’s going to give back a lot.”
Another Louisiana native, Asia Patin, is from Baton Rouge. Patin is a 5-foot-6 point guard, who is athletic and championship-proven, with three state titles under her belt from Southern Lab.
Patin is another player who works extremely hard and will be a force for the Cowgirls on defense. Guzzardo explained that Patin is a “defensive specialist,” who is going to step into her role and execute at a high-level from the jump.
“Asia Patin’s a great gift for us,” Guzzardo added. “She’s definitely going to step in and play a lot of minutes her early years.”
The last Louisiana recruit in this cycle is Alanna Benoit from Mandeville. Benoit is another player Guzzardo has been recruiting for a long time, who continues to improve every season. Her scoring ability has impressed Guzzardo in the past year, specifically from behind the arc.
As a 5-foot-9 guard, Benoit is able to use her size, skill and range to perform at a high level. Moving forward, the goal is to get Benoit stronger and tougher, so she’s even more versatile on the floor.
“She’s going to be fun the next few years,” Guzzardo said about Benoit. “I think that she hasn’t even reached close to the potential that she is.”
Despite most of her roster being from Louisiana, Guzzardo recognized that sometimes they have to cross state lines. Delaney Arredondo, a 5-foot-5 point guard from San Antonio, Texas, who has a hunger for winning. At Judson High School, Arredondo scored over 1,000 career points and was a member of three district championship teams.
Arredondo is a scoring point guard. She can shoot at the three, at mid-range and can get into the paint, which makes her a three-level scorer. Not only will she be an asset offensively, but her work ethic will initiate successes in other areas on and off the court.
“She was fun to get because she’s one of those ones from Texas that you don’t think you really have a shot at,” Guzzardo explained. “She sees what we have to offer… she wants those bright lights, those big moments, and we’re able to put her in that.”
Oftentimes, players who are above the 6-foot mark, go to high-major conferences. Guzzardo explained that bigger players are successful in the Southland Conference because they are rare and hard to guard. With a team like McNeese that aims to play and win outside of their conference, size really matters.
That makes Malanie Francis, a 6-foot-5 center from Mandeville, Jamaica, a perfect fit. Even though she hasn’t been playing basketball for long, Francis shows excellent potential through her athleticism and work ethic.
At Santa Fe College, she put up numbers defensively. She is averaging 10 rebounds per game and “runs like a gazelle,” Guzzardo added.
“She’s got a lot to learn, but we have great people around to teach,” Guzzardo said. “We’re excited to get her in here over the summer.”
Preparation for the future is an important goal for Guzzardo. Recruiting early helps her know her roster a year in advance. She wants to be prepared for any scenario possible from seniors graduating to current players entering the transfer portal. Signing five players early ensures that she has replacements for the six players she knows she is losing.
“Right now, in this day and age, you want to prepare as much as you can,” Guzzardo added.
She and her staff continue to build and foster relationships with their players on and off the court. Guzzardo keeps her circle tight and is very family oriented, which translates to her staff and players. She relies heavily on her staff to uphold these standards, which creates trust and loyalty on every level. That’s the key to finding elite players and building an elite team.
“At the end of the day, if the ball stops bouncing, if you go through any adverse situation, does your coach have your back?” Guzzardo asked. “Here, they know we do,” she answered.
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