MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Below are the Southern States Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Players to Watch for the 2025-26 season.
Each team selected one newcomer and one returner to feature. The SSAC Women’s Basketball Championship takes place Feb. 25-28 at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala.
Abraham Baldwin
Returner
Shakiria Chaney
JR, Forward, Tifton, Ga.
- Strong inside and outside
- Led the Fillies in every major offensive and defensive category, except assists
Newcomer
Melody Charlton
FR, Palmetto Ridge HS
- "Shooting ability beyond the 3-point line"
- To provide point guard support
Blue Mountain Christian
Returner
Maddie Kirk
JR, Guard, Selmer, Tenn.
-Maddie Kirk has been a difference maker in our program since day one. Her leadership and energy raise the level of our team each day. Her speed, ability to shoot the three, rebound and get out in transition make her a major threat in every aspect of the game.
Newcomer
Mookie Lampley
JR, G, Southwest MS CC
- Mookie Lampley is a quick, dynamic guard that can score from all three levels. She is an experienced guard that will provide instant scoring and will also bring tough defense to our team. She will be a solid rebounder at the guard spot and help us score in transition.
Brewton-Parker Christian
Returner
Chasity Degale
SO, Forward
- Named Freshman of the Year and Second-Team All-Conference after a standout first season.
- Averaged 13.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
- A versatile scorer who can score the ball from all three levels.
- Brings energy in the paint and consistency as an inside-out threat.
Newcomer
Ja’Ka’Yah Draughn
JR, Guard, Chattanooga State
- Lightning-quick point guard with elite court vision.
- A true floor general who can facilitate and create for teammates.
- Tenacious on-ball defender, a nightmare matchup for opposing guards.
- Brings energy on both ends of the floor
Faulkner
Returner
Morgan Holland DeWitt
SR, Wing
- Career awards: 2023 All-American Honorable Mention, 2023-24 & 2022-23 First Team All-SSAC, 2021-22 Second Team All-SSAC, 2020-21 SSAC All-Freshman Team, 3x SSAC WBB Player of the Week, 2022-23 SSAC Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, 2021-22 SSAC Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete Team, 2021-22 CoSIDA Academic All-District I Team
- Has started the last 70 games she has played as a Lady Eagle, has played in 114 career games for Faulkner and logged 3279 minutes (28.8 per game); returns for her sixth year after a season-ending injury in the first exhibition of 2025-26 two games into the season
- Has scored 1546 career points and 13.6 per game (539 field goals, 119 of them 3-pointers), 807 rebounds (206 offensive), 228 assists, 81 steals and 17 blocks; has shot .444 from the field for her career, including .321 from three as well as .702 from the free throw line
- Has scored third-most points, fourth-most rebounds (third-most defensive and fourth-most offensive), eighth-most threes, and holds ninth-best field goal percentage in program history
Newcomer
Brett Douglas
FR, Forward, Hazel Green HS
- Helped lead her Hazel Green Trojans squad to three Class 6A Women's Basketball State Championships in 2022-24 as part of seven consecutive won by the program, and a combined record of 129-14 throughout her four years (2021-25) with a perfect 28-0 in-region record
- Honors as a HS senior: played AAU for the AL Southern Starz 2025 Robinson Team; named to AHSAA Girls Basketball All-Star North team; earned 2025 Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 6A Girls Basketball All-State Honorable Mention
- Posted a perfect 4.0 HS GPA
Life
Returner
Aniyah Offutt
SO, Guard, Moreno Valley, Calif.
- Aniyah is a two-way player who makes noise on both ends of the floor. She played a vital role for us last season and has been continuing to elevate her game.
Newcomer
Madison Carey
SR, G/F, Bryan & Stratton College
- Madison Carey is a versatile high energy player who can stretch the floor. She to is a two-way player who has the ability to defend inside and out.
Loyola
Returner
Deniya Thornton
JR, G/F, New Roads, La.
- Deniya has put in a lot of work in the off season and continues to improve. She is such a special athlete and a great person, I know she is doing her best to lead our team on both ends of the floor and be a big part of our success. Her talent is undeniable!
Newcomer
Chandler Caver
FR, Hightower HS
- Chan is a tough and gritty guard, who has the ability to have a tremendous year. She experienced a lot of success in high school in a very competitive environment and she brings that same mentality to Loyola. She can score and distribute the ball and I look forward to being a part of her success.
Mobile
Returner
Mariona Pontnou
SR, Forward, Barcelona, Spain
- Returning from ACL injury
- 6.5 PPG; 1.0 Ast/G; Avg 4 Rebounds
Newcomer
Jada Johnson
SR, Forward, Shawnee State
- Averaged 18.2 MPG; 6.5 PPG at Shawnee State; Shooting 41% from the field; 32% from the 3 and 78% from the FT Line
- Scored 25 pt and 7 Rebounds against Campbellsville 2023 at Shawnee State
- Had 14 pts and 14 rebounds against Cumberlands in 2023 at Shawnee State
Point
Returner
Zaria Johnson
SR, Center, Montgomery, Ala.
- Zaria is a force in the post offensively and defensively
- She was 2nd in the nation last year in blocked shots.
- Zaria was 16th in the Nation last year in rebounds.
Newcomer
Azziza Flowers
FR, G/F, Statesboro HS
- Azziza is a force everywhere. With her competitive spirt she is a force on the court.
- Although young, Azziza is a hard worker and a great teammate. We are excited to see what she brings to the court this year.
Thomas
Returner
LaTarius Montgomery
SR, Center
- Montgomery brings size and athleticism to Thomas University women's basketball, adding depth to the frontcourt rotation. Over 13 games, she averaged a double-double with 11.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game, along with 1.7 blocks, showcasing her dominance on the glass and defensive impact.
Newcomer
Elicia Smith
FR, Guard, Jackson HS
- Smith joins Thomas University women's basketball following a strong senior season at Jackson High School. She averaged 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game during her senior season.
UT Southern
Returner
Ashley Dickey
SR, Guard, Baltimore, Md.
- Returning leading scorer in the conference
- Returning shooting guard
- Showing strong defensive improvement
Newcomer
Marypaz Martinez
JR, Guard, Nicholls State
- Plays for her National team - Costa Rica ????
- A true point forward type of player (Scottie Pippen)
William Carey
Returner
Shaneal Corpuz
JR, Forward, Biloxi HS
- Shaneal returns as our statistical leader, having averaged 15 points and 9 rebounds per game last season. She is a well-rounded player who makes a strong impact on both ends of the floor. Defensively, she can guard positions 1 through 5 with physicality and effectiveness. Offensively, she dominates in the paint and confidently knocks down outside shots.
Newcomer
Alyssa Hillard
FR, G, Ponchatoula HS
- Alyssa has been a strong addition to our guard play, bringing good on the ball defense and the ability to knock down the midrange effectively. She is capable of creating her own shot when needed, adding versatility and depth to our backcourt.