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jaylen mallard
Scott Donaldson

JAGUAR WOMEN’S BASKETBALL POSITION PREVIEW – FORWARDS

11/20/2020 12:27:00 PM

Date: 11/20
Position: Forwards

Returning letterwinners (key stats): Casey Ferguson (14 games played-1 game started, 1.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 4 asts, 2 stls); Antoinette Lewis (32 GP-32 GS, 13.2 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 35 asts, 61 blks, 44 stls); Jaylen Mallard (28 GP-1 GS, 2.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 6 blks)

Letterwinners lost (key stats): Kennedi Centers (26 GP-11 GS, 6.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 39 asts, 29 blks, 29 stls)

Returning redshirts/Squad members (Yr., Hometown, Previous school): none

Newcomers (Yr., Hometown, Previous school): none

Miscellaneous Notes
-Lewis — the Preseason Sun Belt Player of the Year — will also play center during the season.
-She was one of two individuals in the league to average a double-double a year ago while ranking among the top 10 in the conference in five different statistical categories.
-Mallard averaged over 12 minutes a game while appearing in all 18 SBC contests her first season with the program.
-She led the Jags with a career-best 10 boards in a February win over Louisiana, and she pulled down three or more rebounds in each of the final four outings of the regular season.
-After appearing in 11 contests her first two seasons at South, Ferguson saw action on 14 occasions last winter.
-The redshirt junior posted a career-high 11 points — adding five rebounds as well — against Miami (Ohio) in the Preseason WNIT while recording seven and six boards in wins over Mobile and Tennessee State, respectively, to close out the opening month of the season.
-Centers ended her final season at the collegiate level ranked fifth in the Sun Belt in blocks per game.
-She was credited with 10 or more boards in three of her final five appearances to finish second on the team in the category.

Head Coach Terry Fowler
-On the role of the team's forwards this season: "It's an important position for us because they handle the ball a lot in our four-out, one-in offense.  Their primary job is to be able to move the basketball and get us into some pick-and-roll action.  They also need to be able to spot up and shoot some threes.  The main thing is they need to move the ball and help get us into our plays, they are really point forwards who initiate a lot of our offense."
-On Jaylen Mallard's development throughout her freshman year: "Having surgery right before the season started set Jaylen back so it took her a little more time to figure things out, but as the season went along she did a great job.  What's been more impressive is that since we came back in the summer she has been as consistent as anyone in the program, she's in great shape.  Jaylen is an all-around intelligent individual, she is so smart on the floor we can do so many different things with her because of her versatility which helps take us to another level."
-On Casey Ferguson: "This year we have really focused on having Casey be primarily a forward for us, which gives us the ability to stretch the floor.  She has been more consistent with her shooting, which is showing up in practices.  Her ability to stretch the floor gives us another versatile look at the position."

Casey Ferguson
-On the most important thing she learned last year playing the position: "The biggest thing for me was to learn how to set screens and how to be that person who keeps plays moving."
-On how she hopes to contribute this year: "I think my biggest contributions will be taking charges defensively and making hustle plays.  Offensively I can pop out and make threes."
-On the strength of her game: "I do what people are not expecting me to do which helps things work out, and keeping the ball moving is also something I am good at."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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