Ladyjack Hoops Season Preview: Sophomores
10/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
With just four weeks remaining until the SFA women’s basketball team opens the 2015-16 season against UT-Tyler on November 13th, SFAJacks.com continues its class-by-class look at the team every Friday until the opener. The sophomore unit is next up in the Ladyjack hoops preview series.
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Stephen F. Austin head women’s basketball coach Mark Kellogg knows that a player’s development between their freshman and sophomore years is one of the most important transitions during their collegiate careers. No longer freshmen in a new environment, sophomores are expected to display a heightened sense of maturity on the court as well as embrace a progressive leadership role.
So far so good for Ladyjack sophomores Charisma Alexander, Danielle Rogers and Stevi Parker.
Nearing the end of their second official week of practice, the SFA trio has already shown that positive strides were made in the offseason.
“Really we want our kids to take their biggest jump between their freshman and sophomore years,” said Kellogg. “Any kid that played a little bit as a freshman should take a big jump. Obviously I wasn’t here last year but from what I can tell and from what I’ve seen they’ve each taken a big step. If you want as a team to take those steps, you have to have kids over the summer take their game to a new level.
“I’m super excited. There are going to be a lot of minutes played between the three sophomores this season I have a feeling. We’re counting on them all to contribute quite a bit.”
Alexander, a 5-9 guard from Georgetown, Texas, is the most experienced returning sophomore after appearing in all 31 games for the Ladyjacks last season. Getting the starting nod for the first 13 contests, Alexander found her groove by moving into a reserve roll in early January. From that point on, SFA finished the regular season by winning 15 of 16 while Alexander’s numbers flourished as the first player used off the bench.
Alexander ended her freshman campaign averaging 4.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while ranking third on the team with a .492 field goal percentage and fifth in minutes played (25.4). Recruited as a dominant defender and rebounder, Alexander helped her team rank as one of the best in the Southland Conference in nearly every defensive category in 2014-15. Her role on both sides of the ball will be elevated this upcoming season.
Watching a Ladyjack practice over the last two weeks, it wouldn’t take long for a fan to notice just how much Danielle Rogers has come along from her collegiate debut last year. A 6-2 forward that can run the court like a guard, post up and power past players down low, and shoot the mid-range jumper with precision, Rogers will present matchup problems for opponents all season long.
Though she played just 5.8 minutes per game in 20 outings a year ago, Rogers should see a significant boost in playing time with the departure of 2015 SLC Player of the Year Porsha Roberts.
“I feel like Porsha is not a player that you can replace,” said Rogers. “I just want to start my own legacy, play my game and do whatever I can to help the team win. I feel like it’s just a matter of believing in our coaching staff and believing in ourselves. If we work hard every day and don’t take even a second off, I think that we can win conference again this year.”
Rounding out SFA’s second-year player core is 6-0 forward Stevi Parker. The Bixby, Oklahoma native, who began her collegiate career at the University of Tulsa, had to sit out the entire 2014-15 season due to NCAA transfer rules. She played in 27 games and started 13 times during her freshman year while averaging 5.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for the Golden Hurricane. Parker led her team in blocks and charges on the year.
Itching to get back into game action, Parker will certainly boost the SFA squad this year with her defensive tenacity and unique make-up as a player.
“I’m really just ready to play and help the team,” Parker said. “Sitting a whole year was awful. I don’t like sitting and watching knowing that I can’t do anything on the sideline. Knowing that I can help and actually play this year makes me really excited.”
Alexander, Rogers, Parker and the rest of the Ladyjacks will be showcasing their new team on Friday night during ESPN’s Midnight Madness presented by Citizens 1st Bank at William R. Johnson Coliseum. The event is set to start at 8:00 p.m. and will be aired live on ESPN3 here.
To purchase season tickets for the 2015-16 women’s basketball season, fans can contact the SFA ticket office at (936) 468-JACK (5225).
Ladyjack Basketball Preview Series
October 9 – Freshmen
October 16 – Sophomores
October 23 – Juniors
October 30 – Seniors
November 6 – Season Outlook
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