October 29, 2014

Watch the games Live at www.ihigh.com/santafesaints

Gainesville, FL – The Santa Fe men and women both get their season underway on October 31 with Coach Chris Mowry and the men starting things off against Impact Academy at 4:00 PM, and the women following against IMG Academy at 6:00 PM.  The Saints have dubbed opening night "Dunkoween" and there will be a tailgate before the games starting at 2:00 PM in front of the gym, as well as costume contests for SF students, children, and adults, with prizes for each category that include Amazon Kindles, Toys R' Us gift cards, and nights at the Best Western Gateway Grand.

The SF men return two players from last year's team, including guard Morris Marshall, who led the team in scoring with 13.2 points per game during Mid-Florida Conference play a year ago.  The other returner is 6'8" post Andre Horne, a player Mowry will rely on heavily at the defensive end.

"We are excited to be opening up this Friday," said Mowry.  "Everyone has been working hard in practice to prepare for a successful season.  Our two returning starters, Morris Marshall and Andre Horne, will be mixed with eleven newcomers.  They are joined by two players who red-shirted for us last year, Michael Sanchez and Kevin O'Brien.  We are looking for strong contributions from transfers Allen Baez, Jaquel Taft, and Brandon Williams."

Joining the transfers and returning players are six freshman that will be counted upon to make an immediate impact.

"Freshman Vosean Crumbie will contribute right away in the backcourt," said Mowry.  "Adding depth and competing for playing time are Jordan Benjamin, Ty Birts, Nikola Delic, Sam Guerrier, and Conor Westall."

Santa Fe will open with Impact Academy on Friday, and Victory Rock Academy on Saturday at noon, and will play a tough schedule leading up to conference play in January. 

"Our non-conference schedule will again feature many of the top teams in the state

including Chipola, St. Pete, Polk State, and Miami-Dade, all who played in the State Tournament last year," Mowry said.  "The Mid-Florida Conference will again be extremely competitive, as we try to earn a trip to the State Tourney in 2015.  We are excited for the opportunity to continue to improve and develop our team

every day.  We will be fun to watch, and hope our students and fans will enjoy

coming out to see us play."

The Santa Fe women return five players from last year's State Tournament and WBCA Top Ten Academic team, and welcome three NCAA Division I transfers along with a talented group of freshman.  Also joining the coaching staff is former Saint Janay McCray.

"I am excited to see this group mesh together on the court," said Stebbins.  "We have some solid newcomers in former Gainesville High School stars Deja McPhee and Kayla Lovett along with the addition of Karrah Johnson another D1 transfer."

The five returners joining the transfers are guards Briana Maxwell, Denae James, and Khadijah Howell, and posts Tatiana Manuel and Litisha Speights, a group that gained experience a season ago playing one of the toughest schedules in the country in route to a State Tournament berth.

The Saints boast four players 6'0" or taller, but will blend that size with athleticism, allowing them to get up and down the floor, or slow it down depending on the matchup and situation.  Regardless, Coach Stebbins believes that the team is going to play hard, night in and night out.

"I think the thing that will stand out to our fans will be how hard we play," said Stebbins.  "It helps that we have a lot of players with a sophomore level experience who really know what it takes to compete at a high level.  I am excited to see our freshmen really continue to improve, they seem to be the spark we need at all the right times.  The players who are returning from last year's roster bring a lot of Santa Fe pride with them in how we as a program want to handle ourselves in the classroom, how we want to compete on the floor and how we like to be known in our community as contributors to making difference."

SF will face a stiff test on opening night against IMG Academy, a team that fields two Baylor University commits, and a 6'8" post, something that will help the Saints prepare for their tough schedule ahead.

To watch Coach Stebbins on Saints Coach's Corner, click here.

On Saturday, both teams will continue play in the Tip-Off Classic, with the men hosting Victory Rock Academy at noon, and the women hosting Miami Dade College at 2:00 PM.

For a full schedule, please visit www.santafesaints.com.  To watch live Saints games, visit www.ihigh.com/santafesaints

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