Thursday, November 12, 2015
Volume 100 Issue 23
BASKETBALL
SPECIAL EDITION
Page 2 | Thursday, November 12, 2015 | Letter from the Editor
PAGE THREE
NEWS
Postseason Ban AD Bill McGillis announces selfimposed postseason ban.
PAGE FIVE
PAGE EIGHT
PAGE NiINE
F E AT U R E
OUTLOOK
OPINION
Iowa State tansfer looking to carve out niche for USM.
5 things to watch for Lady Eagles season.
Lady Eagles focus should be on creating mismatches.
Kourtlin Jackson
What to Watch
Playing Style
Letter from the Editor Joshua Campbell Sports Editor
This basketball special edition has been a long time coming. This is the fourth special edition I have presided over and the one I am proudest of. There has never been a sports special edition covering anything other than the Southern Miss football team. This is the first time we have put together a basketball special edition. One of our biggest priorities for this issue was to have equal coverage of both the Golden Eagles and the Lady Eagles. For a long time, the Lady Eagles did not receive nearly the same amount of media coverage as the men’s team. I am elated to be apart of changing that. This edition could not have been possible without all the efforts of my fellow staff members, but head coaches Doc Sadler and Joye Lee-McNelis carry just as much weight for this edition coming about. They have been commandeering every step of the way and wanted The Student Printz to have the loudest voice in their media coverage. The biggest component to making this issue possible is you, the reader. Without an audience, our work would be for naught. While this is just the first basketball special edition, we look forward to this issue being the first of many for years to come.
Opinions
Expressed in The Student Printz are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The Student Printz, its publication manager, USM, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the USM Board of Student Publications.
Editorial Policy
The views represented in The Student Printz’s columns and editorials do not necessarily represent those of the faculty, staff, or administration of The University of Southern Mississippi. We welcome letters to the editor representing similar and contrasting opinions. To be eligible for publication, all submissions must include name, class distinction, major, phone number, and email address. Submissions should be emailed to printzeditors@gmail.com by 5 p.m. Friday. Please limit them to 500 words or less. The Student Printz reserves the right to refuse publication or edit any material on the basis of clarity, space, or journalistic ethics.
Men’s Basketball | Thursday, November 12, 2015 | Page 3
Golden Eagles self-imposes postseason ban again Deantae Smith
those violations stem from academic fraud. Tyndall’s tenure dated For the second consecutive from April 2012 to April season, Southern Miss 2014. Previously reported will face a self-imposed in The Student Printz, the postseason ban due alleged violations range to an ongoing NCAA from how non-scholarship investigation centered athletes paid for tuition around former head coach, and living expenses, Donnie Tyndall. along with potential Last season, Athletic academic improprieties. Director Bill McGillis Tyndall left Southern Miss announced on Jan. 20 for Tennessee in the summer that the program would of 2014, but was fired by have a self-imposed ban, the Volunteers after just one keeping the Golden Eagles season at the helm as a from participating in result of the investigation. postseason play. On July Among the allegations, 22, the program received the NCAA alleges that two a notice of allegations former assistant coaches from the NCAA, many of traveled to complete online Sports Reporter
coursework for prospective student-athletes. A Level I violation, it took place between June 2012 and May 2014. Five of the seven prospective studentathletes ended up playing at Southern Miss. The NCAA also claims Tyndall has failed to cooperate with the investigation. The notice said “the former coach went as far as to obstruct the investigation by deleting pertinent emails and providing false or misleading information to enforcement staffers.” McGillis issued a statement after making the decision to withhold the program from
postseason competition. “I am very disappointed for the current members of our men’s basketball team and coaching staff, none of whom were involved in any alleged violation of NCAA rules. While excruciating due to the impact on the young men in our program today, the decision to withhold our team from postseason competition following the 2015-2016 season is appropriate given the findings of the recent university and NCAA review of our program.” Completion of the investigation is not expected until midspring 2016.
During media day, head coach Doc Sadler touched on the possibility of players redshirting this season for academic advancement opportunities. As a result of the ban, returners senior Norville Carey and sophomore Kevin Holland are considering redshirting this season. If Carey and Holland choose to redshirt, sophomore Kelvin Blevins would be the only returning player that received significant playing time for the Golden Eagles last season. The Golden Eagles open their season at Memphis on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.
fan base like Alabama will bring fans across the state line together. Alabama loses their top
This game is an early one for Southern Miss, just coming out of New Year’s break. The
as a litmus test. The experience of Norville Carey and others from last year will be missed in this matchup, as mostly everyone who plays will face Louisiana Tech for the first time.
Top 4 games to watch Julius Kizzee News Editor
Southern Miss @ Memphis, 11/14 Memphis used to be one of the Golden Eagles’ biggest rivals. After the mass conference realignment that made Memphis a member of the American Athletic Conference, the Tigers have not been pitted up against Southern Miss nearly as often. For the Golden Eagles, it will be a test to see just how well these transfers play together early in the season. This is not the same Memphis team from years past, but any chance that you get to play an old rival, tensions will be raised. Southern Miss will open the season with probably their biggest game of the year. Alabama @ Southern Miss, 12/04 A
crucial
game
for
Southern Miss, the Golden Eagles will host a Crimson Tide team that may be a disappoint on
Southern Miss @ Western Kentucky, 03/03 This matchup will pit a team that finished in the top 4 in the C-USA standings last year against a Southern Miss squad who should find themselves by season’s end. Western Kentucky finished 12-6 in the division last year so steady improvement Courtesy Photo/USA Today Sports Doc Sadler talks to Southern Miss Golden Eagles guard Chip Armelin. across the board will help the Hilltoppers paper, but will play their 5 scorers from last year, Bulldogs finished with the gain more respect in hardest on the trip down and if Southern Miss can best record in the league the league, maybe at to the Hub City. This get their defense together last year with a 15-3 Southern Miss’ expense. game sits high among by December, they could conference record and T.J Price, the Hilltoppers games to watch for for have a chance to pull off a 27-9 record overall. leading scorer a season Southern Miss, because the upset. Southern Miss’ roster ago, is playing in of the financial impact and rotation should just Europe now, but the it could have on the be rounding into form as Hilltoppers have enough university. An opponent Southern Miss @ they take on the league’s players capable of filling with a huge name and Louisiana Tech, 01/02 best team from last year the void.
Page 4 | Thursday, November 12, 2015 | Menʼs Basketball
Rotation filled with questions Deantae Smith Sports Reporter
Senior power forward Norville Carey is the team’s top returner after averaging just under 11 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Sophomores forward Keljin Blevins and guard Kevin Holland are the only other returners that averaged more than 10 minutes per game a season ago. Carey and Holland are contemplating redshirting this season, possibly due to another postseason ban, and could have a major impact on the rotation. Southern Miss fans should expect to see former Dayton guard Khari Price starting at point guard and newcomers, redshirt junior Michael Ramey and redshirt senior Kourtlin Jackson, in the back court as well. Blevins will likely be
a starter this season, playing in 25 games last season while starting 13 of them. Price’s experience and understanding of the game makes him the leading candidate to run the point guard position. Price average 22.4 minutes per game while at Dayton. While he is only 5-feet, 9-inches, Price was the 11th best three-point shooter in the Atlantic 10 conference as a true freshman. “(Price) understands the game like a coach,” Sadler said. Ramey, by season’s end, should be one of the conference’s top shooters from behind the arc. While at Seminole State College, Ramey led NJCAA in three-point field goal percentage at 59.3 percent. At 6-feet, 5-inches, Ramey can add extra length on the defensive end and help
Hunt Mercier/Printz Raheem Watts attempts to establish position in the post Nov. 5 in an exhibition game against Millsaps.
on the boards. Ramey is likely to be the first to come off the bench. Jackson’s character and familiarity with Sadler’s
system will transition well into an increased role. “I’ve known (Jackson) now for three years,” Sadler said. “(I’ve) known him longer than I have anyone else.” Much like Ramey, Jackson is a big guard at 6-feet, 4-inches. In his first action as a Golden Eagle, Jackson knocked down a pair of threes and finished the first half with 12 points against Millsaps. He went on to finish the game with 14 points. The potential absence of Carey will be felt in the front court, but expect those shoes to be filled by sophomore Eddie Davis III and junior Raheem Watts. Davis III, returns after missing a season due to injury. Davis III brings versatility to the front court as he is able to step away from the paint and make shots from mid range. Watts, a transfer
from Dodge City Community College, brings experience to the front court starting 30 of 33 games at Dodge City CC. Also, expect true freshman Tim Rowe to see action. At 6-feet, 11-inches, Rowe is the tallest player on the roster. Against Millsaps, he showed good potential as he was able to score 12 points and grab six rebounds in his debut. Rowe’s biggest impact may be on the defensive end; he finished the game with four blocks. While Rowe may not show up in the box score every game, his size and threat of blocking and altering shots will be key to locking down the paint. The Golden Eagles open their season on the road against former Conference USA foe Memphis Nov. 14. at 7 p.m.
Men’s Basketball | Thursday, November 12, 2015 | Page 5
Jackson eases in after transfer Jacob Kemp Sports Reporter
Kourtlin Jackson was one of the big steals in the offseason for Doc Sadler and the Golden Eagles. Jackson is a former Iowa State walkon, who transferred from the Cyclones in the offseason to reunite with Sadler. Coming from Iowa to Mississippi has been a culture shock for Jackson, who has been steadily trying to transition. “It’s been a big transition,” Jackson said. “From Iowa State, I knew a lot of people and I knew the area. It’s where I got my undergrad. But here I’m more interested in my masters and I love the team. I’m only here for a year but they treat (me) as if I’ve been here as long as Norville (Carey) has been here.” Sadler and Jackson were coach-and-player during the 2013-14 season, when Sadler was an assistant coach at Iowa State. Sadler
and Jackson enjoy a unique coach-player relationship, which is why Sadler reached out to Jackson to come to USM. “He brings a unique fight to him,” Jackson said. “You see the fight in his eyes and it makes you want to go to battle with him. That’s what I saw in him at Iowa State and that’s why I’m here now.” Unfortunately, the Golden Eagles will only have his services for the 2015-16 season. While the Golden Eagles have him, they should take full advantage of his versatile skill set. “I feel like I can lead this team a little bit and show them how to give their all,” Jackson said. “I feel like I can help offensively and defensively, offensive rebounding—just playing hard really.” While Jackson feels like he can help lead the team, he does not think it will be vocally. “I’m not much of a vocal
leader,” Jackson said. “I kind of lead by example. I’m working on being a more vocal leader, but I want to be that guy that shows the effort instead of speaking and talking and all that.” Normally Jackson would have to learn quickly, transitioning from one system to another, but he says that is not the case. A lot of Sadler’s plays were very similar to the ones that he ran at Iowa State. “We ran so many plays at Iowa State; it was ridiculous,” Jackson said. “There are a lot of (similar) sets here at Southern Miss, so I remember all the plays basically. It’s pretty easy to transition on that.” Jackson will be a big help in bringing some cohesiveness to the Golden Eagles. His knowledge of Sadler’s system will prove invaluable. Jackson said he expects things to be a lot better at USM now that the Golden Eagles will roster
Sadler, has praised Price’s talent and basketball IQ since the day he stepped onto the court as a Golden Eagle. “I really believe (Khari) Price can be as good a point guard as there is in this league,” Sadler said. “If things go the way that I think they will go, (the fans) will really enjoy watching him play the point guard position.” “I know Neil Watson was a great point guard here and I’m sure there were some other ones, but I would put Price up there as (being) as good as any point guard I’ve been around and coached.” Combining hearing those high praises from Sadler with what I’ve seen in practices and the exhibition game against
Millsaps, I would imagine that not only will Price lead the team in assists (which the starting point guard should), but he will lead the team in points and minutes played as well, barring injury. Iowa State transfer Kourtlin Jackson will play a huge role in the backcourt as well. He has great athleticism and a smooth shooting stroke. He tends to always be in the right place at all times, whether he is grabbing a rebound or making the extra pass. The way the Southern Miss schedule shakes out, fans should not expect a great year. With so many newcomers, it will take this team time to gel and figure out what its identity is. The biggest reason
Courtland Wells/Printz Photo Editor Kourtlin Jackson attempts a three-pointer Nov. 5 against Millsaps.
more than seven players. “I feel like we’re really going to shock this league,” Jackson said. “We’re the underdog right now, and people don’t expect us to do much. But we have a good group of guys that can compete and do really well
in this league.” The Golden Eagles will not bring a lot of experience back, but Jackson’s experience in one of the more competitive conferences will pay dividends for the Golden Eagles in the long run.
Golden Eagles aim for improvement Joshua Campbell Sports Editor
Following a disastrous 9-20 season, it is hard to predict exactly what these Golden Eagles will do. The entire roster has turned over, but there is a lot of talent on this team. The biggest question mark is, how do all the pieces fit together? It is all going to start with Dayton transfer Khari Price. A Slidell, Louisiana native, Price was the starting point guard for a Flyer team that crashed the Big Dance, upsetting Ohio State, Syracuse and Stanford before losing to Florida in the Elite Eight. Price did not put up a ton of numbers at Dayton, but the experience he gained is invaluable. Secondyear head coach, Doc
USM may struggle is level. Even Carey has the potential redshirting spent his entire career in a of senior standout secondary role. The self-imposed Norville Carey. guarantees If Carey does indeed postseason redshirt this season, the the Golden Eagles will front court will be thin not play beyond March to say the least. The 5, but in all reality, roster already lacks size the Conference USA and players capable tournament is as far as of banging down low. this team is capable of Remove not only the best getting to. They simply do post player, but the best not have the experience player on the team, and or size to extend their the Golden Eagles will season further. However, they will play likely be beaten up by nearly every team it plays. much better than last Another big reason this season. Topping their 9-20 team will struggle is its lack record from last season of a go-to scorer. There are is well within the Golden a ton of players capable Eagles’ grasp. USM will of putting up points likely hover around .500 in bunches like Price, all season long. I see this Michael Ramey, Jackson team finishing 15-14, a and Michael O’Donnell, marked improvement, but but none of them have still well under what this been the go-to-guy at this program is used to.
Page 6 | Thursday, November 12, 2015 | Menʼs Basketball
Davis III: respected leader despite small role Julius Kizzee News Editor
With a team full of newcomers, Southern Miss will be hardpressed to find much continuity. Its leading scorer from last year, Chip Armelin, graduated and their leading assist man, Matt Bingaya, also left for greener pastures elsewhere on the collegiate level. The Golden Eagles are looking for a leader that has been in the locker room for some time. That leader does not even have to be one that
played a lot of minutes for the team last year. Enter Eddie Davis III. “(Davis III’s) a really energetic player; he gets down there and bangs a lot,” said freshman Tim Rowe. “He’s a hustle player.” After suffering an injury just four games into his freshman season, Davis III went down for the season. The injury could have set him back and prevented him from making an impact as a Golden Eagle for years to come, but he
never stopped pushing that envelope. “Not only did he not play last year in games, he didn’t get to practice,” said head coach Doc Sadler. “He didn’t even get to start playing until July.” Look at his statistical impact from those four games, and one would be surprised at anyone who thinks that Davis will have an impact this year. He averaged less than one point per game 1.3 rebounds and zero assists a game. But it is not always about the statistics on the page. His impact in the locker room and relentless attitude on the floor is what makes him special. “We feed off his
energy,” said redshirt senior Kourtlin Jackson. “He’s vocal and he’s one of the leaders on our team.” One of the only post players this year, Davis III will be relied on to give quality minutes down low. He already has a soft touch, which he showed in the early going against Millsaps. Davis III has become a leader, and he will have to lead young players like Rowe, from the early going. For Davis, he is one of only seven returning players from last year’s make-shift roster, which had only six players to dress out at times. But this year, things will be different for a Southern Miss squad as
it aims to be respectable once again in Conference USA. That begins with the mentality of doing things the right way and Davis III is the spokesperson on this team for that. “We’re not going to be good enough, big enough or any of those things to just go play somebody,” Sadler said. “We’re going to have to control the game and you do that when you have the ball in your hands.” This year, Davis may not average a doubledouble. He may not average over 20 minutes a game. What he will do is provide a constant presence and player accountability that a program with so many newcomers like Southern Miss needs.
Courtland Wells/Printz Photo Editor Eddie Davis III attempts a mid range shot on Nov. 5 against Millsaps.
Women’s Basketball | Thursday, November 12, 2015 | Page 7
Lady Eagles open season in Preseason WNIT Deantae Smith Sports Reporter
The Lady Eagles were selected to play in the Preseason WNIT to start the season, beginning their season in the same tournament that their season ended. A year ago, the Lady Eagles won 25 regular season games and made a run in the WNIT to the quarterfinals, where they lost to Michigan, 69-60. The Lady Eagles return only one starter from last season’s squad that finished as the runnerup the last two seasons in the Conference USA Championship. The 16-team field tournament guarantees three games for each team. The Southern Miss side of the bracket consists of Texas-Arlington, Baylor, Alabama State, Jacksonville, South Florida, Dartmouth and Drexel. Alabama State is returning eight players this season and are led by senior Jasmine Peeples. Peeples finished the 2014-15 as the Southwestern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. The Lady Hornets (1715, 10-8 SWAC) won their exhibition match versus Faulkner, 81-46. Against Faulkner, the Lady Hornets showed their depth as their bench outscored the opposition, 32-15. UT-Arlington finished their season (17-13, 1110 Sun Belt Conference) in the opening round of the Sun Belt Conference postseason tournament. The Lady Mavs have five veteran players returning, including leading scorer, sophomore Rebekah VanDijk. VanDijk averaged 13 points per game last season and led all Division I freshmen in
Joe Harper/Courtesy Photo
double-doubles with 15. Baylor finished 33-4 last season and made it to the Big Dance, where they fell to Notre Dame, 77-68, in the Elite Eight. The Lady Bears are the best team on paper in the bracket and face UT-Arlington in their first round game. The Lady Bears are now three seasons removed from the 2012 National Championship. Baylor returns eight letter winners and three starters off last season’s team.
Jacksonville ended their season in the semifinals of the AtlanticSun Tournament. The Lady Dolphins finished their 2014-15 campaign with an overall record of 12-17 and a conference record of 6-8. Jacksonville returns seven letter winners and three starters from a year ago, including the A-Sun Freshman of the Year and Freshman Team All-Atlantic Sun selection, sophomore Kayla Gordon. Gordon averaged just over eight
points per game. South Florida will be facing Jacksonville in the opening round of the tournament. The Lady Bulls ended their season, tying the single-season program record of 27 wins, while advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. USF returns all five starters and 12 letter winners from last season’s team that made the program’s second NCAA tournament appearance in three years. Senior Courtney
Williams returns after leading the American Athletic Conference with 20.3 points per game last season. Dartmouth ended their season at 14-14, 5-9 in the Ivy League. Dartmouth returns its two top performers from a year ago, junior Fanni Szabo and senior Lakin Roland. Szabo was named to the All-Ivy League Second Team last season and averaged just over 16 points per game and nearly five rebounds. Szabo also had 59 steals as a sophomore. Roland is set to lead the team on the glass in her final season. She grabbed eight rebounds per game and averaged 12 points last season. Drexel finished their season (20-11,144 Colonial Athletic Association) with a loss in the opening round to Hampton 49-45. Drexel returns four of its five starters from that team, including junior Sarah Curran and senior Rachel Pearson. Both players were named to Preseason All-CAA teams. The Lady Dragons will host Dartmouth in their opening round game. If the Lady Eagles can win their opening round game versus the Lady Hornets and Baylor defeats UT-Arlington, the two teams will be pitted against one another. The game will be played in Waco, Texas and in the only meeting between the two teams in 1979, the Lady Eagles defeated the Lady Bears 92-60. Southern Miss will tipoff in the opening round of the Preseason WNIT, Nov. 13 at 11 a.m. against Alabama State.
Page 12 | Thursday, November 12, 2015 |Women’s Basketball
5
things to watch this season Deantae Smith Sports Reporter
Can Jerontay Clemons Nelis’ favor. In 19 minutes lead Southern Miss to an in the exhibition game, NCAA tournament? Dinkins scored 13 points (6-9 FG, 1-1 3 PT FG) and The senior from Coldwa- dished out three assists. ter, Mississippi, enters her “I can tell you that (Clemfinal season and has yet ons) and Brittanny Dinkins to make the Big Dance. Clemons has been an important cog in the machine that has been the runnerup in Conference USA in consecutive seasons. As a sophomore, Clemons saw Lady Eagle great Jameirra Faulkner will her team to the WNIT in her final year before falling in a double overtime game to in-state rival Mississippi State. In this her final season, Clemons looks to take the Lady Eagles to similar heights and beyond. ClemFadi Shahir/Printz ons will be leaned on heavSouthern Miss Lady Golden Eagles Keri ily for scoring until the team Jewett-Giles (3) goes up to shot against West Alabama. can find its identity. Brittanny Dinkins continued progression. As a wide-eyed freshman, Dinkins was thrown into the fire, playing in 34 games and starting 28 of them. Dinkins averaged 9.2 points per game while netting 32 percent from beyond the arc and 40 percent from the field during her freshman season. As a sophomore, Dinkins played in all 36 games but only started eight games. In a reduced role, Dinkins continued to flourish last season as she improved from the the three-point line, shooting 34 percent. Dinkins played more teamoriented and increased her assist total from her freshman season. Dinkins’ ability to create her own shot as well as her ability to defend multiple positions, will keep her in head coach Joye Lee-Mc-
Florida and brings excellent ball-handling, great defense and solid scoring to the table. “She has unbelievable ability,” Lee-McNelis said. “We watched her grow up.” Jenkins will be a force to be reckoned with in the post this season. Jenkins averaged 30 points and 14 rebounds as a senior at Huntington High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. Jenkins, a 6-feet, 3-inch center, is another freshman Lee-McNelis is high on. If Jenkins was more polished in the post, McNelis has no doubt Southern Miss would have not had a chance at signing the center. “She could have played at UConn,” Lee-McNelis said. Lee-McNelis and the staff saw potential in Jewettwill be in the (starting) line- Giles and Jenkins and beup,” Lee-McNelis said. gan recruiting them young as freshmen and sophoThe Golden Girls mores in high school. “Their ceiling was Lee-McNelis is rewriting very high,” Lee-McNelis a chapter of her career that said. “The sky is the limit she wrote about two years for them.” ago. Two years ago, LeeWhile the freshmen have McNelis brought in fresh high expectations, there faces to gel with the team’s is not a ton of pressure on elder statesmen. The same them to perform well, as has been done this season. they will not be the focal Lee-McNelis welcomes point of the offense until six new players, but there’s they are ready. two new players who get coach Lee-McNelis excited, Front-court Size freshmen Keri Jewett-Giles and Caitlin Jenkins. For the first time in a long “The potential level is time, the Lady Eagles have unbelievable in those two “power conference” size in ladies,” Lee-McNelis said. the front court. “They want to be their best The Lady Eagles will have at everything.” five players standing 5-feet, Jewett-Giles is mak- 11-inches or taller. Jessica ing a run for the starting Powers, a redshirt freshman point guard position and standing at 6-feet, 6-inches, started in the exhibition is expected to add depth against West Alabama. and shot blocking to the She hails from Fort Myers, front court.
Jenkins is the most athletic of the centers on the roster. Jenkins registered a double-double in the exhibition game versus West Alabama, scoring 11 points and snagging 15 rebounds. “You have a freshman with a double-double,” Lee-McNelis said. “[It] shows she has a tremendous future.” Junior college transfer Shayla Wilson is a 6-feet, 1-inch forward that is able to score from the inside and the outside. In junior college, Wilson averaged 17 points per game and nearly seven rebounds per game. “If our perimeter players get beat, their size can alter shots,” Lee-McNelis said. Roster Versatility Juniors Jayla King and Lashyra Cotton display the versatility that will give opposing teams headaches with mismatches on both ends of the floor. “I think there’s a tremendous amount of versatility with (their) size,” LeeMcNelis said. “It gives us an opportunity to be really successful.
King, a transfer from South Florida who sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, saw action in 11 games at South Florida, and shot 50 percent from the field. King showed her versatility against West Alabama, backing down defenders in the post and scoring down low. King poses as a potential mismatch for the opposition. King can also step away from the basket and take good shots, registering a game-high 20 points in the team’s exhibition matchup in efficient fashion. Cotton, a forward from Cleveland, Mississippi, adds depth as well to a loaded frontcourt. In the exhibition game versus the Lady Tigers, she went 5-for9 from the field and 1-for-1 from behind the arc, totaling 11 points and showing her ability to stretch the defense. “(Cotton) and (King), both of those players who can play inside and they can play outside,” LeeMcNelis said. “They can play three positions on our floor.”
Fadi Shahir/Printz Southern Miss Lady Golden Eagles Caitlin Jenkins (15) goes up to shot against West Alabama.
Womenʼs Basketball | Thursday, November 12, 2015 | Page 9
Size should be focus, not pace Julius Kizzee News Editor
This team will take a while to put all the pieces together. With more than six newcomers on the roster, a bunch of new faces means an abundance of playing styles all coming together for the first time. This will only help the overall depth and raw talent of the team, but the culmination of talents will make for some growing pains in the first couple of games. “I think very early rather than having maybe starters and subs, it’s going to be combinations that mesh well together,” said head coach Joye Lee-McNelis. “We have some depth. It’s just young depth.” There are only two incoming freshmen and everyone else on the team has some sort of experience on the collegiate level. The value of experience on the roster is something that coach Lee-McNelis and her staff should hang their hat on. But it will be rough in the early going, so patience is key. “We have to be very patient, and I’m not a very patient person,” Lee-McNelis said. “There’s a lot of highs and lows, and I think that’s where patience has to come in and be a factor.” Senior Jerontay Clemons will have to set the tempo early in the season for the Lady Eagles. She is the lone senior, leaving her voice as the only one carrying much weight in the huddle. “Who knows what we’re going to do, I don’t know what we’re going to do,” Lee-McNelis said. “You’ve got to have some vocal leadership (to) help
them through that.” In the exhibition game against West Alabama on Nov. 7, the Lady Eagles came away with various positive takeaways heading into their season opener against Alabama State. Jayla King went 9-of11 from the field for 20 points in her 26 minutes of play. She even hit one field goal from threepoint range, expanding her own offensive game at 5-feet, 9-inches. Other Lady Eagles on the roster share a similar skill set as King. “They can play inside and they can play outside,” Lee-McNelis said. “They can play three positions on our floor. There is a tremendous amount of versatility with that size that gives us an opportunity to be successful.” Another highly-touted Lady Eagle coming in
Fadi Shahin/Printz Members of the Lady Eagle basketball team celebrate their victory against West Alabama on Nov. 7.
per game. The Lady Eagles held West Alabama to only 18 points in the paint, while scoring 52 of their own inside which is a
The potential level is unbelievable in both [Caitlin Jenkins and Keri Jewett-Giles] of becoming something very special here. - Joye Lee-McNelis was Lashyra Cotton, who had a kind of coming-out party after last year only averaging 3.6 points and 1.4 rebounds. She finished the exhibition with 11 points and five assists in her 21 minutes off the bench. This team will have to play with the same tenacity and physicality as it did last year when they allowed 62.6 points
good start. It helps that eight of the 13 players on the roster stand above 5-feet, 8-inches or taller. That height advantage is something that the Lady Eagles will have to exploit against smaller opponents this season. “There will definitely be some mismatches that we will have,” LeeMcNelis said. “I think
that we will definitely take advantage.” If the Lady Eagles continue their dominance in the paint, it will be because of their three-headed attack from King, freshman Caitlin Jenkins and 6-feet, 6-inch center Jessica Powers. All of those players will clog the paint and provide a resistance for opponents to come down the middle. Caitlin Jenkins stands out in the post and should have the offense move through her while she is on the floor, even though she is only a freshman. She led Louisiana in points and rebounds as a senior at Huntington High School and hopes to carry over that dominance to the Southern Miss campus. Lee-McNelis gave high praise to the freshmen duo of Jenkins and Keri Jewett-Giles and both are likely to start this season. “The potential level is unbelievable in both of those young ladies
of becoming something very special here,” she said. Overall, this team should not be similar to anything that we have seen before from a Lady Eagle squad. Lee-McNelis hopes to have this team push the tempo every time the ball comes out of the hoop, but with so many forwards and big guards, it will be hard to force this team up and down the floor on a weekly basis. In the end, this should be a team similar to the end of last year—a methodical squad that goes through the paint for most of the generation of their points. “We’re truly going to be a team,” Lee-McNelis said. “(There is a) tremendous amount of balance because of the ability of so many players can score.” It may be ugly at times, but the talent this coaching staff has accrued could make this a dynamic team.
Page 10 |Thursday, November 12, 2015 | Women’s Basketball
Jewett-Giles favorite to run the point Jacob Kemp Sports Writer
Alex Coyne may have not scored a lot of points or made a lot of game-changing plays, but she did do something the Lady Eagle basketball team needed. Coyne ran the offensive sets of coach Joye Lee-McNelis flawlessly. She also provided excellent defense and a backbone to the 201415 Lady Eagles. But now Coyne is gone— transferred to West Florida—and a gaping hole has been left. In to take her place are three viable options. The first is freshman Keri Jewett-Giles. While Jewett-Giles is a freshman and LeeMcNelis has kept her learning curve small, only allowing the basics so far, the freshman still appears primed for a large role. In the exhibition win on Nov. 7 against West Alabama, Jewett-Giles was all over the court and made her presence known. She posted a stat line of nine points, six rebounds and five steals. If the Lady Eagles can get that kind of productivity out of Jewett-Giles, then she will log a lot of minutes. Second on the list is Tajanay Veiga. Veiga was on the floor for 22 minutes in the exhibition game as opposed to Jewett-Giles, who was on the floor for 19 minutes. Veiga is older and more experienced in the collegiate game, but her effect was not as instantaneous as Jewett-Giles. In more minutes, Veiga failed to score a point,
but did nail down a pair of assists and two steals. Veiga’s style is more in line with that of Coyne, who was more of a distributor. Jewett-Giles is more like the final member of the point guard candidates, Jerontay Clemons. A pre-season Conference USA selection, Clemons was key for the Lady Eagles down the stretch in last season’s run to the WNIT quarterfinals. Clemons’ natural position is at shooting guard, but when Coyne went down to injury in the tournament, Clemons stepped in at point guard. When Clemons stepped in, she brought a different dimension to the Lady Eagle offense. Even though Clemons did not log as many assists as Coyne and may not have run the offense to a ‘T,’ she brought a scoring element that was sorely lacking. In Lee-McNelis’ offense, the point guard does not always have to be a scorer. But if the point guard is limited in driving to the basket and is not as great at creating her own shot, the offense as a whole is limited. Clemons can drive and finish at the basket and can create her own shot. Plus, if Clemons is on the floor, it also opens things up for Brittanny Dinkins, another key offensive player for the Lady Eagles. If Clemons is at shooting guard, Dinkins would have to be on the bench, which she was for most of 2014-15, but still logged minutes. If Clemons and Dinkins are on the floor at the same time, the Lady
Eagle offense could be at an entirely different level than last year. LeeMcNelis led teams are known for their defense
and a strong outing by the Lady Eagles against West Alabama proves they still are. But, with the offensive
Southern Miss Lady Golden Eagles Brittanny Dinkins (12) shots against West Alabama.
firepower Dinkins and Clemons bring to the table, Lee-McNelis would be hard pressed to not start the two.
Fadi Shahin/ Printz
Women’s Basketball | Thursday, November 12, 2015 | Page 11
Clemons ready to lead Julius Kizzee News Editor
She walks into practice, ready to take on the day and ready to give all of her best efforts, just as she did against Texas Southern, TCU and Michigan in last year’s Women’s National Invitation Tournament. Jerontay Clemons, the steady hand from years past, has had to separate her legacy from the shadow of Jamierra Faulkner. Faulkner, who left Southern Miss as maybe the most decorated athlete in Lady Eagle history, was often seen as the barom-
eter for Clemons’ success. Even though she did not start at the point guard spot because of Brooke Rhodes’ presence, Clemons dominated the ballhandling late last season. The swift-footed, 5-feet, 8-inch Coldwater, Mississippi native was the epitome of clutch in the WNIT last season. Clemons scored 12 of the final 14 Lady Eagle points to help the Lady Eagles advance to the third round against TCU. Those heroics failed to carry the Lady Eagles past Michigan in the Elite Eight of the WNIT, but
Southern Miss Lady Golden Eagles Brittanny Dinkins (12) shots against West Alabama.
it showed that Clemons has a switch that she can flip to on whenever she needs to. Her biggest task will be becoming a vocal leader. “(Clemons) is having to learn what it means to lead vocally,” said head coach Joye Lee-McNelis. “It’s just always been give me the ball, get out of my way and I’ll go score.” Clemons will be sharing backcourt responsibilities with Brittanny Dinkins, Katie Dozier, Keri JewettGiles and Tajanay Veiga this season, so she will not have to dominate the ball-
Joe Harper/Courtesy Photo
handling duties as much as she did last year. She may not even finish the season as the leading scorer. Players like Jayla King and freshman Caitlin Jenkins may hold that title instead. Clemons may not have to score the most points or dish out the ball the most every contest, but she will have to be the most calming, vocal presence on the floor. “Jerontay has really grown up a lot,” LeeMcNelis said. “We’ve all been very tough on Jerontay because she’s more of a leader by example, rather than a vocal leader.” Right now, she is the most talented Lady Eagle on paper. Her willpower and drive are what makes her unique. “Last year at the end of the year, Jerontay made plays,” Lee-McNelis said. “This year, we’re going to have multiple players that can go make plays.”
Clemon’s has attempted only 22 three-point field goal attempts—making five. It won’t be necessary for her to make shots from behind the arc, but it won’t hurt to expand her range. Also, her shooting percentage dipped to below 40 percent on the year, but she did make her shots when she needed to. Lastly, she finished with more turnovers than assists. “Me and her have talked numerous times (that) her role has to change,” LeeMcNelis said. “It’s very critical that she assumes that ownership being that lone senior and making that happen.” Clemons does not have to be perfect this upcoming season, but she will have to be the leader for the Lady Eagles to make some serious nose in Conference USA as she is surrounded by a vast amount of inexperience.
Joe Harper/Courtesy Photo Southern Miss Lady Golden Eagles Brittanny Dinkins (12) shots against West Alabama.