ST. AUGUSTINE – Flagler College head women's basketball coach Mo Smith is coming off of one of his best seasons in his seven-year career with the Saints. He completed his 16^th year in coaching overall. Flagler finished in fourth place in the Peach Belt Conference and boasted two all-conference selections.

This year's team returns seven players, including three with starting experience.

"We have a good core coming back," said Smith. "All have played significant minutes and have been contributors in the last year or two."

Six new faces will get to compete against the returnees for playing time this year. Four of the newcomers are transfers, including three with NCAA Division I experience.

The Saints backcourt took a hit with the graduation of all-conference guards Sharale McCormick and Destiny McClendon. They were Coach Smith's top two scorers last year and were responsible for 39 percent of the scoring.

He can lean on a couple of returnees with experience. Jessica Dowdy started 17 games last year and averaged 6.2 points per game. She was second on the team in assists with 40 and third in steals with 25. Jazmine Major, who missed the last few games of the season due to an injury, came off the bench to average 8.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. She scored 23 points at USC Aiken in her last game before her season-ending injury.

Aspen Weeks played in all 28 games last year and finished with 91 points and 22 assists. Emerson Kutz played in 13 games and will push for more time this year. Both have impressed in the preseason.
 
Natalie Herrin, one of two transfers from Presbyterian College, comes in as a senior with 58 games played under her belt. She may start out at the point, but is a true combo guard. Bre Jones is a true freshman, but has a lot of potential as she has all of the tools. Another true freshman that has been a pleasant surprise to the coaching staff has been Mckenna Morrison. She thinks the game, is a good ballhandler and can shoot.

Marley Smith and Carleigh Grimm lead the returnees in the frontcourt. Smith played in all 28 games last year and started in half. She averaged 8.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Grimm led the Saints in rebounding with a 5.8 per game average and also led the club with 16 blocked shots. Abby Smith is a swing who averaged 6.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in her first collegiate season.

Gabby Bush, who transferred in from Lenoir-Rhyne University, where Major came from, looks to be an old-fashioned point forward. She can pass, lead the break, and is good off the dribble. The other Presbyterian transfer is Dennaye Hinds. She is an athletic center who can run the floor, has great hands and great touch around the basket.

Flagler opens the season at home as it hosts the Southeast Region Crossover this Friday and Saturday. The Saints open against Anderson University at 1 p.m. on Friday and then face Shorter University at 3 p.m. Saturday.     

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