Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs will get the 2020-21 season underway this weekend, traveling to Tusculum University for a 2 p.m. tip in South Atlantic Conference women's basketball action. Wingate's home opener, originally scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 24 has been postponed. The 'Dogs will play their first game in Cuddy Arena Wednesday, Dec. 2, hosting UVA-Wise at 5:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs are coming off a 17-13 season, going 11-11 in league play. Wingate had made six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances prior to last season. The Bulldogs have appeared in the NCAA Tournament eight times in the last 10 seasons, advancing to the regional semifinals on five occasions. The Bulldogs return 11 letter winners from last year's squad, while welcoming six newcomers (3 freshmen, 3 transfers).

The COVID-19 pandemic has obviously complicated the season, pushing back the start of practices and games while already causing postponements and cancellations in the schedule. Besides a couple of setbacks, the Bulldogs have been able to keep a relatively normal practice schedule throughout the preseason.

"We've been fortunate to have been able to practice fairly normally," head coach Ann Hancock says. "We got shut down once or twice, not for a significant amount of time, so practice has carried on relatively normally and that's been fun. It's like a distraction from everything going on around us, and having teammates to see every day and rely on and a team to keep your mind occupied has been a good thing for everybody."

The Bulldogs had six freshmen play at least 11 minutes per game last season, with three starters, leading to some up and down results throughout the season which was highlighted by a 59-56 victory over #17 Anderson and a 51-47 win over eventual SAC Tournament champion Tusculum in the regular season finale.

"It is amazing the difference a year makes," Hancock says. "Having so many freshmen last year made every drill difficult. Now that they're back as sophomores, they know how to do the drills, know what we're trying to accomplish and have a better understanding of how to play to win. With the addition of three key transfers and the experience gained last year, this should be a good combination of talent, youth and maturity. We have a tremendous foundation with which to work. Hopefully we will be able to showcase all of the pieces to the puzzle."

POINT GUARDS

Sophomore Hannah Clark returns to run the point for the Bulldogs in the 2020-21 season. One of two players to start all 30 games last season, Clark led the 'Dogs with 11.2 points per game while also playing a team-high 30.7 minutes per contest. She handed out a team-best 50 assists while knocking down a team-high 52 threes on 38 percent shooting, earning a spot on the All-SAC Freshman Team. "Hannah had a really solid freshman year," Hancock says. "She can score the ball from the perimeter, get to the basket, runs the team, is vocal and has a tremendous basketball IQ."

Sophomore Jaia Wilson appeared in all 30 games during her freshman season, playing 11.2 minutes per game while contributing 2.0 points per contest and handing out 29 assists to go along with 15 steals. "Jaia is one of the most improved players on the team," Hancock says. "She really took the summer to get into great shape and work on her outside shot. We knew it was in there, but now she's more confident and it's been displayed at practice on how much work she's put in. She gives us a different look, takes pride in defending, putting pressure on the ball, and has extended her range as a threat on the perimeter while still having a great ability to get to the basket."

Freshman Lauren Sullivan will also see some time at point guard for the Bulldogs. The Lake Norman High School product was a three-time all-conference and all-county selection, earning team MVP honors each of the last three seasons while averaging 19 points and six rebounds per game as a junior. "Lauren hasn't practiced full out yet, coming off an ACL tear in her senior season of high school," Hancock says. "She has a very high basketball IQ and deep range, but is being slowly worked in coming off an injury. We can tell from the limited drills she has been allowed to do that her future is bright.  She sees the floor well, finds the open player and can put the ball in the basket."

WINGS

Junior Elana Ingram started 24 games during her sophomore season, averaging 7.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. She was second on the team with 44 assists, while leading the Bulldogs with 57 steals. "Elana is the returning wing with the most minutes played," Hancock says. "She has experience, strength and a great ability to get to the basket. We also count on her for leadership on and off the court. She takes pride in being able to lock down the other team's best offensive player. Elana has no fear when she is on the court."

Junior Maeola Willis appeared in all 30 games last season, making nine starts as a sophomore. She contributed 1.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per game, while adding 29 steals, 28 assists and six blocked shots. "Maeola is super athletic, a great driver and she has really finished well around the basket at practice this season," Hancock says. "She is a tough defender that takes a lot of pride in getting steals and deflections and pressuring the ball. Offensively, she is crafty and finds ways to get other people the ball where they can be successful. She sees the floor, anticipates and understands angles and spacing."

Sophomore Bryanna Troutman made 22 starts for the Bulldogs during her first season, contributing 9.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. She added 36 steals, 35 assists and 28 blocked shots while notching six double-doubles. "Bryanna is someone that can play either the wing or the post and has a size advantage if she's on the perimeter," Hancock says. "She is a great athlete that rebounds well and has really worked on her perimeter shot, while also working on her finishing ability around the basket. She is amazing in the open court. It is hard for defenders to stay in front of her when she gets the ball going downhill. Her versatility makes her a difficult matchup."

Sophomore Jaxson Douglas appeared in 24 games last season, contributing 3.0 points per contest while ranking second on the team with 18 threes. "Jaxson is a very good three-point shooter," Hancock says. "She has worked hard during the break to improve her ball-handling skills. If we have to have a three, she's one of our best options. Jax is also an unselfish player who is one of our best passers into the post. She is willing to give up a good shot for a great shot if the post is open."

The Bulldogs will also have four newcomers that will contribute on the wing, including transfers Aliyah Whiteside and Mikayla Dyson along with freshmen Peyton Davis and Ashley Breindl.

Whiteside played her high school basketball at R-S Central High School in Rutherfordton, N.C. before spending two years at Spartanburg Methodist College. She scored over 1,000 points in high school, leading the Hilltoppers to four conference titles and four straight 20-win seasons. She averaged just under 16 points per game at Spartanburg Methodist, earning All-Region honors for the Region X champions. "Aliyah is a little different from our other wings," Hancock says. "She is a great on-ball defender, can get to the rim, can shoot it from distance, but probably has the best midrange game of anyone on the team. She can also create her own shot as well as anyone on the wing. She is a great transition scorer, so she will definitely add some good things to our attack."

Dyson piled up nearly 1300 points at Lincolnton High School to go along with over 900 rebounds, earning all-conference accolades three times. She played her first two collegiate seasons at Gardner-Webb University. "Mikayla can play on the wing and in the post," Hancock says. "As a wing, she has a size advantage to post up smaller people, but also has a really good three-point shot to bring taller defenders away from the basket. She has a good understanding of the game and finds a way to be involved in the play. She seems to have a knack for getting an offensive rebound, making a nice post feed or putting the ball in the basket. Mikayla loves the game and you can tell by the way she plays."

The freshman Davis was a three-sport athlete at Hoover High School in Ohio, playing basketball, volleyball and track. She was the basketball team captain and a four-year all-state selection for the Vikings, earning District 4 Player of the Year in Ohio. "She's been maybe the biggest surprise of the preseason," Hancock says. "She's tough, gritty, and has no fear. She plays super hard, is in great shape and has really stood out as a leader, even as a freshman. She is such a positive influence, gives great encouragement and we expect her to get significant minutes as a freshman."

Breindl played at South Forsyth High School in Alpharetta, Ga. where she was a three-time all-region selection while earning County Player of the Year honors as well, leading the War Eagles to the Georgia state playoffs all four years of her career. "Ashley has an aggressive mindset and a sneaky way of getting to the basket," Hancock says. "She's just good at finding the ball both offensively and defensively. She has tremendous range from three. She has the ability to give us depth and the wing or trail post positions. Her determination and drive to be the best will propel her to do great things for our program."

POSTS

Graduate student Haleigh Hatfield played her high school basketball at Mount Tabor in Winston-Salem, N.C. She started her collegiate career at High Point University, then transferred to UC-San Diego. She was the Northwest Player of the Year in high school, while starting every game her first year at High Point and earning Big South All-Freshman team honors. She averaged a double-double at UC-San Diego while leading the team in rebounds and three-point shooting. Hatfield helped the Tritons pile up a school-record 30 victories while earning second team All-Region accolades. "Haleigh brings a whole new element to the team," Hancock says. "She has maturity, confidence, experience, and she's got the skills to go along with that. She's a good shooter, can play with her back to the basket, knows how to make reads and create for herself. She also has an unbelievable knack to position for rebounds and get the boards. She seems to always be at the right place at the right time and has been able to put the ball in the basket efficiently."

Sophomore Destiny Coleman started 17 games last season, ranking third on the team with 9.8 points per contest to go along with 5.3 rebounds per game. She added 24 assists and 24 steals to go along with five blocks. "Destiny brings a different skillset to the post than the others," Hancock says. "She has the unique ability to hang in the air and time her shot against bigger opponents. She has a great midrange game, and has expanded her three point shooting during the offseason. We are expecting her to give us a lot of minutes and play a key role for us in the post."

Junior Ilene Hurley appeared in 23 games during her sophomore season, contributing 1.3 points and 1.5 rebounds per game while adding five blocked shots. "Ilene is also much improved," Hancock says. "She's always been a good shooter facing the basket, she's now gotten better at finishing with either hand around the basket. I think she'll see some important minutes in the post for us. Ilene is as tough and hard-nosed as they come. She has never missed a practice and is consistent in her effort. You always know Ilene is going to give her best and do whatever the team needs her to do."

Sophomore Daphney Saylor appeared in 28 games as a freshman, averaging 2.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. "Daphney plays as hard as anyone I've ever seen," Hancock says. "Her go button is always on and she has a high motor. She hasn't played basketball for very long, so it has been a process for her learning how to channel her energy, but her effort and enthusiasm are unmatched. She has improved her finishing skills around the basket. She loves to play defense so much I know she'll play a key role for us in the post and in pressing situations."

Redshirt sophomore Makenzie Crump did not play last season after appearing in 16 games during the 2018-19 season, averaging 1.3 points per contest and pulling down 13 rebounds. "Makenzie has had limited practice time due to injury," Hancock says. "She loves the game as much as anyone, is so dedicated to get out there. She has the ability to stretch the defense, she can shoot the three, take people off the dribble. She just needs to get game experience to get more relaxed and get more confidence. I think she could surprise people with her aggressive play."

Redshirt freshman Jaeda Scott looks to get her first action as a Bulldog this season after a standout career at Clayton High School where she was the team MVP while leading the Rams to two regular season conference titles and a pair of conference tournament championships. "Jaeda is also way up there on our list of most improved," Hancock says. "She has great hands for a post player and she sees the floor well. She's a good passer, has gotten stronger as a finisher around the basket. Her perimeter skills are special for someone with her size. It isn't often that you see a traditional post player who can handle and pass like she can. She also has good post moves with her back to the basket. You can tell she has been around the game."

The Bulldogs start the season this weekend at defending SAC Tournament champion Tusculum this Saturday. Wingate is at Catawba next Saturday, then comes home Wednesday, Dec. 2 to host UVA-Wise. After a trip to Queens the following Saturday, the 'Dogs host Mars Hill and Newberry before Christmas. As of now, the Wingate University Athletic department has announced that there will be no outside fans allowed to attend Wingate home games. Wingate will provide live video and live stats for every home contest during the season.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,600 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 36 undergraduate majors as well as six master's and four doctoral programs. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; and the College of Professional Studies, which includes the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Wingate is the leading healthcare education provider in western North Carolina, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Athletes on Wingate's 23 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 13 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.