The LaGrange College women's basketball team built a strong foundation under first-year head coach Jasen Jonus during the 2021 season, as the Panthers opened the year with eight straight wins and earned the third seed in the USA South West Division tournament.
"The season was an immense success," said Jonus. "Despite all the obstacles during the COVID-19 pandemic, our student-athletes were committed to the process throughout the entire academic year. We have laid the groundwork for future success. We must continue building off that in years to come. With an experienced returning group and a strong incoming class, we have high expectations for the 2021-22 season."
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The Panthers (8-4, 8-3 USA South) swept the two-game, regular-season series with Agnes Scott, Covenant, Huntingdon and Wesleyan. After earning USA South West Division second team honors in 2020, senior captain Jahpera McEachin was named to the All-Conference West Division first team in 2021. Junior guard Jalaya Lewis earned a spot on the second team.
"This season has definitely been challenging," said Lewis. "With COVID-19 affecting us and everyone around us, we did not know if we would even have a season. Through all the adversity that we faced, we still found a way to come together and have a great season for our first-year coaches. With Jonus and assistant coach Matthew Snyder on our side, we are sure to have more success."
The third seed was the highest finish by the Panthers since the conference went to the West and East Division format in 2016-17. LaGrange finished 5-1 in Mariotti Gym. The Panthers scored 75 or more points seven times and held opponents to 50 or less points on five occasions.
RECORD-SETTING PERFORMANCES:
LC opened the season with a 106-25 win over visiting Agnes Scott on Jan. 15, the second-largest margin of victory in program history. The team's 43 made field goals in the season opener are tied for second best in a single game and the 33 assists rank third.
The Panthers finished with 23 steals and 106 points, as those two numbers are tied for fifth and eighth most, respectively, in the record book. The defense allowed the ninth fewest points (25) in program history.
On Jan. 16, LaGrange outlasted Agnes Scott, 94-20, in Mariotti. The 20 points are tied for the third fewest allowed in program history. The Panthers' 24 steals in the game are good for the fourth most, while the 74-point win is tied for the sixth largest margin of victory.
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JAHPERA CEMENTS HER PLACE IN PANTHER HISTORY:
McEachin will go down as one of the best players to ever wear a LaGrange College women's basketball uniform. The 5-foot-5 guard averaged 19.3 points this year, the most by any Panther in a single season in program history.
She checked in at No. 4 in the USA South in scoring average, while ranking second in 3-point percentage (42.4), second in free-throw percentage (87.0), second in assists (5.8) and sixth in steals (2.7). McEachin scored 25 or more points five times and was named USA South Women's Basketball Player of the Week on Jan. 25.
The Federal Way, Washington, native tied the program's single-game assists record with 14 in the season-opening victory over Agnes Scott. McEachin recorded four double-doubles, two with points and assists and two with points and rebounds.
JALAYA IMPROVES DRAMATICALLY:
Lewis averaged 11.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.1 steals. The St. Simons Island, Georgia, native scored in double figures nine times.
The 5-foot-5 guard scored a career and game-high 20 points in a 79-56 win at Huntingdon on Feb. 12. Lewis buried a personal-best four treys, to go along with 18 points, six rebounds and three steals, in a 69-56 triumph at Covenant on Jan. 23.
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GRACIE ANNOUNCES HER ARRIVAL:
Sophomore guard Gracie Brunel transferred from the College of Coastal Georgia and immediately showcased her versatility and high basketball IQ. The Broxton, Georgia, native averaged 9.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals.
During an 87-24 triumph over Wesleyan on Feb. 16, the 5-foot-7 guard scored 11 of her career-high 22 points in the third. She shot 3 of 4 from deep and 4 for 6 from the field during the quarter.
JADA TAKES NEXT STEP:
Junior captain Jada Brown averaged 8.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals. The 5-foot-7 guard posted career-highs of 17 points, eight made field goals and five steals in the opener against Agnes Scott.
The Macon, Georgia, native scored in double figures five times and pulled down five or more rebounds in 10 games. Brown corralled a career-high 11 boards during a 92-50 win at Wesleyan on Feb. 10.
BREONNA AND MORGAN CONTROL THE PAINT:
Sophomore forward Breonna Glover averaged 7.0 points and a team-leading 7.3 rebounds. Sophomore forward Morgan Grant averaged 5.3 points and 5.8 boards.
Glover recorded two double-doubles. She set personal records with 19 points and 16 rebounds at Wesleyan on Feb. 10. The 16 rebounds are tied for the sixth most in a single game in program history.
Grant scored a career-high 13 points at then-No. 12-ranked Maryville on Feb. 20. The Comer, Alabama, native grabbed a personal-best 11 boards in an 85-46 win over visiting Covenant on Jan. 21.
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Assistant Sports Information Director Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lagrange.edu.
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