2016-17
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2016-17
S
pring Hill College women’s basketball head coach Karen McConico welcomes back her most experienced team of her six-year career with the Badgers for the 2016-17 season. “Our four seniors have a new mindset and they have a mature attitude about the upcoming season,” she says. “They really want to go out with a bang and they see that the talent of our newcomers can help them do it. ”McConico brought in eight new faces during the offseason and she is confident that at least five of them can make an immediate impact on the program. “They all have the right attitude,’ she says. “They work really hard and have raised us to a new level of competitiveness. Coming from winning teams and bringing winning attitude, they all know what winning is and what it means. That attitude is contagious.” The Badgers will have five starters back for the new season, but McConico warns them all that nobody is assured a starting spot this year. “No job is safe this year,” she says. “That’s great as a coach because it promotes competitiveness as well as team comradery. Our new faces will push the returners and that’s the way it’s supposed to be.” Spring Hill’s strength this year lies in the post and under the basket where senior center and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Pre-Season All-Conference selection Leah Washington of Houma, La., teams with fellow senior forwards Camry Johnson from Mobile’s Faith Academy and Alishia Drayton-Lewis of Jacksonville, Fla., to put a combined nine years of experience on the floor. “Our interior could be excellent this year,” says McConico. “We have three tough seniors leading the charge followed by some very talented younger players who have the size to control the inside in a physical conference.” Sophomore 6-foot, 1-inch forward Tiffany Valentine from Houston, Texas, has gotten stronger over the summer while junior college transfer forward Angel Carthen of Wilmer, Ala., brings starting experience and success. “Frankly, Tiffany was disappointed in her freshman year,” McConico admits. “But she has realized she needs to focus more and what it takes to be successful at this level.” McConico also likes what she has seen from Carthen. “Angel is a workhorse on the
inside,” she says. “She goes after every rebound and fights for the ball.” Freshmen forwards Windee Johnson from Greenbriar, Tenn., and Katie Krout of Tuscaloosa, Ala., have impressed the Badger coaches with their commitment and abilities during early workouts and will make their presence felt early. As for the outside, McConico brought in junior point guard Johnta Hughes from Hattiesburg, Miss., after a successful junior college career. “Hughes is a natural point guard,” McConico says. “She comes from a winning tradition and is a true floor general who controls the action while looking to get the ball where it needs to be.” With Hughes taking over at point guard, McConico will shift junior Jennifer Clark of Kenner, La., to a guard position along with freshman Elise Reilly from Covington, La. “Having Hughes frees us to put Jen where she feels comfortable and Reilly was the Number 1 scorer in Louisiana last year, so not only will we cut down on turnovers, but we put scorers in position to either score or force defenses to free up the inside for Leah. We can also let Leah get down the floor on offense sooner and not worry about her bringing up the ball like she had to do last year.” With the pieces falling into place, McConico begins sizing up her options. “Alishia has been working on finishing on the inside and begun to find the square for easy buckets while (senior guard) Brittney Davis (Foley, Ala.) has three years of experience and that’s invaluable,” she says. “We also have (junior guard) Jewel Hill who started 21 games last year, so we are deep in experience this year.” Freshmen guards Nora Brooks of St. Louis, Mo., Daja Walker of Tuskegee, Ala., and Hannah Fillmore of Brewton, Ala., are more weapons that McConico has at her disposal who will see action throughout the year. McConico is always excited to get the new season started, but it is obvious that this season has her especially ready to roll the ball out on the court. “We really have shifted our entire culture,” she says. “We have the pieces in place and the younger players have not only gained the respect of the veterans, but they are pushing and inspiring them. Our belief in each other is better than ever and we really are focused on team and not self. These ladies want SHC to be a top team.”
GENERAL FACTS
COACHING STAFF
Karen McConico – Head Coach, 6th Season Karen McConico begins her fifth season as the head coach of Spring Hill College women’s basketball program. During McConico’s seven-year tenure as Assistant Coach at High Point University, the Panthers built an overall record of 118-94 including a 65-37 record in the Big South Conference as the program completed the transitioned from NCAA Division II to Division I status. McConico was a major factor in the Panthers’ regular reason Big South Championship in 2006-07 and their trip to the National Women’s Invitation Tournament (NWIT) that same season. On the court, McConico still ranks as the all-time leading scorer in High Point men’s and women’s basketball history with 2,616 points scored from 1994-98 when the Panthers played among the NCAA Division II ranks. She is also the all-time assists leader at HPU with 645 handouts and ranks fourth in career rebounding with 904 boards. McConico, a native of Apex, N.C., graduated from HPU with a bachelor’s degree in Human Relations in 1998. She played professionally in Switzerland from 1998 to 2000 where she averaged 25 points per game as a point guard. She began her coaching career in 2000 at Cary (N.C.) High School where she was head coach until 2002. She is married to Calvin McConico, Jr., she has one son, Karvin.
Amy Calhoun – Assistant Coach, 6th season A native of Apex, N.C., Calhoun is in her fourth season at SHC following a four-year playing career at High Point University where she played in 121 games with 61 starts. The former forward finished her career as the 10th leading scorer in High Point’s NCAA Division 1 history by scoring 813 points and fourth in assists with 248 handouts.
Urysla Cotton – Graduate Assistant Coach Urysla Kerenza Cotton, a native of Apex, N.C., joined the Badger staff in October 2015. She graduated from Elon University with a B.A. in Communications where she was a two- sport athlete as a 4-year scholarship athlete in basketball averaging nine points, eight rebounds, and two blocks during the 2009-2010 season. After completing the undergraduate program at Elon, Cotton played a year of professional basketball in Montijo, Portugal, for Montijo Banda Basket where she was the club and the league’s first American player. In 2014-2015, Cotton served as a Volunteer Assistant Coach with the Garner High School Girl’s JV team.
Institution: Spring Hill College City/State/Zip: Mobile, AL 36608 President: Christopher Puto, Ph.D. Founded: 1830 Enrollment: 1,496 Nickname: Badgers School Colors: Purple, white School website: shc.edu/about Home Facility: Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center Capacity: 1,500 Affiliation: NCAA Division II Conference: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Division: West Athletic Director: Jim Hall Alma Mater: Grinnell College, 1995 Compliance: Chad LeBlanc Senior Woman Administrator: Alison Sellers-Cook Faculty Athletic Representative: Steve Almquist, Ph.D. Athletic Department Phone: 251-380-3485 Athletic Department Fax: 251-460-2196 Sports Information Director: Jim Stennett Alma Mater: Mississippi State, 1990 SID Phone: (251) 380-4468 SID Email: jstennett@shc.edu Athletic Web Site: www.shcbadgers.com Facebook: SHCBADGERS Twitter: SHCBADGERS Instagram: SHCBADGERS COACHING STAFF Head Coach: Karen McConico Alma Mater: High Point, 1998 Record at school/years: 50-87/5 years Career record/years: 50-87/5 years Office Phone: (251) 380-3488 Assistant Coach: Amy Calhoun (5 years) Graduate Assistant: Urysla Cotton (1 year) Head Athletic Trainer: Brian Gronewold, ATC Office Phone: 251-380-3493 TEAM INFORMATION Overall Record Last Year: 10-16 Conference/Finish: 8-9 (3rd of 8 SSAC West) Starters returning/lost: 4/1 First Year: 1973 Overall Record: 446-618 (since 1977)
www.shcbadgers.com
2016-17 ROSTER No. Player
Pos.
Class Ht.
Exp. Hometown/Previous School(s)
3 10 11 13 15 22 23 25 30 32 33 34 35 44 50
G PG G G G FWD FWD G G FWD FWD FWD FWD G C/F
Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Sr. R-Sr. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. R-Sr.
1L JC 1L HS HS HS JC HS 1L 1L HS 1L 1L HS 1L
Jennifer Clark Johnta Hughes Jewel Hill Nora Brooks Daja Walker Windee Johnson Angel Carthen Hannah Fillmore Brittney Davis Alishia Drayton-Lewis Katie Krout Tiffany Valentine Camry Johnson Elise Reilly Leah Washington
2015-16 RESULTS
5-6 5-2 5-9 5-9 5-7 5-10 5-9 5-7 5-7 5-8 5-11 6-1 5-9 5-7 5-11
Date
Opponent
Site
Nov. 13 Nov. 15 Nov. 17 Nov. 20 Nov. 21 Nov. 24 Dec. 3 Dec. 5 Dec. 12 Dec. 14 Dec. 16 Dec. 18 Dec. 31 Jan. 4 Jan. 7 Jan. 9 Jan. 14 Jan. 16 Jan. 18 Jan. 23 Jan. 28 Feb. 1 Feb. 4 Feb. 6 Feb. 8 Feb. 15 Feb. 18 Feb. 20
at Southern University (Exhibition) at University of West Alabama at University of South Alabama (Exhibition) University of West Alabama at Mississippi College University of West Florida *Tuskegee University at William Carey University University of Montevallo *Miles College Southern University at New Orleans at Loyola University (La.) at Southern University at New Orleans *at Paine College *Fort Valley State University *Albany State University *at Benedict College *at Claflin University *at Clark Atlanta University *Stillman College *Lane College *at Lemoyne-Owen College *at Central State University *at Kentucky State University *at Lane College *Lemoyne-Owen College *Central State University *Kentucky State University
Baton Rouge, La. Livingston, Ala. Mitchell Center Home Clinton, Miss. Home Home Hattiesburg, Miss. Home Home Home New Orleans, La. New Orleans, La. Augusta, Ga. Home Home Columbia, S.C. Orangeburg, S.C. Atlanta, Ga. Home Home Memphis, Tenn. Wilberforce, Ohio Frankfort, Ky. Jackson, Tenn. Home Home Home
*SIAC game
Kenner, La./Mount Carmel Academy Hattiesburg, Miss./Hattiesburg HS/East Central CC Mobile, Ala./St. Luke’s Episcopal HS St. Louis, Mo./Ursuline Academy Tuskegee, Ala./Booker T. Washington HS Greenbriar, Tenn./Pope John Paul II HS Wilmer, Ala./Faith Academy/Faulkner St. CC Brewton, Ala./Flomaton HS Foley, Ala./Foley HS Jacksonville, Fla./Andrew Jackson HS/SUNO Tuscaloosa, Ala./Tuscaloosa Co. HS Houston, Texas/Lutheran High North Mobile, Ala./Faith Academy Covington, La./Mandeville HS Houma, La./Vandebilt Catholic HS
Result L; 46-65 L; 64-66 L; 49-64 L; 67-68 (ot) W; 83-76 L; 44-57 W; 65-38 L; 52-61 L; 51-65 L; 60-64 W; 75-61 L; 53-71 L; 45-65 W; 70-62 W; 90-67 L; 48-56 L; 64-72 L; 42-58 W; 56-53 L; 51-55 W; 62-54 L; 70-85 W; 62-60 L; 72-78 (ot) W; 57-51 W; 69-52 L; 64-66 L; 52-66
2015-16 SIAC FINAL STANDINGS Team
SIAC
Overall
Benedict
14-2
29-2
Claflin
11-5
East Division Albany State
12-4
14-13
Fort Valley State 9-8
10-18
Paine
Clark Atlanta West Division
6-10 4-12
17-11 11-19 6-21
Kentucky State
14-2
Spring Hill*
8-9
10-16
5-11
11-16
Miles
9-7
Central State
6-10
Lane
5-11
Stillman
LeMoyne-Owen 5-11 Tuskegee
4-12
23-4
17-12 14-14 5-22 7-19 5-21
*Ineligible for SIAC Tournament during NCAA transition process
2016-17 ROSTER
3
10
11
13
15
22
23
25
30
32
33
34
35
44
Jennifer Clark Junior
Hannah Fillmore Freshman
Johnta Hughes Junior
Brittney Davis Senior
Jewel Hill Junior
Alishia DraytonLewis - R Senior
Nora Brooks Freshman
Katie Krout Freshman
Daja Walker Freshman
Tiffany Valentine Sophomore
50
Leah Washington R Senior
www.shcbadgers.com
Windee Johnson Freshman
Camry Johnson Senior
Angel Carthen Junior
Elise Reilly Freshman
2016-17 SCHEDULE Date
Opponent
Nov. 11 Nov. 12 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 19 Nov. 22 Dec. 9 Dec. 10 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 17 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 7 Jan. 12 Jan. 14 Jan. 16 Jan. 19 Jan. 23 Jan. 26 Jan. 28 Jan. 30 Feb. 4 Feb. 6 Feb. 10 Feb. 16 Feb. 18 Feb. 20 Feb. 23
University of West Alabama at Southern University (Exhibition) University of Mobile at University of South Alabama (Exhibition) at University of West Alabama at University of West Florida Loyola University (La.) at University of Mobile William Carey University at Shaw University at High Point University (Exhibition) *Paine College *at Fort Valley State University *at Albany State University *at Tuskegee University *Benedict College *Claflin University *Clark Atlanta University at Auburn University Montgomery *at Miles College *at Lane College *LeMoyne-Owen College *Central State University *Kentucky State University Auburn University Montgomery *at LeMoyne-Owen College *at Central State University *at Kentucky State University *Lane College
*SIAC game
www.shcbadgers.com
Site Home Baton Rouge, La. Home USA Mitchell Center Livingston, Ala. Pensacola, Fla. Home Univ. of Mobile Home Raleigh, N.C. High Point, N.C. Home Fort Valley, Ga. Albany, Ga. Tuskegee, Ala. Home Home Home Montgomery, Ala. Fairfield, Ala. Jackson, Tenn. Home Home Home Home Memphis, Tenn. Wilberforce, Ohio Frankfort, Ky. Home
Time 6 p.m. 3 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 2 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. (EST) 2 p.m. (EST) 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. (EST) 2 p.m. (EST) 5:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 2 p.m. (EST) 5:30 p.m. (EST) 5:30 p.m.