A lot of new faces this year (a total of 6) on a full 15 player roster.

Angela Mickens - The point guard a floor general returns, nicknamed "Muff" or "Muffin", she has good handle and excellent court vision. Speedy and pushes the ball in transition. Everything begins with her.

Jazmon Gwathmey - "Jaz" is a versatile 3 that may spend some time at the 4 after picking up some muscle in the offseason. She's a good mid range shooter that can step out to the 3. Her ability to rebound and defend the post will allow Coach Brooks more opportunity to employ a some fast paced 4 guard sets.

Precious Hall - Scorer that can put up points in bunches, the defending conference player of the year should be the preseason favorite again.

Da'Lishia Griffin - D. D. or Dee Dee, a solid interior defender the will be asked to play some 5 with the graduation of Lady. She has a strong powerful frame.

Ashley Perez - The St. John's transfer became eligible mid season last year and help ease the scoring load and pressure off of Hall. She is capable of playing the 1-3 but may spend most of her time at the 2-3 in 3 and 4 guard sets with Muff, Jazz and Hall.

Tasia Butler - The Syracuse transfer is eligible after sitting out last season. Ranked in the top 100 out of high school in ESPN Hoopgurlz, Blue Star, ASGR and Prospect Nation she's a former ESBC and Parade All American that can play the 2-5 for Coach Brooks. A long solid perimeter defender that runs the floor well in transition and finishes. She has a very good mid range and high low post game

Destiny Jones - Destiny is a solid strong post and along with D.D., can be disruptive in the paint. Using Destiny and D.D. together in a big package or high low will be a way coach can change up the flow.

Hailee Barron - Hailee used as a 3 can use her deep ball ability to stretch the defense or get that needed 3 pointer in a pinch.

Carley Brew - Carley can also knock it down from distance and gives more depth to the rotation.

Aneah Young - Aneah one of the 4 freshmen that can make an impact immediately with her athleticism and shooting. A natural 3/2 standing at 5'11".

Amber Porter - 6'3" Stetson transfer that will have to sit out this year. Losing out on Destiny Campbell (elgibility) opened a spot for the Sun Belt defensive player of the year and excellent shot block will give the Dukes much needed height and post help.

Kayla Copper-Williams - Kayla fills an immediate post need with her length and ability to block and alter shots. Standing at a long 6'3" her height alone will help the team.

Savannah Felgemacher - Savannah, another freshman post that is more of a stretch 4 as she can knock down a consistent 3 pointer. This will force opposing post players to leave the paint to cover her opening the floor for the guards to penetrate.

Logan Reynolds - Logan is a point guard with a really good handle and may be the heir apparent to take the reins upon Muffs graduation. Expect her to contribute this year while giving Muff some needed rest.

Elemy Colome - Elemy is a exciting and fun to watch combo guard that has some flash in her handle and passing game. Should be one of the faces of the media guide she has speed and quickness.

This team can play different ways but the strength with probably be in the speed, coaching and versatility of the players.

Projected per Position

POINT GUARD

Angela Mickens
Precious Hall
Ashley Perez
Logan Reynolds
Elemy Colome

SHOOTING GUARD

Precious Hall
Ashley Perez
Aneah Young
Elemy Colome
Tasia Butler

SMALL FORWARD/3 GUARD

Jazmon Gwathmey
Ashley Perez
Tasia Butler
Hailee Barron
Carley Brew
Aneah Young
Savannah Felgemacher

POWER FORWARD/4 GUARD/ POST

Tasia Butler
Jazmon Gwathmey
Destiny Jones
Da'Lishia Griffin
Amber Porter (Redshirt)
Savannah Felgemacher

CENTER/POST

Destiny Jones
Da'Lishia Griffin
Amber Porter (Redshirt)
Kayla Copper-Williams
Tasia Butler
Savannah Felgemacher

As always, looking forward to watching me some Lady Dukes.

Thanks for the info and thread. I assume the LD's will be traveling to UCLA this season?

Any news/rumors on the OOC schedule?

Wow. Not only are these ladies talented but they've seem to have gotten much cuter than back in my day. Lots of height being added which is good.

(06-18-2015 08:37 AM)2Buck Wrote:  Wow. Not only are these ladies talented but they've seem to have gotten much cuter than back in my day. Lots of height being added which is good.

Yes, they are definitely pleasing to the eye in addition to their talent on the court.

Thanks for the info. Really strange to see a full 15 member roster. The last number of years Kenny always seemed to be around 11 or 12.

I would assume some of the newcomers may not see a lot of playing time this year with a solid veteran team coming back. A few of them look like they may
push for some minutes though. Next year will be interesting as the Lady Dukes graduate 5 players in 2016, three starters in Muff, P Hall and Jaz and two spot starters/reserves in Ashley and
Destiny. Team looks stacked and if they can fill in the holes left by Lady and Toia they should go far. Dee Dee will be counted on heavily this year I would think.

Looking forward to the season and hopefully we will start to see some noise about the OOC schedule soon. Assuming Kenny can find anyone that will play the Dukes!!!!!!

Brian

Thanks so much for this post. I.Cannot.Wait. for basketball season to start!

(06-18-2015 10:23 AM)ParentofJMUMRDs Wrote:  Looking forward to the season and hopefully we will start to see some noise about the OOC schedule soon. Assuming Kenny can find anyone that will play the Dukes!!!!!!

Brian

Tentative:

Friday Nov 20 @ UCLA
Sunday Nov 29 @ Hampton
Tuesday Dec 7 @ St Bonnies
Sunday Dec 13 @ Richmond
Dec 20-21 in Orlando playing either W. Virginia/Indiana/Miami

That's the road games. Still finalizing some of the home games

(06-22-2015 07:07 PM)Next Sports Phenom Wrote:  

(06-18-2015 10:23 AM)ParentofJMUMRDs Wrote:  Looking forward to the season and hopefully we will start to see some noise about the OOC schedule soon. Assuming Kenny can find anyone that will play the Dukes!!!!!!

Brian

Tentative:

Friday Nov 20 @ UCLA
Sunday Nov 29 @ Hampton
Tuesday Dec 7 @ St Bonnies
Sunday Dec 13 @ Richmond
Dec 20-21 in Orlando playing either W. Virginia/Indiana/Miami

That's the road games. Still finalizing some of the home games

Thanks for the info, NSP!! Good stuff. If you get/have any updates, posting them here will be greatly appreciated.

Excited to see Tasia Butler now. Didn't know much about her before reading this thread.

http://jmusports.com/news/2015/7/30/WBB_0730154736.aspx

Home Nov 15 Longwood
Home Nov 17 Morgan St
Away Nov 20 UCLA
Home Nov 23 Liberty (2015 NCAA Tournament)
Away Nov 29 Hampton
Home Dec 5 American (2015 NCAA Tournament)
Away Dec 7 St Bonaventure
Away Dec 13 Richmond
Florida Sunshine Classic in Orlando, Fla Dec 20 West VA
Florida Sunshine Classic in Orlando, Fla Dec 21 Baylor (2015 Elite 8)
Home Dec 30 Davidson

Love this team, just year after year great stuff!

One of these years the Lady Dukes are due a breakthrough tournament, but they still remain the model for class and excellence in JMU athletics.

Schedule seems a bit weaker than recent years, no?

(07-31-2015 09:21 AM)Yesolitis Wrote:  Love this team, just year after year great stuff!

One of these years the Lady Dukes are due a breakthrough tournament, but they still remain the model for class and excellence in JMU athletics.

Schedule seems a bit weaker than recent years, no?

No, seems potentially stronger.

(07-31-2015 09:21 AM)Yesolitis Wrote:  Love this team, just year after year great stuff!

One of these years the Lady Dukes are due a breakthrough tournament, but they still remain the model for class and excellence in JMU athletics.

Schedule seems a bit weaker than recent years, no?

Three of those games we will not be favored, UCLA, WVA, and Baylor. LU played Carolina tough in the NCAA's last year. American gave us all we could handle during the season.

If we take a winning record from those five games alone, I'd say we will have done well.

Have heard Kenny say on more than the odd occasion that scheduling OOC games is getting harder due to the fact that teams simply don't want to play the Dukes. The Ladys have knocked off more than a few ranked teams the last few years and word is getting around to avoid JMU.

Nice problem to have I would think.

Time to start planning trips to the Burg!!

Brian

Now THIS is a non-conference schedule! Five home games before the conference season starts should give the team some good support - Liberty and American are strong teams who will give us a challenge.

The Richmond game is on Sunday afternoon, so hopefully all the fans within a couple of hours of Richmond will make the trip. We definitely need to make the Robins Center full of purple and gold that day.

Start making your plans now!

Sorry - I was uninformed on the Liberty and American caliber of women's hoops. Carry on...

The American game last year was a tough one. Wife and I went to Bender Arena and there like 100 people there. Which was a shame as it was a good game. Was a tight game all the way and the Dukes pulled it out on a 3 by Muff at the end of the game.

That game was fairly early in the season and the Lady Dukes were still figuring out what was what team wise. In any case the Eagles put up a tough fight, was a good game to watch.

Brian

Found some video on some of the new comers, not a complete picture but something to snapshot what we may see.

Elemy Colome
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7k4X7P6si0

Tasia Butler
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtCZVMBcnJ8

Aneah Young
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFIl5RuGyxs

Logan Reynolds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYaTNbJ957U

Savannah Felgemacher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCk6SGkFV5w

Kayla Cooper-Williams
(no video Coach Brooks comments)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkLs8NvdrTI