Jag City

Teams who are physically tough will win some games, but they will never win a championship without mental toughness.
Mental toughness is exactly what is being instilled in the minds of the Southern University Women’s Basketball team.
“To win championships you have to be tough mentally and physically,” said Carlos Funchess, assistant coach of the Lady Jags. “But more so mentally.”
With pivotal shooting guard Rolanda Monroe gone, the Jaguars have to be tougher than ever.
“Monroe was not only a leader on the court but off the court as well,” Funchess said. “Her leadership brought calmness on the team, and a lot of players fed off her energy.”
Monroe was not the only essential player that the Jaguars lost this year, guard Ciara Shiggs’ presence will be missed as well.
“Shiggs didn’t score a lot of points but she had more heart and soul than anyone,” Funchess said. “She was the best defender on the team, and had mental toughness.”
Funchess said seven players returned, and four newcomers have joined this season’s team.
With Monroe and Shiggs’ absence the Jaguars have to advance their level of skill. Veteran players haveto step up and take charge, but ultimately each player will play a key role.
“All of the players are going to have to step it up, even the freshmen,” said Funchess. “This year it will definitely be a community effort.”
Despite their title of 2005-06 Southwestern Athletic Conference champions, the Jaguars were voted by the SWAC head coaches and sports information directors to finish in second place in the SWAC for the 2006-07 season behind the Lady Tigers of Jackson State.
“I assume that we were chosen to finish in second place because we lost Ro,” said Funchess. “More than likely we won’t have that one player that is going to give us an average of 18 points per game like Ro did. But if we can get two or three players to fill in the offensive and defensive void than we’ll be okay.”
One of this season’s key players is six-feet-four junior center Fredrieka Lewis who has earned preseason second team honors.
Funchess said Lewis’ knowledge and skill of the game will help the Jaguars this season.
“I think that Lewis is the best player in the SWAC,” Funchess said. “It surprised me when she earned preseason second team honors, but that will only motivate her to prove people wrong.”
Lewis is not the only player whose leadership will play a strong role this season, Funchess said lone senior guard Tiffany Jones will be a strong contributing factor also.
“As a senior Tiffany will provide guidance to the younger girls,” Funchess said. “She will have to step it up this season, score more points and enforce her leadership role.”
Of the recruits, true freshmen Brittany Groves, from Compton, Cailf., and Aerica Hicks, of Monroe, seem to have a prominent future with the Jaguars.
“Groves comes from a very good basketball program at Narbone High School in California, she is a dominant player,” Funchess said. “Hicks is an excellent player. She is relentless and the fastest player on the team.”
The Jaguars have been working hard, and people should expect to see their hard work pay off as they defend the title of SWAC champions, he said. “When you work as hard as these girls do, you’re not going to just let someone take a championship away from (you),” Funchess said. “You’re going to fight for it. You’re going to have mental toughness.”
The season opener for the Jags will be Friday, Nov. 17 against Marshall University in West Virginia. Game time is set for 10 am.