Preseason MVP: Stephanie Visscher.

The Ceiling: All systems are on go for the SFA Ladyjacks. The team is stacked with returners who can score and defend, led by guard Stephanie Visscher and post Aiyana Johnson, both juniors. The goal is to reign in the league’s regular season and tournament and to dance into the NCAAs in March. It’s simply SFA’s time to shine.

The Floor: When looking for weaknesses, there aren’t many. But here’s one, last year’s team was just 8-5 in road contests. Maybe (and it’s a big maybe) this team slips to second or third if it lacks focus away from William R. Johnson. But considering all of the returning talent, the Ladyjacks have the make-up of a dominant outfit, home or away.

Projected Starting Five:

Zya Nugent
G | 5-7 | So. | Denison, Texas

Marissa Banfield
G | 5-6 | Sr. | Friendswood, Texas

Alyssa Mayfield
G | 5-11 | Sr. | Tyler, Texas

Stephanie Visscher
G | 6-0 | Jr. | Lulea, Sweden

Aiyana Johnson
F/C| 6-3 | Jr. | Lee’s Summit, Mo. 

MARK KELLOGG
Head Coach

Game of the Year: Sam Houston State

Impact First-Year Player: Tasharian Robinson

Season Preview

Once a given to make the NCAA Tournament, maybe this is the season the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks return to their glory days.

This season's Ladyjacks will be able to score and defend. The top five scorers from last season's 23-6 team that finished second in the Southland standings at 16-4 return. All of those players know their way around on the defensive end, too.

Last season's squad led the Southland in scoring defense.

When assessing the league race, you may as well pencil SFA with some big-time potential to win the league's regular season and advance to the post-season.

The Ladyjacks last played in the NCAA Tournament since 2005.

Why this season?

There is so much to like about this squad.

It starts with the guard/center duo of juniors Stephanie Visscher and Aiyana Johnson.

Visscher, a returning first-team all-leaguer, did everything but sell popcorn last season. The Swede had solid scoring (13.3 ppg) and rebounding (6.4 rpg) numbers while shooting 50 percent from the field and dropping 48 3-pointers.

The guard's 95 assists tell of her ball handling and passing skills. She also had 58 steals and 21 blocks on the defensive end.

While Visscher is effective and versatile on the perimeter, Johnson excels in the paint.

The 6-foot-3 center shared scoring honors with Visscher by averaging 13.3 points and hauling down 8.3 rebounds per game behind 11 double-figure rebounding performances.

She shot 55 percent from the field, managed 68 assists and added 34 blocks and 31 steals.

Those are the stars.

Now to the impressive vets who will fit into supporting roles.

On that list are senior guard Marissa Banfield (9.4 ppg), sophomore guard Zya Nugent (9.0 ppg) and senior Alyssa Mayfield (6.6 ppg). Those players ranked third, fourth and fifth, respectively, for SFA in scoring last season.

Banfield knocked down 64 3-pointers and delivered 66 assists. Nugent had 32 steals. Mayfield contributed 23 assists and 27 steals and averaged 3.6 rebounds.

Other veterans who will be in the mix are Aiyana Johnson's older sister - senior Aaliyah Johnson - a 6-foot-2 center who averaged 3.6 points and 2.7 rebounds with 34 blocks last year.

Junior guard Brianna Mitchell (2.6 ppg, 1.2 rpg) is likey to be a backup on the perimeter.

Tasharian Robinson, a guard who redshirted with an injury last season after transferring from UTSA, has proven to be a solid player in the past.

In 2017-18 for UTSA, she was fourth on her team in scoring, third in rebounding and third in steals. She could very easily elbow her way into the starting lineup. Regardless, she should be an impact newcomer for a squad that is already stacked with athletic and experienced players.

Another redshirt who should be ready to help is 6-foot-4 foreigner Mariia Semenichenko from the Ukraine.

The freshmen class consists of guard Rebekah Crane, forward Avery Brittingham, forward Ines Mus, forward Brionna Scott and guard/forward Franziska Prinz.

Considering the Ladyjacks' star power and other role players, the freshmen may have the luxury of redshirting and gaining experience through practice time.

This loaded team has too many guarantees in the lineup to rush anyone before it's their time.