Link: USA South Release
The LaGrange College women's basketball team was awarded 25 points and picked fifth in the USA South West Division Coaches' Preseason poll on Wednesday. The Panthers are scheduled to begin their 2021 journey on Thursday, Jan. 21, against Covenant at 6 p.m. in Mariotti Gym.
LaGrange is led by first-year head coach Jasen Jonus and captains Jahpera McEachin, Megan English and Jada Brown. Last year, the Panthers finished 15-11 overall and 8-8 in the USA South, earning the fifth seed in the West Division. McEachin scored 15 points in the first round of the USA South tournament, but LC fell short, 58-54, at fourth-seeded Huntingdon.
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"We have high hopes for the 2021 season," said Jonus. "We have a strong blend of returning talent and promising newcomers. We will play hard every time we step on the court. We will surprise some teams in the conference because the work ethic and desire of our student-athletes will allow us to be competitive in every game."
Piedmont (48 points) and Maryville (44 points) ranked first and second in the West Division with six and two first-place votes, respectively. Berea, the 2020 USA South champion, has opted out of the current season. On the East side, N.C. Wesleyan took the top slot with 48 points and six first-place nods. William Peace, the defending East champion, placed second with 38 points and two first-place votes.
The 2021 USA South tournament will consist of the top-two teams from each division. The No. 1 and 2 seeds will square off against each other on March 3. Three days later, the winners will meet for the conference title and the automatic bid into the NCAA Division III tournament.
The USA South has implemented a rule that states teams must complete seven conference contests to be eligible to earn a divisional championship and advance to USA South tournament play. The conference has also put in a no-spectator policy for safety reasons during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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McEachin is the most-accomplished returning Panther. She earned USA South West Division second team laurels last February. She is a versatile player that can score from multiple spots on the floor, while passing, rebounding and defending at high levels. She scored in double figures in 30 of 52 games and shot 78.8% from the foul line during the last two seasons.
The Federal Way, Washington, native led the Panthers in points (10.6), steals (1.2) and minutes (24.5) per game in 2019-20. She scored a career-high 25 points, shooting 11-for-11 from the foul line, at Oglethorpe on Nov. 9, 2019.
Senior Nadia Montour is another player to keep an eye on this season. She has been a four-year Panther and a force in the low post. The 6-foot center has a unique ability to finish in traffic and through contact in the paint. She establishes tremendous rebounding position and has a knack for anticipating where missed shots are going to land.
Montour ranks sixth in program history in career blocks with 41. Her 25 blocks during 2019-20 are tied for the eighth most in a single season in school history. The Woodstock, Georgia, native blocked a career-high four shots against Covenant on Feb. 15, 2020. The four blocks are tied for the sixth most in a single game in the team's record book. She finished with career-highs of 15 points and eight rebounds in a 67-65 triumph over Berry on Nov. 10, 2019.
The Panthers competed in an exhibition game against Division I Troy on Dec. 7. Sophomore guard and transfer Alerriya Butler scored a team-high 16 points on 6-for-11 shooting from the floor and a 4-for-7 performance on 3-pointers. McEachin chipped in with 12 points and team-highs of five assists and four steals.
Assistant Sports Information Director Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lagrange.edu.
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