ANDERSON, S.C. – Anderson University women's basketball enters the 2016-17 as defending South Atlantic Conference regular-season champions, a feat it has accomplished three of the past four seasons while also participating in its 10th NCAA Tournament.
Over the offseason, Anderson has gone through changes as 2014's SAC Coach of the Year Jimmy Garrity was hired as the new head coach at Wofford University. Anderson filled its vacancy with third-year head coach Jonathon Barbaree on May 23rd, who coached the previous two seasons at Coastal Georgia. Barbaree brings over 20 years of coaching experience with him to Anderson as he looks to continue the long standing success of the AU women's basketball program.
"I'm very fortunate to have a base like I do, not just in the culture of winning but in the fact that the kids know how to do it the right way, from going to class, from doing everything they can on campus and in the community," said Barbaree. "I've talked to the team about it, I'm not here to shake up what Coach Garrity had put together, rather add in my own niche to it to continue the success."
Despite losing two starters due to graduation with one being the SAC Player of the Year, the Trojans return a main core that has experienced SAC championships, NCAA Tournament runs and are coming off of a 23-5 overall and 18-4 conference record. Among the returners is Jasmine Franklin who missed the entire 2015-16 season due to a knee injury. Prior to the 2015-16 season, Franklin was selected as a Preseason All-SAC First Team selection.
Following an impressive 80-56 triumph over No. 4 Clayton State in the NCAA Tournament opening round to advance to the Round-of-32, Anderson saw its season cut down by No. 8 Augusta. A major part of the Trojans' run in conference action and post-season was the play of Alexis Dillard, who returns to the team for her senior season. During the NCAA Tournament, Dillard averaged 17 points, 11.5 rebounds and two blocks per outing. On March 2, Dillard became Anderson's all-time career blocks leader with 124, ending the season with 134 total career blocks.
The forward tandem of Franklin and Dillard will look to help replace the solid play from SAC Player of the Year, Jennifer Monroe who graduated in May. Senior Bailey Sims who played significant time last season will be vying for a starting role for the Black and Gold while junior Kaylee Koerperich and sophomores Sara Goble and Erika Martin add depth to the forward position.
Despite losing shooting guard Madison Floyd to graduation and sophomore Cassie Ketchum to a knee injury, the Trojans return a slew of guards, including All-SAC First Team point guard Heather Jankowy. Jankowy started all 30 contests while averaging 36 minutes. Senior guard Nakia Young started the majority of the games last season despite being hampered by a hamstring injury while sophomore Tamia Eatmon put in significant minutes, especially down the stretch. Junior reserve Jasmine Raynor will be poised to play valuable minutes for the Black and Gold as she brings athleticism to floor.
Newcomers Alexy Mollenhauer, Maddison Baggett, Makayla Green and Hannah Hodges are expected to play important roles in the upcoming 2016-17 season.
"I've been really impressed with the freshmen, guard wise Maddison and Alexy have really shown they are going to get right in the mix," said Barbaree. "Makayla is versatile, she is so strong and can go inside and out which is really good for us. Hannah has played the least amount of basketball of probably anybody I know that has a scholarship, she is so athletic and so strong and doesn't even know her full potential. She is picking it up at a steady pace and she has big potential to do some really great things."
This year's team is determined to go out and take care of its unfinished business. Despite winning the last two regular season SAC titles, the Black and Gold could not finish the deal and win the SAC Tournament. While the NCAA Tournament is still an honor to reach, the Trojans want more after coming so close to making the Elite Eight two seasons ago while falling in the Round-of-32 last season.
"There is some unfinished business out there and we have got to get over that notch and I think with the core coming back and the solid chemistry they had built under coach Garrity, with maybe a little different approach from me might give them the nudge, but they are capable," noted Barbaree. "A lot of times a coach can sit over there and smile and point in the right direction, but these young ladies are capable of doing it."
Anderson begins its regular season play on the road when it faces off with Peach Belt opponent Clayton State on November 11th, then the Black and Gold turn right around on the 12th to face off with another Peach Belt opponent Armstrong State. The Trojans open their home schedule on November 16th when they host rival Erskine at the Abney Center.
