Replacing a leader is always a tough feat. Especially when that leader was the scoring, rebounding, assists and steals leader on the previous year’s squad.
For Mississippi State women’s basketball coach, Sharon Fanning, this year’s team will not have that go-to-player they had in Tan White, the No. 2 pick in the WNBA draft.
“When we played our last game in the spring, Tan White was no longer on this basketball team,” Fanning said. “You cannot look back on what you don’t have; you have to find a way to get it done with what you have. Right now we are going to deal with these young ladies and figure out how they can win. Then we will figure out who is that go-to-player.”
While experience is as prevalent as past years, this team figures to be an exciting one to watch as this year’s mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen look to run the floor and capitalize on the easy transition buckets.
Playing a large role in MSU’s winning aspirations this season will be the senior trio of Doceide Warren, Blessing Chekwa and Mammie McKinney. Combining for 116 starts and 256 games of experience between them, their continued development and leadership could ultimately decide the team’s fate.
“The real direction of the team lies within three of our seniors,” said Fanning, who’s beginning her 11th year at the helm of MSU women’s basketball. “There has been some injuries through the years with Doceide and Blessing, but as I look at the passion that they have for the game and the competitive spirit they have, I anticipate they will find a way to rotate in there.”
McKinney, a player who Fanning has always said would be a major asset one day, will look to step up her game to a new level this season as she spent all off-season bulking up and putting on 15 pounds of muscle.
This added strength will benefit the forward in her battles in the paint.
“I was trying to put on at least 15 pounds,” McKinney said. “I got tired of getting pushed around.”
Helping push McKinney in controlling the paint will be Chekwa. Known for her defending and rebounding abilities, Chekwa has experienced much of her career being injured.
Over the past few years, she has been cursed with ailments such as a torn ACL, tightening of the shoulder, stomach virus, back surgery and a sprained joint capsule in her knee.
While her nagging injuries have left her on the bench during many contests, the games she did play she played with poise, discipline and heart.
Junior guard Sarah Johnson, a transfer from Louisiana Tech, is a feisty, energetic player who is always looking to push the ball and speed of play to the envelope.
With her quickness and vision, this year’s typical Bulldog up-tempo game looks to be in good hands.
“In transition there is nobody in this country that is going to push a team and have more energy and run for a longer period of time than Sarah Johnson. She pushes the ball down the floor and is communicating,” Fanning said.
Johnson does not figure to be alone in the backcourt as she will have the experience of senior guard Warren guiding her. Warren’s quickness and lane slashing ability allows the open scoring opportunities of others. Equipped with good vision of the floor, Warren also possesses a defensive prowess she hopes is passed on to this year’s incoming class.
“I think our main thing is we have to work on our defense in the backcourt and make good decisions with the ball,” Warren said. “I think everything mostly goes through the backcourt. As far as keeping us on track. [We have to] just limit our turnovers.”
After finishing the season 17-12 last year, qualifying for WNIT play, these Lady Dawgs are not satisfied. While Georgia, LSU and Tennessee are expected to be the elite teams in the conference, Fanning keeps an optimistic view of things.
“Anybody can beat anybody on a given day. We have proven that through the years from year one on. So you have to be prepared,” Fanning said. “We want to win the SEC Championship. We have always been in the top half of this league, and the top four means you are a final four team. Those are the goals, and I don’t talk less than that. If you prepare and find a way to win, you can be in the hunt.”
Schedule Highlights
This years Lady Bulldog schedule will present some difficult matchups for the young squad. Key home games include Southern Miss (Nov. 29), Purdue (Dec. 20), Tennessee (Jan.15) and Florida (Feb. 09).