LAKELAND, Fla. - The Fire women's basketball team is off to its best start since joining the NAIA. Southeastern holds a 7-0 record and aims to add to that number with a pair of wins in their upcoming Sun Conference matchups against Warner University and Keiser University. The Fire's chemistry on the court is just one of the many aspects that aides in the team's success.
Game 8: Southeastern University (7-0, The Sun Conference 2-0) vs. Warner University (5-4, The Sun Conference 1-1)
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Game 9: Southeastern University (7-0, The Sun Conference 2-0) at Keiser University (6-3, The Sun Conference 2-0)
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The Three Point Threat: The Fire are deadly from beyond the arc. As a collective group the Fire rank 4th in all of the NAIA in 3-Pt Fg made per game and 5th in 3-Pt Fg percentage. Bailey Hooker has played a big part in both of these categories. Hooker, who just recently scored her 1,000 career point and was named the Sun Conference Player of the Week for the third week in a row, leads the Fire averaging 16.9 points per game. The senior prepped at Steinbrenner High School has converted 66 of her 118 points from the three point line.
The backcourt containing Hooker and Alyssa Ramos is a combination that opponents have a tough time stopping. With Ramos' 21 three pointers made comes her team leading 33 assists. The Carlsbad, California native is also a force to be reckoned with on the defensive side of the ball. Ramos has recorded a team leading 13 steals.
The Fire are home to the Sun Conference's Leader in blocks. Sarah Green has sent back 17 shots and ranks second in all of the NAIA in blocks per game (2.4).
Coach Tim Hays leads a talented group of women that can generate points as well as stop teams on defense. The Fire are outscoring opponents by an impressive 610-408 and seek to keep rewriting history.
The Cross County Rival: The Warner Royals are coming off of a nail biting 4OT win over Florida College. On the season, the Royals hold a 3-1 road record. The Royals are headed by coach John Dunlap in his first year at the helm. Over the course of the season, opponents have outscored the Royals 522-513, however, the team still holds a winning record.
Leading the way for the Royals is the sophomore from Orlando, Florida Kaley Schmick. Shamick leads the team in three statistical categories, points, rebounds, and blocks. The guard averages 11.8 points per game, has collected 57 rebounds, and has denied three shots. Schmick also contributes to the Royals 21st ranking in all of the NAIA in steals. She is tied for the team lead with Charisa Broadway with 19 steals a piece.
The Royals facilitator comes in the form of Cierra Wilson. A junior from Baltimore, Maryland, Wilson leads the team with 27 assists and is shooting 42% from the three point line.
The Seahawks: Currently undefeated in conference play, the Seahawks enter the contest against the Fire after a win against Governors State University.
Leading the offensive charge for the Seahawks in the senior Kaylee Patton. The Waynesfield, Ohio native averages 16.4 points per game. Patton has also recorded 26 rebounds and 16 assists.
As a whole, the Seahawks dominate the glass. The Seahawks have out-rebounded opponents 429 to 324. Dominique Winbush plays a big role with her 82 rebounds. Winbush ranks 6th in all of the NAIA in offensive rebounds per game. Along with her rebounds comes Winbush's 9.5 points per game. The Lake Worth, Florida Native has tallied 13 blocks and 17 steals as well.
What makes the matchup between the Fire and the Seahawks so intriguing is the fact that the Seahawks rank 3rd in all of the NAIA in 3-Pt Fg percentage defense. The Seahawks look to thwart a high powered Fire offensive that is automatic from beyond the arc.
The Sun Conference: The two 2-0 teams in the Sun conference will battle one another on Saturday, December 3rd. Both Keiser and Southeastern have met in the past. Currently, the series rests at 1-1, but the Fire are operating flawlessly. Southeastern has had success against Warner in past Sun Conference matchups winning both meetings last season. The Fire will take the momentum gained from competing in "The Show" into the Furnace on Thursday against Warner University.
For updates on the action, follow @SEUFireWBB on Twitter.
