2024-25 SWAC preview

With two of their top three scorers returning, the Lady Tigers are also the hunted. They were selected as the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) preseason favorite for 2024-25, garnering 10 first-place votes.

“I am very thankful and humbled to the fact that people recognize that we are headed in the right direction,” second-year Grambling State head women’s basketball coach Courtney Simmons told reporters during SWAC media day in September. “We’re not there yet, but we’re doing some things right. … It does feel good for your peers to vote for you to be in the top spot.

“However, we want to keep the main thing the main thing, and the goal is to be No. 1 at the end of the season. Although preseason polls are great, they mean nothing in March. I think for my kids, it is good for them, and they’re all excited.”

According to Simmons, last season’s successful campaign — which featured an 11-game winning streak, a triumph over Arizona State, 23 victories and a road victory in the WNIT — was a testament to the team’s progress. While she was pleased with leading the Lady Tigers to their first 20-win season since 2002-03, that accomplishment couldn’t quiet the offseason stomach rumblings for the program. Everyone believed they could have done more.

Grambling State enters the season with plenty to prove. It was overlooked for individual preseason recognition, had no players earn postseason awards last season and suffered a heartbreaking loss in the SWAC semifinals on a buzzer-beater despite finishing second in the conference. Those slights, coupled with a disappointing ending, left the Lady Tigers with a sour taste, like stale collard greens.

Fueled by these setbacks, the Lady Tigers are not just hungry, but also determined and resilient in their pursuit of success.

“It’s like if I had a bag of chips,” Simmons said. “Let’s say your favorite chips were Doritos. They’re not sponsoring us, but let’s say Doritos was your chip of choice, and I opened a bag and only gave you one chip. You’re going to want more. You’re going to want a handful of chips, and that’s how I look at the postseason. Once you go that first time, you’re going to want more. … I want to get back to the postseason. I want to get to the NCAA Tournament. And I want the confetti. I got a one-track mind again.”

If the Lady Tigers live up to expectations, they will earn a smorgasbord of treats: a black-and-gold confetti shower, championship rings, T-shirts, parades and social media memories. The main entrée would be a precious trip to the NCAA Tournament, which is the goal.

Simmons believes she has the recipe for another successful season. The Lady Tigers may not have a master chef, but they feature plenty of talented playmakers who can cook up more deliveries than a DoorDash driver. This is probably one reason why Grambling State didn’t receive any postseason honors last season.

The balanced Lady Tigers had 11 players see at least 11 minutes of action, but only one averaged more than 24 minutes. This unity and shared responsibility make Grambling State a force to be reckoned with.

Grambling State was solid on both ends of the floor, which was the secret ingredient to its success. With a pinch of tenacity and a dash of defense, the Lady Tigers applied the heat by leading the SWAC in steals per game (11.3). Grambling State was second in assists (13.7), rebounding margin (+3.3) and scoring offense (71.9) and third in field goal percentage (39.8%) and field goal percentage defense (37.3%).

Nationally, Grambling State displayed why it was an ensemble of excellence. It was third in bench points (32.2), fourth in turnovers forced (22.1), eighth in steals, 14th in offensive rebounds per game (15.0) and 18th in rebounding (41.4) according to the final NCAA statistics.

“Now the work really begins, but I also had to take a second to manage emotions because I think we might have been the only [SWAC] team out of the eight teams that made it to the tournament not to have anybody represent our team. And then to be selected No. 1 and not have anybody on it, I think they have some feelings about it,” Simmons said. “So just trying to control their emotions and try to make sure that they understand that it’s not how you start, but how you finish.”

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Senior guard Kahia Warmsley is one of four Grambling State players returning from last season.

The 5’8 guard was the Lady Tigers’ leading scorer at 10.1 points per game in 24 contests. In addition to playing a team-best 25.3 minutes per game, she was 11th in the SWAC in assists per game (2.6). Warmsley also made 30 3-pointers and shot a conference-leading 35.7% from 3-point distance. She scored in double figures 12 times, including in Grambling State’s WNIT contests.

Also returning for the Lady Tigers are 5’7 senior guard Douthshine Prien, 5’10 senior guard Zayla Tinner and 5’9 sophomore guard Arianna Mosley.

As the Tigers’ offensive leader last season, Prien directed the show with the poise and precision of an orchestra conductor. She was second in the SWAC in assists per game (3.9) and fifth in the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.2). In addition to handing out at least five assists in a single game 13 times, Prien averaged 7.4 points per game.

Tinner averaged 8.5 points per game, which was third. She was seventh in the SWAC in free-throw percentage (78.8). Tinner scored a season-best 19 points in a win over Florida A&M. Mosley, who saw action in every game last season, is expected to play a bigger role. She averaged 4.6 points in 14.9 minutes. She made the most of her minutes because she finished with 30 steals, one of seven Grambling State players to reach that mark.

Key transfers for the Lady Tigers include 6′ senior forward Alyssa Phillip (Georgia State), 6′ junior forward Shaniah Nunn (Troy), 5’5 graduate guard Sharonica Hartsfield (Troy), and 6’5 graduate center Lydia Freeman (Georgia Southern). 

The Lady Tigers were one of six programs to receive a first-place vote as Alabama A&M (4), Jackson State (4), Florida A&M (3), Southern (2) and Prairie View A&M (1). 

The Lady Tigers were followed by Southern, Alabama A&M, Jackson State, Florida A&M, Prairie View A&M, Alcorn State, Bethune-Cookman, Texas Southern, Alabama State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and Mississippi Valley State.

Here’s a look at the rest of the SWAC.

Southern (15-15 overall, 13-5 SWAC, 2023-24 record)

Projected to finish second in the SWAC preseason poll, the Jaguars will be led this season by seniors Aleighyah Fontenot and Tionna Lidge. Southern closed last season by winning eight of its final 10 games. A model of consistency, Southern has enjoyed 17 consecutive winning seasons in conference play.

Fontenot is one of the top shooters in the SWAC. She was second in 3-pointers made per game (1.8) and 3-pointers (55). She was one of five conference players to make at least 50 3-pointers last season. The 5’9 senior guard was sixth in the SWAC in 3-point shooting percentage (33.5).

She made one of the biggest shots in Southern history when she sank a buzzer-beating 3-pointer in the 2023 SWAC semifinals to eliminate Jackson State. It provided the springboard to helping the Jaguars win the SWAC Tournament and earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Lidge, a 6’4 senior center, was 11th in the SWAC in blocked shots (0.9). She played in all 30 games last season and averaged 3.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Aniya Gourdine, a 5’9 senior guard, was eighth in the SWAC steals per game (1.9). She averaged 7.5 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game. Gourdine scored in double figures in seven games and was one of four Jaguars to record at least 35 steals, including seven games with three or more steals.

Southern also welcomes back 6′ senior guard Soniya Reed and 6’2 senior forward Sky Castro. Reed averaged 3.6 points per game and posted a season-high 17 points in a road game against Baylor, while Castro added 2.5 points per game over 30 games. All six returning players averaged more than 12 minutes per game last season.

The Jaguars excelled defensively, finishing third in the SWAC in steals per game (10.37) and fourth in scoring defense (62.5 points per game). Over their final seven games, they allowed 60 or more points just once.

Alabama A&M (15-16, 10-8)

First-year Alabama A&M women’s basketball head coach Dawn Thornton is no stranger to the SWAC, having spent the last five years at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. This marks her third SWAC school. She also worked for three years at Prairie View A&M.

She has a solid foundation to build on with Preseason All-SWAC First Team selections Alisha Wilson and Coriah Beck. Wilson, named Preseason SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, led the conference in rebounding last season (9.9) and posted eight double-doubles, including a standout performance with 24 rebounds and 14 points in a win over Mississippi Valley State, making her the only SWAC player to record 20 or more rebounds in a game.

Beck earned Second Team All-SWAC recognition last season while competing for UAPB. She averaged 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Beck posted double-figures in scoring 20 times, including a career-high 32 points against McNeese State. She also recorded two double-doubles.

Beck was one of five players Thornton brought with her from UAPB. The others are 6’1 senior guard Kourtney Rittenberry, 5’11 sophomore forward Crystiana Whitehead, 6’5 senior center Maori Davenport, and 5’5 senior guard Katia Walker.

Also joining the Bulldogs is Shelomi Sanders, a 5’6 redshirt junior guard and daughter of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, transferring from Colorado. Lauryn Pendleton, a 5’9 senior guard from Arkansas State, averaged 12.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists last season, scoring in double figures 20 times, including a season-high 19 points against South Alabama.

Returning from last season, 6’4 senior center LaCambria Shakespeare started 10 games for the Bulldogs and played in 28 contests. Along with Walker, she will provide valuable experience for Alabama A&M as it embarks on the upcoming season.

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Jackson State (26-7, 18-0)

The reigning SWAC tournament champions will have a new look this season, starting with head coach Margaret Richards. While new to Jackson State, Richards is no stranger to the conference; having spent eight seasons (2016-24) at Alabama A&M, where she led the team to 69 conference wins before moving to Jackson.

The Tigers, who compiled a 35-1 conference record over the last two years, were picked fourth in the preseason poll. Jackson State was the top defensive team in the SWAC last season, and that’s music to Richards’ ears because she is committed to building success through defense and rebounding.

The Tigers boast an experienced roster featuring key transfers like Jaileyah Cotton (East Tennessee State), Zoe Cooper (New Orleans), Rakisha Ballinger (Wagner), and Taleah Dilworth (Kentucky State).

Cotton, a 5’6 junior guard, appeared in 28 games and made four starts, averaging 14.9 minutes per game for ETSU. Cotton’s top performance last year was against Charleston Southern, where she scored a career-high 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting in 17 minutes. Cooper, a 5-11 graduate forward, played and started all 30 games for the Privateers last season. She averaged 4.1 points and 5.6 rebounds while reaching double digits three times. Cooper has 523 career rebounds.

A 5’9 senior guard, Ballinger is a sticky-fingered thief essential to Richards’ defensive philosophy. She led Wagner in steals per game (2.5), which was 36th nationally. Her 78 steals also ranked 78th nationally. She also averaged 8.7 points per game, which was third on the team, and scored in double-digits 12 times.

A second-team All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) selection, Dilworth averaged 14.7 points per game on 48.4 percent shooting last season. She helped the Thorobreds advance to the SIAC championship game and has scored 884 career points.

Another key contributor this season could be 5’5 junior point guard Arianna Durrell, who averaged 9.8 points per game at Itawamba Community College. Durrell, who played a year at Meridian Community College before going to Itawamba, was selected second-team All-Mississippi Association of Community Colleges in 2023. Returning 6′ senior forward Ja’Leah Hickmon, who averaged 10.2 minutes per game in 33 appearances last season for Jackson State, could play a bigger role this season.

Florida A&M (9-21, 8-10)

Head coach Bridgette Gordon enters her second season with eight returning Rattlers, including two of her top three scorers from last season. FAMU, which was picked to finish fifth overall, received three first-place votes.

Olivia Delancy, a 5’6 senior guard, earned a spot on the Preseason All-SWAC Second Team. She is the Rattlers leading returning scorer. Delancy did a little of everything last season for FAMU, averaging 12.1 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game and 1.5 steals per game. Delancy, who was 10th in the SWAC in scoring, had her best performance at Bethune-Cookman when she scored 29 points and grabbed eight rebounds. She scored 20-plus points five times and grabbed four-plus rebounds 17 times. She made 35 3-pointers and was 15th in the conference in 3-pointers made per game (1.2).

Nashani Gilbert, a 5’10 senior guard, averaged 7.2 points per game and shot 81.2 percent from the free-throw line. She led the Rattlers in rebounding at 5.5 per game, which was 15th in the SWAC. Sydney Hendrix, a 5-11 sophomore forward, shined in her role as sixth-woman supreme, playing in 21 games and averaging 6.6 points per contest. Ivet Subirats, a 5’9 graduate guard, was one of two FAMU players to start all 30 games last season. She contributed 6.2 points per game and was second on the Rattlers with 59 assists.

FAMU’s triumvirate of 5’8 junior guard Aina Subirats, 6’3 senior center Jaliya Sharp, and 5’7 graduate guard Nya Bostic all played in at least 16 games and saw more than 13 minutes of action in each contest. New Mexico State transfer Sabou Gueye is a 5’9 graduate guard who averaged 5.8 points and 3.7 rebounds for the Aggies last season.

Prairie View A&M (11-18, 7-11)

The Panthers have turned over their roster as they will have nine new faces this season. It’s a mix of transfers and freshmen. The Panthers were picked to finish sixth in the SWAC despite the roster changes. Amarui Williams, a 6’4 junior center, is Prairie View’s leading returning scorer. She averaged 7.4 points per game and 4.1 rebounds per outing.

Adreanna Waddle, a 6’2 graduate forward/center, made seven starts over 24 games last season and averaged 6.2 points. She also grabbed 4.4 rebounds per game. Mikayla Hutchinson, a 5’9 graduate guard, was one of nine players last season to average at least 14 minutes for Prairie View A&M. Hutchinson averaged 3.3 points per contest and finished with 27 assists. She scored 12 points in the SWAC Tournament last season against Jackson State.

Two of Prairie View A&M’s newcomers: 5’9 graduate guard Kaci Charis (Grambling State) and 5’9 graduate guard Jelissa Reese (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) have SWAC experience, which helps their transition. Freshman point guard C.J. Wilson represented the Panthers during SWAC media day.

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Alcorn State (12-20, 8-10)

Senior forward Destiny Brown was named the SWAC Preseason Player of the Year for the Braves, who fell just short in the conference championship game last season. Despite being ranked seventh in the preseason poll, Alcorn State is confident it has the pieces in place to contend for the title in March. The Braves, who ranked second in the SWAC in field goal percentage defense (37.3), will bring back three starters from their championship game starting lineup.

Last season, Brown led the Braves in scoring, averaging 12.6 points per game, ranking seventh in the SWAC. She was a dominant presence on the boards as well, grabbing 230 rebounds (7.4 per game, which was sixth in the conference), with 67 on the offensive glass. Defensively, she added 57 steals and 37 blocks, establishing herself as one of the team’s most impactful players on both ends of the court.

Brown will have plenty of help this season from 5’6 senior guard Zy’Nyia White and 6’0 senior guard/forward Nakia Cheatham. They each enjoyed sterling moments last season. White was 13th in the SWAC in scoring, averaging 11.7 points per game. White scored in double figures 23 times last season. Meanwhile, Cheatham averaged 9.5 points per game, a team-leading 7.5 rebounds per game, which was fifth in the SWAC, and 1.4 steals per contest. She finished with six double-doubles.

Also returning for Alcorn State is 5’4 senior guard Ashanti Backus, who saw action in 27 games and averaged 14 minutes.

Bethune-Cookman (15-16, 6-12)

The senior duo of Kayla Clark and Chanelle McDonald were named to the Preseason All-SWAC Second Team. The formidable pair were among the conference’s scoring leaders. They will lead the Wildcats, who were picked eighth in the preseason poll.

Despite missing seven games to injury, Clark was second on the team and 22nd in the league in scoring (9.8 ppg) during the 2023-24 campaign. She was second in the SWAC in rebounding with nine boards per contest, including 102 on the offensive glass. Clark made 46.9 percent from the field and led the Wildcats with 24 blocks, which was 10th in the SWAC. Clark scored in double figures 13 times and had three double-doubles.

McDonald, a 6’2 senior forward was 17th in the league in rebounding (4.7 rpg). She was third on the Wildcats last season, averaging 9.5 points per game. McDonald was 11th in the SWAC in free throw percentage (.756). McDonald scored in double figures 13 times and posted three double-doubles.

The Wildcats also have experienced returnees in 5’6 senior forward Kayla White and 5’7 junior guard Karianna Woods. White averaged 8.4 points per game last season and Woods chipped in 6.5 points per contest. Bethune-Cookman was second in the SWAC in scoring defense as it allowed 60.8 points per game. The Wildcats were also eighth nationally in 3-point field goal percentage defense (25.6) and 15th in turnovers forced (20.5).

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Texas Southern (7-22, 6-12)

Head coach Vernette Skeete enters her third season with the Tigers, who were projected to finish ninth in the preseason poll. However, she will rely on junior forward Jaida Belton, a 2024 Preseason All-SWAC Second Team selection.

Belton led Texas Southern in rebounding last season, averaging 7.2 boards per game, ranking eighth in the conference. She also contributed 8.2 points per game, placing fourth on the team, and has established herself as one of the SWAC’s premier shot blockers with 48 blocks, the fourth-highest total in the league. Belton made headlines with a dominant 24-point, 18-rebound performance against Alabama A&M and recorded five games with 10 or more rebounds.

Overall, the Tigers return six players who made at least six starts last season. Texas Southern’s leading returning scorer is 5’9 senior guard Daeja Holmes, who scored in double figures 13 times last season. She averaged 9.7 points and 4.7 rebounds. Holmes also made 31 3-pointers. Other key returnees for the Tigers include 5’8 redshirt junior Tatyanna Clayburne (6.1 points per game, 20 3-pointers), 5’7 senior guard Nya Harmon (6.6 points per game, 22 3-pointers), 5’8 junior guard Anela Thomas (5.3 points) and 5’11 senior guard Alisa Knight.

Alabama State (3-26, 3-15)

Cordasia Harris, who was selected to the Preseason All-SWAC First-Team, is the Hornets’ leader this season. The 6’1 graduate forward was among the conference leaders in numerous categories last season. She led the SWAC in field goal percentage (53.0), was second in blocked shots per game (2.0), third in rebounding (8.6), and eighth in scoring (12.5 points). Harris was 32nd nationally in blocked shots per game and was third in the SWAC with 53 total blocked shots.

The Hornets also return outside shooting threats in sophomore guards April Hooks and Solangelei Akridge. The sharpshooting duo combined to make 65 3-pointers. Hooks, who was 11th in the SWAC in 3-pointers made per game last year, led Alabama State with 35 3-pointers. Meanwhile, Akridge was 17th in the conference in 3-pointers made per game. She also averaged 5.7 points per contest. Sophomore center Anaja Hall, who averaged 3.8 points per game, was ninth in the SWAC in blocked shots per game (1.2).

Alabama State will also welcome 5’11 graduate forward O’Mariyah Tucker to the program. Her experience against SWAC competition should bolster the Hornets. Tucker previously competed at Bethune-Cookman, where she averaged six points and 4.5 rebounds per game in 26 games. Tucker also started 18 contests for BCU. Also returning after missing all of last season is 5’5 senior guard Taylor Smith, who averaged 5.7 points and 2.4 rebounds at Alabama A&M during the 2022-23 season.

Arkansas Pine-Bluff (17-16, 11-7)

UAPB has a new head coach in Erica Leak, a 2005 WNBA Draftee. The Golden Lions will essentially have a new team after several key players transferred including SWAC Player of the Year Zaay Green, who is now at Alabama. Five other players landed at Alabama A&M with its former coach, Thornton.

Leak will rely on transfers Kristyna Boyd and D’Arrah Allen to lead the Golden Lions this season. A Memphis native, the 5’8 Boyd averaged 13.0 points on 43 percent shooting for Walters State Community College. She also averaged 8.0 rebounds per game and 2.4 assists per outing. Boyd had 21 double-digit performances and helped Walters State advance to the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA) Region VII championship game.  

Allen didn’t play at UTEP last season but played during the 2022-23 season at Seward (Kan.) Community College. The 5’8 junior guard averaged 10.1 points per game. She scored in double figures in 22 of the 26 games she played her second year at Seward. Allen also had a 34-point scoring performance.

Mississippi Valley State (4-27, 3-15)

One of the best mid-major players in the country wears the green-and-red of the Devilettes. Senior guard Sh’Diamond McKnight was named to the Preseason All-SWAC First-Team. McKnight is under the radar because MVSU won four games last season under first-year head coach Kimberly Anderson. MVSU was competitive, as five of their SWAC setbacks were by seven or fewer points.

McKnight is the SWAC’s returning leading scorer at 13.4 points per game, which was fifth overall last season. McKnight, who reached double-digits in scoring 22 times last season, led the SWAC in steals per game (2.8), which was also 16th nationally. She was fifth in the SWAC in assists per game (3.2). McKnight’s standout performance included a season-high 31 points against Texas Southern, and closed the season on a strong note, scoring in double digits in five straight games and eight of MVSU’s final nine contests.

Mississippi Valley State will be more than a one-woman team as 5’4 senior guard Jaylia Reed returns. She was MVSU’s second leading scorer (9.6 points per game), which was 24th overall in the conference. Reed scored in double figures 15 times and topped 20 points three times. She led the Devilettes with 56 3-pointers and was third in the SWAC in 3-pointers made per game (1.8).

SWAC changes

The SWAC men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will be different moving forward. Both tournaments will increase their fields from eight to 10 teams for 2025 and have all 12 programs compete in the conference tournament in 2026. The 2025 tournament is moving from Birmingham and will be held at the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, from March 11-15.

Also new for this season, SWAC women’s basketball conference games will be held on Thursdays and Saturdays. In the previous season, conference games were played on Mondays and Saturdays.