Mize set for second season with Lincoln women's basketball

Lincoln guard Niyah Jackson drives up the court during a game last season against Northwest Missouri State at Jason Gym.
Lincoln guard Niyah Jackson drives up the court during a game last season against Northwest Missouri State at Jason Gym.

Drea Mize's tenure as Lincoln women's basketball coach got off to a bit of a rocky start last season.

The beginning of the season was delayed due to a COVID-19 quarantine, and then the Blue Tigers had to face a difficult 22-game schedule that featured only MIAA opponents.

"We got two practices in, when we hadn't practiced in two-and-a-half weeks, right before our first game," Mize said. "Then we played three games in eight days."

Mize said she feels much more comfortable with this year's team, regarding the system and culture, as the Blue Tigers prepare to open their 2021-22 season tonight against Southern Arkansas in the Central Region Challenge. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. in Jason Gym.

"Our ability to make plays is a lot better this year," said Mize, who recruited all 15 players on this year's roster as she begins her second season in Jefferson City. "We've got some flat-out scorers. Our biggest thing right now is discipline, especially on the defensive end."

This weekend will be Lincoln's first non-conference games since December 2019. Upper Iowa and Arkansas-Monticello are the other two teams participating in this weekend's Challenge, and the Blue Tigers wrap up the four-game event at 5:30 p.m. Saturday against Arkansas-Monticello.

"Not playing non-conference last year hurt us a lot," Mize said. "We hadn't won a conference game in two years, and non-conference helps prepare you for conference.

"And being able to have full capacity in the stands again? I have yet to experience what the cheers and the band will bring, on top of the fans."

Lincoln returns six players to this year's roster, including four starters.

"If we were already playing our best basketball, I would be concerned," Mize said. "I know we have a lot of room for growth."

The Blue Tigers bring back their top two leading scorers - sophomore guard Niyah Jackson and freshman guard AJ Bradley - who were also the team's leading ball-handlers last season. Jackson started all 22 games, leading the way with 14.5 points per game, while Bradley averaged 12.1 points.

"AJ and Niyah were a 1-2 punch last year," Mize said. "AJ will play more of a point guard role, with Niyah moving to more of an off-guard role."

Also returning is junior guard Haylie Holloway, who was one of five players to get into all 22 games last season. Mize said Holloway was coming off a PCL injury before last season and was only at 60-75 percent, at best.

Another key ball-handler will be sophomore transfer Hya Haywood from Three Rivers Community College, which reached the NJCAA national semifinals in April.

"I love not having one or two true point guards," Mize said. "I like having four or five, with two on the court at all times that can push the basketball."

As for shooting guards, sophomore Kelsey Mitchell comes to Lincoln after leading Lincoln Trail College in scoring last season at 10.7 points per game.

There's also Helias grad Kylie Bernskoetter, a freshman who averaged 15 points per game last season for the Lady Crusaders.

"She was a shy kid when we first started getting her going, and now, I teasingly tell her, 'At one point, I will look at you and say I miss the days when you didn't talk,'" Mize said.

Sophomore Ashtin Ingram comes back as Lincoln's top 3-point shooting threat, and freshman Aliyah Bello is also a returning starter, but she's been nursing an injury this preseason. Junior transfer Mercy Gonzalez comes to Lincoln from Colorado-Colorado Springs and junior Deija Jackson returns after only playing three games last season.

One area Mize addressed this offseason was the Blue Tigers' post presence, especially with the graduation of Vivian Chigbu and Virja Lewis. Lincoln's roster will feature five players listed at 6-foot or taller.

"We're taking the kids from last year who were so guard-oriented, they're not used to throwing it into the post," Mize said. "Now we're working on post-entry passes and being able to see that part of the floor."

Sophomore Le'Yanna McGinnis transferred from Cloud County Community College, where she averaged 21.3 points and 9.4 rebounds.

"She can flat-out play," Mize said. "If you can average that in the Jayhawk Conference, you can play basketball."

Other post transfers include freshman Ayreona Carter, sophomore Kimora Pooler and sophomore Bailey Lewis, a 6-7 center from Coastal Carolina.

The Blue Tigers also added a national champion in the offseason with sophomore forward Imani Jones, who won the NJCAA title at Northwest Florida State - which beat Haywood and Three Rivers in the semifinals.

"Seeing them start to gel and read off each other, having the camaraderie, that's a big point of emphasis for us," Mize said.

Lincoln, which was picked to finish last in the MIAA preseason polls, opens conference play Dec. 4 at Central Missouri, which reached the NCAA Final Four last season.

"We competed in some really good games last season," Mize said. "It made me realize we needed more height and more depth. I want to be able to rotate in 8-10 players, I want to play a different style than the MIAA has seen lately.

"Now it's just about bringing it to life. I don't know if we're quite there, but I definitely think we're moving in the right direction."