The first time the freshmen worked out against the returnees, the newcomer came out on top on the scoreboard. That may bode well in the 2019-20 season for the Lady Huskies, who are coming off a 9-19 campaign.

It’s a well-rounded group of five freshmen, consisting of a point guard, two wings and two post players. Huskies coach Donna Finnie is calling this freshman class the most talented incoming group she has assembled in her seventh season at the Southland Conference school.

Add the freshmen with junior college transfer Patience Idoko joining a solid core of eight returnees, that include junior point guard Megan Valdez-Crader and 6-3 rising sophomore Marilyn Nzoiwu, and there’s reason for optimism at HBU, which shared last place in the conference in 2018-19.

In the past two seasons, the Huskies were hit with injuries, at times not having enough healthy bodies to practice fully. That won’t be a problem this season.

Valdez-Crader is the Huskies’ most experienced player. She made 25 starts last season and 19 her freshman year. She stepped into a prominent role in 2018-19 as the team’s second-leading scorer (10.4) to Amanda Johnson (13.5) and leader in assists. Valdez-Crader is one of three point guards who should see time on the court. 

Backing up Valdez-Crader is 5-foot-4 senior Takara Wade. Freshman Kennedy Wilson, one of three freshmen from Mansfield Timberview, is expected to contribute this season.

“She (Wilson) has the potential to be an incredible (floor) leader for this program,” Finnie said. “She has a skill set that’s going to allow her to do really well in the Southland Conference.”

The other freshmen from Mansfield Timberview are 5-foot-9 guard Timia Jefferson and 6-foot forward N’Denasija Collins. Jefferson’s strength is getting to the basket. Finnie feels a player that has a chance to be special is Collins, who can play inside and out and has a nice 3-point stroke.

“When she (Collins) verballed to us, I had a lot of coaches texting me saying, ‘You guys got her, are you serious?’ She’s really good,” Finnie said. “Of the freshmen, she’s the most ready.”

The tallest player on the squad is 6-foot-4 freshman center Abbey Sutherland from Australia.

“The biggest steal we’ve had. I’ve been blown away by her,” Finnie said. “She does things that our senior post is still trying to do.”

A good shooter with good defensive timing, Nzoiwu is expected to make a leap. And she will be tutored by Anna Strickland, who is on staff this season. In 2015-16 as a player at HBU, Strickland led all NCAA Division players with 14.2 rebounds per game.

“She has the athletic ability and the talent to do what she wants,” Finnie said.

Adding maturity to the team is Idoko, a 5-foot-11 junior forward from Nigeria by way of Kilgore Junior College. Idoko is extremely athletic, rebounds well and excels from the high post. 

Sydney Carr, who missed last season with an injury, made 16 starts at guard the year before.

Preseason MVP: Marilyn Nzoiwu
A breakout is expected from the 6-3 sophomore center, who came on strong the final five games last season, a year she averaged 5.2 rebounds and 4.2 points.

Game of the Year: SFA at HBU, Dec. 18
Not only is it the Huskies’ conference opener, it’s also against a team that finished second in the SLC regular season.

Impact first-year player:
Abbey Sutherland