Head Coach Joye Lee-McNelis is entering the 2007-08 season with a great sense of familiarity. For the second-consecutive year, she possesses only one senior on her basketball squad, in the form of center Liz Biland. While most coaches would feel inadequate in such a position, McNelis can't help but look back to her 15-15 overall record from 2006-07, which marked the most wins in seven seasons, and predict a winning season in her future.
Before now graduated guard Kristin Chaney and Biland took their places at the head of the team, McNelis dealt with a complete absence of senior leadership during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons; therefore, it's safe to say that the fourth-year head coach has a way of molding young squads into what can't be mistaken for true Southern Miss Lady Eagle Basketball.
McNelis and her staff return four starters from last season, including Biland (6-2, Racine, Wis.), junior guard/forward Kendra Reed (5-10, Bay St. Louis, Miss.), junior guard Amber Eugene (5-7, St. Rose, La.) and sophomore forward Lauren Pittman (5-10, Waynesboro, Miss.).
"I am excited about our returning group of players," McNelis said. "The great thing about this group is that they got some very valuable playing experience in a lot of close games last year. Sitting back and watching how they matured on the floor and how they've matured as young ladies off the floor, we expect them to carry all of the newcomers on their backs."
Biland returns for her final season as the starting center for Southern Miss, where she averaged 7.3 points and was second on the team in rebounding (6.6).
"Liz has had a great career through her first three seasons," McNelis said. "I'm very excited about her being our only senior, and I truly believe she will have a breakout year. The last two years she has caught fire in the second half of the season, but we're looking forward to her picking up where she left off last year."
One of the most highlighted of the returning starters is Reed, who led the team in free throw percentage (.865) and three-point field goals made (70), while ranking second in scoring (15.3). She was named third team all-conference and is only 92 points shy of becoming the 19th Lady Eagle to score 1,000 points in a career.
"I can't say enough about Kendra," McNelis noted. "She is the total package both on and off the floor. She possesses solid leadership. When she came to Southern Miss, one of her goals was to be a difference-maker and help rebuild this program. She has been one of the cornerstones in rebuilding Lady Eagle basketball. Her No. 1 trait is the fight she has inside and the competitive spirit she has to succeed."
Eugene is another standout player to return for the 2007-08 season. She led the team in scoring (16.1) and rebounding (6.7) and was named third team all-conference, along with Reed. She needs 251 points to reach the 1,000 career points mark.
"Amber had a breakout year last season," McNelis added of Eugene's accomplishments. "Her first two seasons, she had to play out of position. To be able to step in and compete the way she did against the bigger post players was one of our biggest attributes. She has made a lot of strides in her game and she has made a lot of strides off the floor. We're very proud of that and are looking forward to this year being another great year for her."
Pittman rounds out the list of returning starters, following a standout freshman campaign which garnered her all-freshman conference honors.
"Lauren had a great freshman year," McNelis said. "The aspect that our coaching staff loves is the fight she has in her and the fact that she never takes off plays. She is kind of like the Energizer Bunny. When she's in the game, everything is at a different pace. She gives the jolt that the team needs because of the energy that she gives to her teammates." McNelis will see Nora Brooks returning to action this season after sitting out the last season with an injury.
"I believe it benefited Nora in the fact that she now understands and knows what is expected of her," McNelis explained. "She should be able to step in and compete from the outset. She battled all year with that hand injury, but I think the persistence and willingness to get back on the floor has been evident."
The Lady Eagles welcome eight newcomers to the team, including guard Andrea Barber (5-6, Topeka, Kan./Barton County CC), center Stephanie Helgeson (6-4, River Ridge, La./Purdue), guard Brittany Johnson (5-8, Jackson, Miss./Provine HS), forward Pauline Love (6-0, Luxora, Ark./Jones Co. JC), guard Shanice Mays (5-6, Mendenhall, Miss./Puckett HS), center Jasmine Sanders (6-2, Atmore, Ala./Escambia Co. HS), guard/forward Tanesha Washington (6-1, Clarksdale, Miss./Coahoma Co. HS) and guard Erica Williams (5-8, Gonzales, La./Dutchtown HS).
Even though Helgeson was on the squad last season, she sat out to satisfy NCAA transfer rules. She was, though, able to practice with the team.
"Stephanie is one of the most skilled players I've ever had the opportunity to coach," McNelis said. "She has great footwork and good offensive moves with her back to the basket with the ability to score facing the basket. She is a very skilled post player in which she can do a lot of things."
The newcomers include two junior college transfers and five freshmen.
"The incoming class, as a whole, is a great recruiting class," McNelis noted of the newcomers. "My staff did an excellent job of putting together a fine group of young ladies that are solid individuals on and off the floor. I believe in this group. When you look at what they have accomplished on paper, the future looks good, and I'm very impressed with their accolades. What is yet to be known is what they will be able to do when they get on the floor. The staff has high expectations, and we believe that they will come in and be difference-makers for us."
BACKCOURT
McNelis will have a stable of guards to choose from in the 2007-08 campaign. The Lady Eagles will have a mixture of experience and youth. The experience comes in the form of Eugene, Reed and Pittman.
However, the main cog of the backcourt, the point guard position, will fall in the hands of newcomers. Barber is the leading candidate to replace graduated guard Kristin Chaney, but Barber will get plenty of help from freshmen Mays and Williams.
Barber, an honorable mention Junior College All-American, averaged 14.0 points, 5.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore at Barton County Community College.
"We are excited about having the opportunity to have someone of Andrea's caliber to run the point guard position," McNelis said. "Kristin left some big shoes to fill and we believe Andrea has the capabilities to fill those shoes. The two players are similar, but at the same time they are different. I believe Andrea can step in and give us another added dimension.
"Andrea has the ability to score off the dribble as well as create opportunities for her teammates, defend and rebound."
Mays and Williams are true freshmen with loads of talent. The way the two adapt to the college life and game could determine how much playing time they will get.
"Shanice brings a different style to the point guard position than Andrea," McNelis said. "She is a more slashing-type player who is very good in the transition game."
Williams also has potential and will push for playing time in either the point guard or shooting guard positions.
"Erica brings the ability to score to our program," said McNelis. "She can shoot the three as well as score off the dribble or penetration. She is very similar to Kendra Reed. "Erica is a versatile player, who can play either the point or two-guard position. She is considered a combo-guard and that gives us an added dimension."
Reed, a two-time all-conference selection, returns to anchor the two-guard position. Reed gained valuable experience this past summer competing with the Athletes In Action team that represented the U.S. in the William R. Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan, winning the bronze medal.
"Kendra has been a difference maker in helping us rebuild this program," McNelis said. "She has been a cornerstone for us.
Kendra shoots the three very well. She has added another dimension to her game as well. She is our best defender."
Pittman, an all-freshman honoree, will give the Lady Eagles depth at the two-guard. In addition to Pittman, the Lady Eagles will get help from Brittany Johnson.
Pittman played in all 30 games last season and started 22 contests.
Johnson comes to Southern Miss with solid credentials. She was a two-year letterwinner at Provine High School, where she scored over 1,100 points in her career.
"Brittany is a scorer," said McNelis. "She is capable of scoring in several different ways. She can score off the dribble, off penetration and off the rebound."
Eugene returns after a breakout season last year, leading the team in scoring and rebounding. Eugene has had to play out of her natural position for the past two seasons, and now, she will concentrate on the backcourt in the small forward position.
"Amber did a phenomenal job for us at the power forward position for her size," McNelis said. "She had a breakout season last year. She led the team in scoring and rebounding.
"We are expecting another great year from Amber in every aspect of her game, not just scoring but also rebounding and defense."
Eugene is the leading candidate to start at the small forward position. Her backup includes Pittman as well as Johnson and Reed.
FRONTCOURT
Depth will not be a problem for McNelis in the 2007-08 season. There will be six players vying for playing time at the forward and post positions.
Heading the list at the forward position is newcomer Pauline Love, who was a Junior College All-American. Love averaged a double-double while playing at Jones County Junior College last season.
"Pauline is a special player," McNelis said. "She averaged a double-double at Jones and we expect nothing less of her. She is a rebounding machine and that is something we lacked last season which was the ability to rebound the ball."
Love could also see playing time at the small forward as well.
"Pauline is considered a utility player," said McNelis. "She can play several different positions and can do a lot of things on the floor."
Another newcomer expected to challenge Love is freshman Tanesha Washington. The all-state performer helped lead her team to a state title in 2006 and the runner-up in 2007.
"Tanesha is a clone of Pauline with the same type of abilities," McNelis said. "She has the ability to rebound the ball and score. She also will be able to play more than one position."
Biland returns for her senior campaign. She has been a mainstay in the post for the past three seasons. The frontcourt could be one of the more competitive positions heading into the season.
Even though Biland is the leading candidate at the post and has more playing experience than her counterparts, she will get a push from Helgeson, Brooks and Sanders.
"Liz played with a tremendous amount of confidence down the stretch," McNelis said. "We will need that from her from the get-go. Her ability to shoot facing the basket has improved each year, and I believe that attributed to her confidence."
Both Helgeson and Brooks were part of the team last season. Helgeson sat out to satisfy NCAA transfer rules, but she was able to practice, while Brooks played in the first five games before sustaining a season-ending injury to her hand.
Helgeson played in 11 games while at Purdue, scoring eight points and grabbing 11 rebounds. "Stephanie is one of the most skilled players I have ever had an opportunity to coach," said McNelis. "She can do a lot of different things, including shooting, defending and passing."
McNelis believes Helgeson benefited greatly last season because she was able to practice everyday. "Stephanie definitely will have the advantage over the other newcomers, because she knows exactly what is expected of her."
Sanders, who had a solid high school career, is described as "having a lot of raw talent."
"Her strength is the ability to rebound and to be able get some stick backs. She has the ability to run the floor and defend."
The makeup of the 2007-08 team is somewhat different than the past two seasons. Taking a glance at the roster, the first noticeable difference is the number of names listed. For the past two seasons, the Lady Eagles have started with 10 or more players, but have ended the season with only eight bodies. "The great thing is that you look at our roster and you see a bunch of names," McNelis said. "Obviously, that is exciting in itself."
With the increased numbers, McNelis will not have to worry about a few players playing a lot of minutes.
"What we were able to accomplish the last two years was phenomenal with the lack of depth we had," McNelis said. "You have to applaud those players who poured their heart and soul out every day in practice and in the games."
Last season, six players averaged 24 minutes or better, including three players with over 30 minutes per game.
"Another exciting thing about having more numbers is, we don't have to rely on three or four players playing so many minutes," she said. "The season gets to be long and the wear and tear takes a toll on the body. Now we can cut the minutes down and I believe we will get a better result because the players will be more rested as the season progresses."
SCHEDULE
The schedule includes 16 Conference USA games as well as non-conference tilts against Sam Houston State, McNeese State, Mercer, Louisiana-Monroe, Mississippi State, Jacksonville State, South Alabama, Louisiana Tech, Birmingham Southern, Illinois-Chicago and Miami (Fla.). Southern Miss plays host to its own Lady Eagle Classic and will participate in one other tournament in Cancun, Mexico.
"I believe coach Kirk Crawford did a phenomenal job of setting up our schedule," McNelis said. "He and I discussed what we left like we needed to do, to be able to build some confidence early with as many young players as we have.
"Starting out with our first six games at home will build a lot of confidence and it gives our fans a chance to see and enjoy watching this young team."
The Lady Eagles open the regular season Nov. 9 at home against Sam Houston State, and remain at home for the next five games, hosting McNeese State, Mercer and Louisiana-Monroe. Southern Miss hosts its own Lady Eagle Classic, Nov. 23-24, and will travel Mississippi State. They then open the month of December with a trip to Jacksonville State, before returning home to host South Alabama, traveling to Louisiana Tech and hosting Birmingham Southern. Southern Miss also plays in its second tournament of the season in Cancun, Mexico for the Caribbean Classic, Dec. 18-19, closing out the month of December.
Conference USA again plays in two divisions, East and West. The East teams consist of Southern Miss, East Carolina, UAB, Memphis, UCF and Marshall, while the West has Tulane, Houston, Rice, Tulsa, UTEP and SMU. The Lady Eagles open the C-USA schedule on the road at UCF, followed by games at Tulsa and SMU. Southern Miss returns home to host Rice, before heading to Houston.
Southern Miss will play consecutive home games, beginning with UCF, East Carolina, Marshall, Memphis and UAB. The Lady Eagles play at East Carolina and Marshall, before closing out their home portion of the schedule with UTEP and Tulane. Southern Miss concludes its regular season at Memphis and UAB. "Our conference schedule will be a challenge for us, because we open up on the road to start," McNelis said. "The league has a lot of returning players from last year. Conference USA is right on the verge of breaking on the national scene and each year, we've earned a little more respect. I believe people are talking about us like they did the C-USA of old."
The regular season concludes with the C-USA Women's Basketball Championship on March 6-9, in Orlando, Fla.
