Be U Mentality Leads Ladyjacks to Second Title Game in Three Years

Leonard Bishop brought a new mentality in his first year as SFA head coach, winning 22 games, and appearing in the WAC title game for the second time in three years.

Kurstyn Harden was a force in the paint for first-year head coach Leonard Bishop and the SFA Ladyjacks. Courtesy Western Athletic Conference.

Be U.

It is a simple statement. One often used by SFA first-year head coach Leonard Bishop.

It’s a little different than the ‘sustained success’ mantra Bishop’s predecessor and former boss Mark Kellogg used in leading the Ladyjacks to a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a conference title in SFA’s first year in the WAC in 2021-22.

Bishop’s opportunity to make his mark on the SFA program came in April after Mark Kellogg left Nacogdoches to take the job at West Virginia.

Kellogg’s departure was felt immediately, though. As, per the norm in college hoops, once a coach leaves, a lot of players tend to enter the transfer portal, as well.

Avery Brittingham, Zya Nugent, Angel Scott, and Jordan Harrison chose to leave Nacogdoches.

Harrison and Nugent followed Mark Kellogg to West Virginia.

Brittingham moved a few hours North to join UT Arlington. And Angel Scott ended up at Missouri State.

However, those who stayed went to work over the offseason, ready to show they can keep the program’s winning legacy alive.

Tyler McCliment-Call, Kurstyn Harden, Destini Lombard, Avery VanSickle, and Zoe Nelson are stuck it out with their former associate head coach.

Tyler McCliment-Call was one of a handful of players who decided to stay at SFA after Mark Kellogg left to take the job at West Virginia. Courtesy Western Athletic Conference.

McCliment-Call actually ran up and gave Bishop a hug when then-athletic director Ryan Ivey introduced Bishop to the remaining players.

And off the Ladyjacks went.