Saints head coach Chanda Stebbins is wasting little time finding out just how good her 2019/2020 Saints squad will be with two games in Americus GA this weekend.

On Friday, the Saints will face the three-time defending Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) champion South Georgia Tech. Lady Jets who are the three-time GCAA regular season champions, three-time NJCAA Region 17 tournament winners, and have been to the NJCAA National Tournament for the last three seasons.

"We are excited to open up with So. Georgia Tech who has been to the National Tournament each of the last three years," said Stebbins. "Coach Frey runs a great program and I am sure it will be a competitive game."

Saturday the Saints will take on Central Georgia Tech on Saturday and will host Elite Sports in their home opener next Wednesday with the tipoff scheduled for 6 pm.

"We look forward to opening up at home on Wednesday and getting to see our fans again after the long off-season break," said Stebbins.

The Saints are coming off a strong 2018/19 season when they posted a 20-8 overall record and won the Mid-Florida Conference Championship for the second time over the past three years. MFC play won't begin until January, but the schedule Coach Stebbins has set should prepare the Saints for the challenge of defending their crown.

"While we are in the pre-conference season to start November and December it will give us a great gauge for how our team will do in January and February," said Stebbins.

The Saints return four players from last year's team including leading rebounder Chardell Jones and guard Danasia Bogle both of whom were all MFC selections while Bogle was on the NJCAA Academic Team. Among newcomers

Trenton High School standout Taniah Bowers is expected make an impact.

Bowers averaged 14.5 ppg., and 7.2 assists while leading the Tigers to the Class 1A state title in Lakeland. Bowers was named The Sun's Player of the Year and the Florida Dairy Farmers Class 1A Player of the Year.

Stebbins feels that to win consistently the team will need to balance the inside game with perimeter play on both ends of the court.

"So far I like our post presence and rebounding abilities.  This team shows a lot of competitiveness in practice and I know it will be reflected in their efforts on game days," said Stebbins. "I think the fans will really enjoy how hard these kids play defense and the easy points they generate via their defense."

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