Jags gear up for opener

Most coaches are often optimistic about their team and what the season holds in preseason camp.
But Southern’s Sandy Pugh often knows what she’s talking about.
And she almost always has the athletes to back it up.
This year is no different.
“I don’t think this team will be one player dominant,” Pugh said. “We have a lot of players capable of carrying the team on any given night. We have seven or eight kids that can score the basketball.”
And with the emergence of Deidra Jackson and Freda Allen last season, SU definitely has the veteran leadership needed to go all the way.
“Those ladies can do great things in this conference and we have a number of other ladies that can so the same,” Pugh said.
Pugh also said she plans on playing six players off the bench and may start freshman Carneta ‘Woo’ Henderson at point guard, depending on the opponent.
“We’re really excited about our entire team from A to Z,” Pugh said. “If we continue to grow as a unit, I see great things happening for this team.”
Pugh is also expecting good perimeter play out of Hannah Kador and Aerica Hicks. Ashley Augerson will play small forward and power forward.
“We have incredible team balance,” Pugh said. “I’m really excited about that. They’re really working hard, listening and learning. They’re getting better each and every day.”
Pugh had led SU to every Southwestern Athletic Conference title in odd years since 2001, claiming crowns in ‘01, ‘03 and ‘05. SU (12-16, 10-8 SWAC) finished fourth last season.
SU has a tough non-conference slate with games at DePaul and Colorado, but those contests should help the in conference play when they tangle with defending SWAC champion Prairie View and Jackson State.
“I think we have a good schedule in front of us, a schedule where they can start slow and grow,” Pugh said. “Their mental toughness is going to be challenged.”
SU handled its first test well, defeating Dillard 83-62, in exhibition play Monday.
SU is set to begin regular season play tonight against Southern-New Orleans in the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.
Lagniappe
SU is picked to finish third behind Prairie View and Jackson State. Pugh, however, feels her team has what it takes to win it all. She’s also challenged her team to play complete games and close out opponents.
“The whole key is playing forty minutes…Last year I thought we only had one game where we played forty minutes of mentally tough basketball,” Pugh said.
Keys to Success
Staying healthy
Growing together
Playing hard 40 minutes
Notes
For the first time since her freshman year Jackson participated in preseason drills since day one.
“Deidra is special…she has that swagger about her that all the great ones have,” Pugh said. “You can’t coach that.”