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Women's Basketball By Donald Heath

Lady Tigers Continue To Build, Eyes On Unfinished Business

Savannah, Ga. [By Donald Heath] – The Savannah State University women's basketball team faced many unknowns last season before becoming known as one of the most successful women's teams in school history.
 
Now the Tigers enter their third full season in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) play.
 
"I lost a lot, but I have a lot returning in key spots," said Head Coach Cedric Baker, who will try to duplicate a 27-3 record – his best as he begins his 19th season at Savannah State.
 
Baker wasn't sure what to expect a year ago. The Tigers entered a new league during the 2019-2020 season and did well, finishing with a 10-7 conference record. But they struggled in the postseason, losing to Tuskegee in the opening game of the 2022 SIAC Tournament.
 
During the 2020-21 season, they played only seven games because of the threat of COVID. Last year, was only the second full year in the conference. But there was talent, albeit slightly different than past squads.
 
"We had potential," Baker said. "We could shoot the ball, but the team was uncharacteristic from teams I coached before. I had always coached toughness on defense. This was more of an offensive team. We outscored most people. The 3-ball was our favorite. We had to scheme a lot on defense."
 
It worked out well. SSU scored 80.0 points a game – seventh in Division II and its 18.4-point margin of victory was fourth best nationally.
 
The Tigers won the Eastern Division of the SIAC and played for the conference tournament title. Despite a two-point loss in the title game to Benedict, SSU went to the NCAA Tournament and eventually ranked 25th in the final Women's Basketball Coaches Association top-25 poll. Baker earned SIAC Coach of the Year honors.
 
But that was last year.
 
"I've always been a builder," Baker said. "You start with the parents and kids and you make a commitment to them. I think that's the biggest thing – do what you say you're going to do. … I strongly believe the look, the feel, the sound determine the success of the program."
 
The Tigers' look and feel will be different this season because four of the top five scorers are gone – taking 143 of the team's 185 made 3-pointers with them. But that sound of pounding you'll hear will come from the return of senior center Bria Gibbs, a first-team All-SIAC performer last season, who averaged 12.7 points and 8.2 rebounds a game around the basket.
 
Gibbs, who led the team with a 57 percent field-goal percentage along with 29 blocks, will get inside help from forward Ta'Quashia Lampkin. The junior had her season-high 14 points in the SIAC championship game against Benedict.
 
Gibbs was named to the SIAC Preseason First Team and Lampkin was named to the SIAC Preseason Second Team last week. The Lady Tigers were voted to finish second in the SIAC East Division behind Benedict.
 
"(Gibbs) is a great post player who can play with her back to the basket and together with Ta'Quashia Lampkin, they could rebound the ball and we could get out and run," Baker said.
 
Junior Amari Heard, who is the second leading returning scorer averaging 7.4 points, will contend for time at power forward.
 
Baker said he'll play a two-guard system with senior Mia Goolsby and sophomore Nyla Allen handling the ball. Goolsby averaged 6.7 points and 3.0 rebounds.
 
Baker said the small forward starting position has been up in the air during the preseason with candidates Myasia Jones, Jashiyah Jones, Amani Hamilton and Autumn Westmoreland taking their best shots.
 
"We ask a lot from that position, to rebound, handle ball, shoot ball. We're challenging them to be a focal part of defense," Baker said.
 
Hamilton is part of a strong recruiting class that includes her high school teammate K'lya Hankerson at Johnson High in Savannah and guard Jakayla Harrison from state champion Lovejoy.
 
"It was a fun team to coach (last season) and with 10 back – players knowing the offensive sets and defensive rotations and providing leadership in the locker room – that makes the transition easier," Baker said.
 
Baker's team moves into the new campaign with an eye on finishing the business of wining the SIAC Title this year.
 
"I feel like this year, we have a chip on our shoulder," Goolsby said in the SIAC Media Day press conference. "Coming up short last year. I feel like this year, we're going to come stronger come harder and finish."
 
"It was definitely a blow to come up short at the championship," Gibbs added in the press conference. "But it only motivated me and my teammates to go harder. Over the summer, we've been working hard in practice. We've been putting in the work because we want to walk away with that championship this year."

The Lady Tigers open their season at the Miles College Classic on Nov. 12. They face Oakwood on Saturday and Miles College on Sunday, Nov. 13.
 
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