VIDEO | Bryanna Troutman Interview

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs open the 2021-22 season this weekend, traveling to Pembroke for the Conference Challenge Friday and Saturday. The Bulldogs are coming off a 10-10 season in the shortened 2020-21 campaign, going 9-8 in league play.

The Bulldogs return their top five scorers from last year's squad, led by preseason first team All-SAC honoree Bryanna Troutman, along with last season's honorable mention all-conference selection Haleigh Brandon.  

"It's exciting to be playing in front of fans again and have sort of a normal preseason routine," head coach Ann Hancock says. "We have had some injuries throughout preseason, so it's been hard to solidify positions and roles at this point. Playing two exhibition games and a scrimmage has helped in some ways but some of the positions are extremely close statistically so it's been tough to get a solid read on who plays best together."

With last year's starting five returning, the Bulldogs have formed solid chemistry and consistency. "The attitude and team chemistry have been fantastic," Hancock says. "The team selected "One Heartbeat" as the motto for this season. I have seen them huddling more, picking people up from the floor more and encouraging each other more than teams in the past so that's been nice to see."
 
Wingate is looking to return to the NCAA Tourney this season, after making six consecutive trips from 2014 through 2019, which included four appearances in the NCAA Southeast region semifinals. "Our goals are basically the same every year," Hancock says. "We want to win a championship, make the NCAA tournament and win it all. The players seem to be motivated to make those goals a reality. They have been putting in extra work outside of practice."

With so many important players returning, the Bulldogs have plenty of experienced, mature players to turn to for leadership. "Our leaders are Haleigh Brandon, Hannah Clark and Peyton Davis," Hancock says. "They each bring a different set of skills to the table to help make us better. They are vocal leaders and lead by example. Having a mature team with experience will be different from the past two seasons. We have been extremely young but with the addition of some transfers and an older group, we have more experience than in the recent past."
 
POINT GUARDS

The Bulldogs are solid at the point guard spot, with Jaia Wilson and Hannah Clark returning, along with Lauren Sullivan. Wilson had a breakthrough season last year, averaging 11.3 points per game while handing out a team-best 55 assists. She shot 43 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range. Clark added 7.5 points per game while handing out 26 assists in 13 games. Sullivan appeared in 12 games during her freshman season, shooting 42 percent from three-point range.

"Jaia is our leading returning scorer at the guard position," Hancock says. "She has worked really hard on her fitness and shooting ability. She is playing with more confidence and being aggressive on both ends of the floor. She will push the ball ahead to help us get transition baskets."

"Hannah is returning from surgery in the offseason," Hancock says. "She had a tremendous freshman year but battled through injury issues all last season. Hannah looks to score the ball and is willing to take the tough shot when needed. She has the ability to knock down open threes and stretch the defense. She is a tenacious on-ball defender who doesn't back down from anyone."
 
"Lauren gives us size at the point guard position," Hancock says. "She sees the floor well and does a good job of finding the open player. She has also done a nice job crashing the boards. Her ability to make shots on the perimeter will make it easier for our post to work inside. She has a high basketball IQ and understands what we are trying to do."
 
WINGS

The Bulldogs have a solid mix of returners and newcomers at the wing position, led by Peyton Davis, who earned All-SAC Freshman honors last season. She averaged 9.8 points per game and finished second on the team with 53 assists, leading the team with 27 steals. Madison Lowery joins the Bulldogs after transferring from UMass-Amherst. Wingate also has experienced wings in Jaxson Douglas, MaeOla Willis and Mikayla Dyson. Douglas appeared in 16 games last season, scoring 20 points while knocking down six threes. Willis pulled down 14 rebounds in her 14 games last year, adding five assists and five steals, while Dyson scored 19 points in 12 games, knocking down five threes and handing out five assists.

"Peyton has an infectious personality and a will to win that is unmatched," Hancock says. "She is willing to do whatever it takes for us to win. She is not afraid to put her body on the line to get loose balls or take charges. She drives to the basket without fear. Peyton has a knack for getting to the rim, finishing and getting fouled. She is the glue that holds us together."

"Madison gives us great size on the perimeter and the ability to take advantage of mismatches," Hancock says. "Her main strength is shooting from behind the three-point line. She gets the ball off quickly and is always ready to shoot. I have been impressed with her off-ball defense. She is a true team defender."
 
"Jaxson has made great strides and has played well in the preseason," Hancock says. "She has improved her defense and is looking to shoot more when she is open. Her size can be a factor for us on the perimeter."
 
"MaeOla is in the best shape of her career," Hancock says. "She has worked on her shooting and finishing around the basket. Her ability to put pressure on the ball makes everyone else's job easier on defense."
 
"Mikayla can play in the post or on the wing," Hancock says. "She has worked hard to put herself in position to compete for playing time. She is much more comfortable out on the court this year. She has a high IQ, sees the floor well and can put the ball in the basket. Her versatility is an asset."
 
POSTS
 
The post is another position with solid, experienced depth, along with a newcomer mixed in. Troutman led the 'Dogs with 13.8 points per game last season, adding 8.2 rebounds per contest while shooting 47 percent from the field to earn first team All-SAC honors. Brandon contributed 12.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per game to pick up honorable mention all-conference accolades, shooting 36 percent from three-point range. The duo combined for 15 double-doubles last season. Ilene Hurley started seven games for the Bulldogs last season, contributing 34 points and 27 rebounds. A key newcomer to the post position is Drexel University transfer AJ Davis.

"Haleigh is one of the toughest competitors I have coached," Hancock says. "She loves the game and plays all out every time she steps on the court. She has the ability to shoot the three or play with her back to the basket. Her will to win and be the best is a separator for us."

"Bryanna's size and athleticism make her a tough player to guard in our league," Hancock says. "She can do a little bit of everything. She is bigger than most guards and quicker than most posts. Her rebounding and finishing around the basket are critical for our success."
 
"AJ is a force in the paint," Hancock says. "She is tough to get around when she is posting up. She can finish around the basket or step out and make a jumper. She gives us depth and a different look in the post from what we have had in the past. She sees the floor well and is willing to pass out when someone else has a better opportunity."
 
"Ilene gives us depth at the center position," Hancock says. "She has worked hard on finishing around the basket without putting the ball on the floor. She can also step out and make a jump shot."

SCHEDULE

After the season-opening tournament this weekend in Pembroke, the 'Dogs hit the road for SAC play next Wednesday, traveling to Hickory to take on Lenoir-Rhyne. Wingate's first home game is Saturday, Nov. 20, hosting LMU at 2 p.m. The Bulldogs will play four of their five games in December inside Cuddy Arena, hosting Limestone, Augusta, Queens and Tusculum the first 20 days of the month. The regular season concludes Feb. 26 with a trip to Queens. The SAC Tournament starts March 2, with the semifinals and finals slated for March 5 and 6 at Timmons Arena on the Campus of Furman University.