2018-19 WBB Preview: Frontcourt
11/4/2018 10:46:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BACKCOURT
Returners: Lydia Baxter, Kiera McKinney
Newcomers: La'Sha Haynes, Amber Leggett, Courtney Cook
HUNTSVILLE – In a guard-oriented league like the Southland Conference, it was little surprise that all 10 slots on the preseason all-league team entering this season were taken up by backcourt players. However, with a number of capable frontcourt options, that could be just the edge the Sam Houston State Bearkats need in 2018-19.
In her first year at the helm, head coach Ravon Justice was able to welcome back each of Sam Houston's frontcourt starters and brought in another three pieces who could help give the Kats a formidable frontcourt attack.
“We have gotten bigger with having Courtney (Cook) and Kiera (McKinney), but we need them to play at a pace they can maintain, and I think they are close to that,” Justice said. “That's the hardest part of playing in a guard-oriented conference such as this. If we are able to get our posts conditioned to play at that pace, then it will definitely create some mismatches in our favor.”
One of the biggest pieces returning for the Kats this season is senior Lydia Baxter, who finished seventh in the league with 7.4 rebounds per game as a junior. She only started eight games a year ago, but was arguably the Kats' top players in the final 10 games of the year when she reached double figures in scoring seven times with three double-doubles.
At 6-0 with the ability to play with her back to the basket, Baxter has seemed to be at her best when she is using her combination of strength and athleticism to rebound and make plays around the hoop. She hit 60 percent of her shots from the field last season and took a team-high 103 free throws, taking advantage of that by hitting 70 percent of her shots from the charity stripe.
“We want to make sure to use Lydia's experience right now,” Justice said. “She had some successful games last year, especially late in the season, and we are wanting to carry that over into this year. The biggest thing with her is that she bangs well and rebounds well. We are going to see if we can take that up a notch since she is such a consistent rebounder, and I think she can do that once she really learns the system and how to put herself in positions to score.”
While Baxter profiles to hold down the power forward spot, the Kats will also have a pair of 6-2 options at center in junior returner Kiera McKinney and newcomer Courtney Cook. McKinney used her size to rank fourth in the SLC with 1.3 blocks per game as a sophomore, and also averaged 6.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 27.0 minutes per game.
Despite being a center, McKinney possesses one of the better mid-range jumpers on the squad and that helped her reach double figures five times last year. Meanwhile, Cook joins the front line after spending her sophomore season at Tyler Junior College following a freshman season at UIW. With that pair in the frontcourt, Justice knows that she has options to work with, each with different skillsets.
“Courtney and Kiera will split time at the 5-position because they are two totally different players,” Justice said. “In practice Courtney battles the skill of Kiera, but Kiera battles the toughness and physicality of Courtney. I think that is going to help both of them, and I think they both can really help us as a team this year.”
Two other additions Justice has made include freshman Amber Leggett and senior transfer La'Sha Haynes. Leggett signed on with the Kats last spring and has been a welcome addition to the squad this fall. A Florida native with an athletic family pedigree, Leggett was a true standout in the Sunshine State where she averaged a double-double and led her prep team to the Final Four in Florida.
“She is a workhorse, really our energizer bunny,” Justice said. “We are going to have to rely on her early, even as a true freshman, because she is going to outwork you in every aspect on the floor and do all of the dirty work that needs to be done.”
Meanwhile, Haynes is a true four who was with the past two seasons for Justice at Prairie View. She redshirted last season, but in 2016-17 she led the Panthers and ranked fourth in the SWAC in total rebounds while also averaging 6.6 points per game.
“La'Sha is tough, and a hard player to guard,” Justice said. “She is a good rebounder and rebounds very well in space, which is something that I thought we needed. Someone who can be as active as she can on the boards and make plays even out of position, that will bring a lot to our team.”
