Lady Dawgs Take on Rust College for GCAC Championship
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – This season has been historic for the Fisk University Lady Bulldogs (20-8). Today, they will attempt to do what no other Fisk program has done, win a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference championship. It won't be easy as the third-seeded Lady Bulldogs will take on top-seeded Rust College (27-3), a team that has won the title three straight years (2 p.m. HBCU+).
Both teams have punched their ticket to the NAIA postseason tournament but have a lot to play for. For Rust, it would be a sign of continuance of GCAC dominance but for Fisk, it would be them winning a conference championship for the first time since 1986.
"This is great for the university and our supporters as a whole," said Fisk Head Coach Victoria Crawford. "We set some goals before the season started to make it to the tournament. Making it is big but winning a conference title would be a great accomplishment. We have a lot of respect for Rust and what they have accomplished. We want to start that winning culture here at Fisk."
Rust has won both games this season including just eight days ago at home. In the game, they held GCAC Player of the Year with no field goals made.
The WMG "Pick 2 Click" is Maya Buckhanon. Buckhanon had only seven points against Rust on February 24. Look for her to be more aggressive against Rust's sagging defense.
Game 24: Fisk University (20-8) vs. Rust College (27-3)
Date/Time: Sunday, March 3 | 2:00 p.m. (CST)
Watch: HBCU Plus
Location: Stillman College, Birthright Hall
Crawford Charisma
Head coach Victoria Crawford has gained a lot of ground in the community after only being in Nashville for a little over a year. She put on a fundraising golf tournament this summer that was well attended. Crawford has crossed with some of the Who's Who of the Nashville scene, including Johari Matthews of the Tennessee Titans, politicians like Deputy Mayor Brenda Haywood, State Representative Dr. Harold Love, and Criminal Court Clerk Howard Gentry. When she arrived to play at the University of Memphis, she followed Nashville Judge Rachel Bell there.
Maya's Many Accolades
Maya Buckhanon returns this season after being named to the NAIA All-American Second Team. Buckhanon was just named for the second straight season the GCAC Most Valuable and Defensive Player of the Year. So far this season, she has been named the GCAC Player of the Week eight times, the TSWA Player of the Week three, and she was voted as the NAIA National Player of the Week twice.
Hanging With Coach Cooper
Fisk Assistant Coach Anthony Cooper was named the GCAC Assistant Coach of the Year for the second straight year. Cooper is one of the hottest prospects around the country for a head coaching job.
Bibbs' Big Year
Jayla Bibbs had a banner first year at Fisk. She was named GCAC Newcomer of the Week two times. She also earned All GCAC Second Team, and Defensive Team honors. She ended the year second in steals (2.9 a game) and third in rebounds (9.5 a game).
Eliotti Excels
Junior Laila Eliotti has represented Fisk well on and off the court. The Computer Science major spent part of her last two summers in Seattle, Washington, interning with the Meta University Software Engineering Academy and Zillow.
Zip, Fast and in a Hurry
Senior Zipporah Davis is the lone returner named to the GCAC all-preseason team. She is ranked second in returner scorers on the team at 9.3 ppg. Her quickness on the defensive end will also be depended upon for the Lady Bulldog's success this season.
The Young and The Relentless
Off the court, junior power forward A'Niya Young's smile will light up any room. On the court, her competitive nature is a vast difference from the caring sweet young lady that loves to babysit Crawford's daughter Londyn and loves all kids in general. That tough demeanor might come from her father's side of the family, where she is the only girl and out of six children.
Her older brother Javonta Payton played wide receiver at the University of Tennessee and was in camp with the Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles. Twin brothers Marek and Mykkell Smith-Banks currently play football, track & field, and wrestle at Bluefield University. and two other brothers, McKinley Young III and McKai Young. She also has two sisters on her mother's side Armani and Alysia Knight,
Young's athletic pedigree is rich as her father McKinley Young Jr. and mother April Johnson both played basketball at Fisk. She wears the number 32 that her mother wore. Young's grandfather McKinley Young Sr. is a former basketball and baseball coach at Fisk, and he is a Hall of Famer at Miles College.
Old Faces, Same Spaces
Some old faces are back on the court for Fisk. After taking a year off, junior post player De'Lesia Scott and classmate power forward Mya Robinson are back in uniform. They, along with A'Niya Young and Eliotti, were part of the Notorious Nine recruiting class of 2021.
Something New
Freshmen Janiesse Armstrong and Jordyn Bailey filled in nicely in their collegiate season. They both showed great court awareness and presence from the point guard position.
Something Borrowed
Bibbs and Gibbs' names not only rhyme, but when they are on the court together, they have rhythm. Both players won GCAC Newcomer of the Week honors, with Bibbs, a transfer from Fort Scott Community College, winning twice.
Gibbs, who has been nursing injuries for most of the season, came to Nashville from Austin Peay State University. Fisk also picked up guard Courtney Lumpkins who transferred mid-season.