From Southern University athletics:
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- Southern Men’s Basketball team was selected to finish sixth in the 2019-20 Southwestern Athletic Conference Basketball Preseason poll conducted by the conference office and voted on by the league’s Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors.
The announcement was made Monday, October 21st.
Coach Sean Woods and his staff hit the road hard recruiting in the offseason and bringing in new Jaguars to fit his system. “My staff did a great job overhauling our program. The young men we were blessed to bring in or not only talented basketball players but some great young men that have a championship pedigree to bring Southern Basketball back to a high level of competitiveness” Coach Woods talking about his recruiting class.
AHSANTE SHIVERS (6’4, 206 lbs, GUARD, JUNIOR, (SEAT PLEASANT, MD), SIENA TRANSFER)
A mid-season transfer, Shivers appeared in 65 games (36 starts) in two seasons with Siena, averaging 6.1 points and 3.2 rebounds over 21.5 minutes of action. During the 2017-2018 season, he played in all 32 games while making 21 starts, and averaged 8.3 points and 3.9 rebounds in 24.9 minutes while scoring in double figures 14 times and adding a pair of double-doubles. Had scoring highs of 19 points vs St. Bonaventure and 18 points vs. Canisius as a sophomore. Had two double’s his sophomore season (12 points and 12 rebounds at Marist, and 14 points and 10 rebounds vs. St Peter’s). During the 2016-2017 season, he played in 33 games starting 15 games and averaged 4.0 points and 2.5 rebounds a game.
KIRK PARKER (6’6, 235 lbs, CENTER, (VICKSBURG, MS), PEARL RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE)
Parker appeared in all 30 games for a Pearl River squad that finished 26-4 and won the Region 23 Regular Season and Tournament Championship advancing to the NJCAA Nation Tournament. Parker averaged 2.7 points and 5.4 RPG in his sophomore season. In the NJCAA National Tournament this past season, Parker had 8 points and 7 rebounds vs. Williston State in a first-round win and 9 points and 9 rebounds vs. Odessa in the second round. Had season highs of 13 points vs. Copiah Lincoln and 12 rebounds vs. Jones County. Parker averaged 6.0 points and 6.4 rebounds his freshman season on a 23-5 team.
SKYLER BAGGS (6’5, 200 lbs, FORWARD, (BRUNSWICK, GA), SOUTH GEORGIA STATE COLLEGE)
Baggs played and started in all 31 games at South Georgia State College this past season. Baggs averaged 14.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists over 33.7 minutes of action. Baggs was the fifth leading rebounder in the nation averaging 11.2 rebounds per game. In addition, Baggs was named to the GCAA second-team All-Region team and GCAA All-Defensive Team. His rebounding average was tops in the GCAA this season, and he led the other rebounding categories as well – offensive rebounds (143), defensive rebounds (194), and total rebounds (337). Baggs also finished in the top five in blocked shots with 32. He had 20 double-double games this season. He had season highs of 26 points vs Denmark Tech and 17 rebounds at Andrew.
DELOR JOHNSON (6’3, 185 lbs, GUARD, (CYPRESS, TX), CYPRESS RANCH HIGH SCHOOL)
Johnson senior season at Cypress Ranch High School, averaged 19.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per game in leading Cypress Ranch to a 14-6A District Championship. Johnson was named the District 14-6A Most Valuable Player this past season. Johnson was also named to the Class 6A-Region 2 team. Johnson scored over 1,100 points in his prep career. Johnson was also rated as one of the top players in the Houston area by RCSsports.com. Ranked among the state’s top 50 players according to TexasHoops.com. Averaged 15.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, his junior season and was also named to the 14-6A All-District team.
DAMIREE BURNS (6’6, 210 lbs, FORWARD, (NEW ORLEANS, LA), SOPHIE B WRIGHT HIGH SCHOOL)
Burns averaged 18.4 points and 13.6 rebounds in leading Sophie B. Wright High School to a 35-4 record and leading the Warriors to the state semifinals his senior season. Was named the NOLA.com All-Metro Player of the Year his senior season. Burns was named to the USA Today All Louisiana 1st Team, LSWA Class 3A All-State 1st Team, and LHSBCA All-State 1st Team. Burns was also named the District 9-3A Co MVP during his senior season. Burns averaged 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists his junior season leading the Warriors to a 33-6 record and state semifinals. Burns was named to the NOLA.com All-Metro 1st Team and LSWA Class 3A All-State 1st Team his junior season. Burns was rated one of the top 5 players in the state of Louisiana by PrepHoops.
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Prairie View A&M (161)
2. Texas Southern (156)
3. Grambling State (146)
4. Alabama State (140)
5. Jackson State (102)
6. Southern (99)
7. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (86)
8. Alabama A&M (68)
9. Alcorn State (46)
10. Mississippi Valley State (40)
Up Next
Southern will open the season this Friday, October 25 vs Wiley College at 5pm in the Mini Dome for an Exhibition game. The Jags will kick off the regular season at home on Wednesday, November 6th when they host Loyola (New Orleans) at 6:30 PM.
