Due West, S.C. – There is a changing of the guard for the Erskine Women’s Basketball Team. With the graduation of Erskine’s two leading scorers in point guard Porsha Morgan, last year’s conference player of the year and 4-time all-conference honoree, and forward Elizabeth Tatum, Head Coach Russ Gregg recruited ten new players, nine freshmen and one transfer, to fill their departures.

With this recruiting class, Coach Gregg added depth and athleticism at every position.  Freshman Tyndell Mendenhall (Newberry, SC, Newberry High School), a 6’3 center, was ranked a “3-star” recruit by ESPN HoopGurlz and has the potential to be a scoring and rebounding force inside.  Mendenhall is joined by Jordan Whiteside (Gastonia, NC, Gaston Day School) in the post, but who also has the shooting touch to step outside to stretch defenses. Morgan Alexander (Mauldin, SC, Mauldin High School), a forward, is a gifted passer and can hit the outside shot.  Megan Marrah (Travelers Rest, SC, Travelers Rest High School) is another talented athletic forward who rebounds well and can hit the outsider jumper.

On the perimeter, Haleigh Spaulding (Ocala, FL), the lone incoming transfer from Colorado Christian College, brings much needed college game experience at both guard positions.  In addition, freshman guardTori Whittenberg (Mauldin, SC, Mauldin High School), teammate of Alexander’s in high school, has the skills, size, and athleticism to be another legendary point guard for the Flying Fleet while Chelsea Frazier (Dillon, SC, Dillon High School) is very athletic and possesses a scorer’s mentality, having scored over 2,500 points in her high school career. 

Erskine does return several promising young players from last year’s squad.  Erskine returns to experienced post players in junior Jana Dixon (Conyers, GA, Heritage High School) and sophomore Tara Potter (Sherrills Ford, NC, Bandys High School).  Last year Dixon averaged a conference-leading 9.4 rebounds per game and led the team in field goal percentage while Potter, who was slowed by injury early in the season, finished on a positive note, averaging 7.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game over her last seven games. 

In addition, senior guard Sha'Niqua Whitley (Columbia, SC, Ridge View High School) returns for her second year in the program after transferring from Spartanburg Methodist Junior College last year.  Whitley was second on the team in steals while averaging seven points per game.  She is capable of playing both guard positions providing Coach Gregg with additional versatility and experience in the back court.  Andrienne Bannerman (Watha, NC, Pender High School) also returns for the Fleet.  An athletic forward, who started 8 games for the Fleet last year, penetrates and runs the floor well.  With a year of experience, she is poised to take the next step.

Although a young team, Erskine hopes to surprise some teams with their talent and depth.  Erskine was voted to finish 9^th in the recent Conference Carolinas Pre-season Coaches’ Poll.

The Fleet open their season on the road against Lincoln Memorial University on Friday, November 9^th.   The home opener is on Tuesday, November 27^th against conference rival Queens University.

Erskine Roster

Erskine Schedule