Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) women’s basketball

Head Coach Tiffany Phillips believes this recruiting class will strengthen the team’s overall athleticism, “We have some very talented young ladies coming to SAGU next year.  They are all passionate about basketball and fell in love with the school.  Where we lacked some athleticism this past year, I feel like this group brings many athletes to the table.  We have great defenders, we have some size and some ball handling.”

The Lady Lions are excited to welcome Sydney Meador, Jessica White, Kiara Glenn, Erika Johnson, Carson Marsh, Alyssa Wells and Brianna Wells

Sydney Meador – Denton, Texas (Denton-Guyer HS)

Highlights: Senior Year scored 348 points, averaging 11.2 points per game.  Averaged 78.6% from the free throw line.  Made 40 three pointers.  Junior year- scored 305 points, averaging 10.1 points per game, 84% from the free throw line, 24 three pointers for the year.

“Sydney is a great addition to our program and she fits the mold of a SAGU student-athlete to a ‘T’,” explains Coach Phillips, “She is an extremely hard worker, loves the game so much and she plays with tons of passion. It doesn’t hurt that she can shoot the three really well. She is a smart player who knows how to create her own shot and we are thrilled that she choose to be a part of our growing basketball program.”

Jessica White – Porter, Oklahoma

Highlights: Scored 580 career points, which is 3 ^rd in school history.  Ranks 1 ^st in school history in rebounds and career blocks.  She had 414 career rebounds and 69 career blocks.  Averaged 6.2 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game in her senior season.

Coach Phillips is happy to add White to the lineup, “I saw Jessica play in Oklahoma City last summer and immediately loved her length and ability to force opponents to take tough shots. She is a great rim protector and I know she will make an impact on the defensive end. I think she has a huge upside and I know that our staff can bring out the very best in her and she will become a great forward.  She wants to be one of the best and that desire will lead her to do great things.”

Kiara Glenn – Ennis, Texas (Ennis HS)

Highlights: Four year starter, 1,589 career points, 322 career rebounds, 231 career assists, 255 career steals, named All-District and All-State.

“We really got a steal with Kiara. She went completely under the radar and I think we are blessed to have her as she will make an immediate impact. She gives us an athletic guard who can get to the rim and create shots for herself and for our great shooters. She is the type that can just go, she has IT. We had an immediate bond the first time I went to see her play and she is always texting me asking me what she can do to improve and ‘Coach, did you see Morgan William (Miss. St guard in Final Four), that’s how I want to be. I can do those things too. I’m itty bitty.’ I am excited for this young lady. She will do some amazing things here at SAGU and I believe really turn some heads in our conference,” explains Phillips.

Erika Johnson – Fort Worth, Texas – (Dunbar HS)
Highlights: Senior season averaged 10.1 points per game, eight rebounds per game and eight blocks per game.  As a junior she averaged 11.2 points per game, nine rebounds per game and seven blocks per game.

“Erika is a great defender and shot blocker. I think this is something we have been missing, someone that can protect the rim and keep those pesky guards in our conference from getting to the rim on us,” remarks Coach Phillips, “She is a very raw athlete with great size. You can’t coach those intangibles and she has those. She is going to be a very special player and we are happy that she is going to continue her career at SAGU.”

Carson Marsh – Mabank, Texas (Mabank HS)

Highlights: As a senior, she averaged 12.7 points per game, 2.5 assists per game and three steals per game and shot 44% from the field.  Junior season- averaged 11.3 points per game, two assists, five rebounds and three steals per game.

Coach Phillips is ready to welcome the hard worker to the mix, “Carson is another one that fits the SAGU student-athlete mold well. She is an amazing young lady and she can play basketball too. She is athletic and can do amazing things on the floor. Carson has a chance to be really special. She is a hard-worker and knows how to overcome adversity. Carson and I formed a relationship the last two years at our summer camp and I knew immediately that I wanted her to play for us. She is just a pleasure to be around and she helps us to become better.”

Alyssa Wells – Conway, Arkansas (Conway High School)

Highlights:  Averaged 10 points per game, six assists and six steals per game her senior season.  Scored a 24 points career high.  Played on three state finalists teams.  5’11 forward.

Brianna Wells – Conway, Arkansas (Conway High School)

Highlights: Averaged eight points and 12 rebounds per game.  Also averaged three steals, four blocks and 10 assists per game as a senior.  Played on three state finalist’s teams with her twin sister Alyssa.  Will also play volleyball for SAGU.

Coach Phillips is happy to make SAGU a family affair for the Wells sisters, “These two girls have played for an outstanding coach in Arkansas and they know how to compete at a very high level.  They are so athletic and I believe that their best basketball is in front of them.”

These seven recruits will be added to a young SAGU team that finished 11-16 overall.  The Lady Lions will lose three seniors to graduation.

About SAGU:
Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private, Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The university was established in 1927, and now offers more than 70 associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.