2014-15 Record and Finish: 19-11 (16-2 in SWAC), 2nd in conference
Key Returners: Brianna Sidney, Jazzmin Parker, Diamonisha Sophus, Toni Cheadle, Sarah Williams
Key Losses: Alexus Johnson, Morgan Simmons, Miracle Davis
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Texas Southern Lady Tigers are set to enter the 2015-2016 season with high expectations and motivations.
After putting up a 19-11 (16-2 in SWAC) season that ended without a SWAC tournament run, reigning SWAC Coach of the Year Johnetta Hayes-Perry is expected to field a team that ought to challenge for it all, as evidenced by Texas Southern being the preseason pick to win the SWAC Championship this season.
The Lady Tigers are talented and deep on the perimeter, with preseason first-team All-SWAC selection Brianna Sidney and Diamonisha Sophus returning. Sophus ranked as the top assist-woman last season with 3.5 helpers per game and is one of the premier sharpshooters in the league, as she shot 38 percent from long range last season. Sidney was 11th in the SWAC in scoring and a terror defensively, ranking fifth in steals (2.2 per game).
A huge boost to Texas Southern’s title hopes will be the return of preseason first-team All-SWAC pick Jazzmin Parker. Parker, who missed all of last season due to a torn ACL, was the SWAC Player of the Year in the season prior and should bring more firepower to a team that was the top scoring offense in the conference. With the departure of last year’s leading scorer in Alexus Johnson, Parker is likely to serve as the primary scoring option on a team stocked with several impact players.
Also returning to campus is Sarah Williams, a former SWAC Newcomer of the Year honoree who brings experience to an already formidable backcourt rotation.
The most glaring question for Texas Southern – besides any potential rust that Parker may have in her return from injury – reside on the front line. In addition to replacing Johnson, TSU must replace fellow forward Morgan Simmons as well.
Toni Cheadle is back in the fold to provide some interior punch for the Lady Tigers, but the emergence of other options on the inside along with Cheadle could be a determining factor for the team. Names like Kiana Vines and Ashley Ferguson bring more depth and size to the table, and their improvement may go a long way in balancing out the Lady Tigers as they gear up for the upcoming campaign.
With six seniors and three juniors, Texas Southern stands to be one of the more veteran squads in the field in 2015-2016. The out of conference schedule won’t be a cakewalk by any means, with teams from the Big 12 and SEC ready to offer early stiff tests for the Lady Tigers.
Texas Southern opens things up on Nov. 15, when the Tigers tip-off their season at Kansas.
Courtesy: SWAC.org
Key Returners: Brianna Sidney, Jazzmin Parker, Diamonisha Sophus, Toni Cheadle, Sarah Williams
Key Losses: Alexus Johnson, Morgan Simmons, Miracle Davis
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Texas Southern Lady Tigers are set to enter the 2015-2016 season with high expectations and motivations.
After putting up a 19-11 (16-2 in SWAC) season that ended without a SWAC tournament run, reigning SWAC Coach of the Year Johnetta Hayes-Perry is expected to field a team that ought to challenge for it all, as evidenced by Texas Southern being the preseason pick to win the SWAC Championship this season.
The Lady Tigers are talented and deep on the perimeter, with preseason first-team All-SWAC selection Brianna Sidney and Diamonisha Sophus returning. Sophus ranked as the top assist-woman last season with 3.5 helpers per game and is one of the premier sharpshooters in the league, as she shot 38 percent from long range last season. Sidney was 11th in the SWAC in scoring and a terror defensively, ranking fifth in steals (2.2 per game).
A huge boost to Texas Southern’s title hopes will be the return of preseason first-team All-SWAC pick Jazzmin Parker. Parker, who missed all of last season due to a torn ACL, was the SWAC Player of the Year in the season prior and should bring more firepower to a team that was the top scoring offense in the conference. With the departure of last year’s leading scorer in Alexus Johnson, Parker is likely to serve as the primary scoring option on a team stocked with several impact players.
Also returning to campus is Sarah Williams, a former SWAC Newcomer of the Year honoree who brings experience to an already formidable backcourt rotation.
The most glaring question for Texas Southern – besides any potential rust that Parker may have in her return from injury – reside on the front line. In addition to replacing Johnson, TSU must replace fellow forward Morgan Simmons as well.
Toni Cheadle is back in the fold to provide some interior punch for the Lady Tigers, but the emergence of other options on the inside along with Cheadle could be a determining factor for the team. Names like Kiana Vines and Ashley Ferguson bring more depth and size to the table, and their improvement may go a long way in balancing out the Lady Tigers as they gear up for the upcoming campaign.
With six seniors and three juniors, Texas Southern stands to be one of the more veteran squads in the field in 2015-2016. The out of conference schedule won’t be a cakewalk by any means, with teams from the Big 12 and SEC ready to offer early stiff tests for the Lady Tigers.
Texas Southern opens things up on Nov. 15, when the Tigers tip-off their season at Kansas.
Courtesy: SWAC.org