Coach Tomekia Reed And The Lady Tigers Are Ready To Reclaim The SWAC Championship And A Bid To The NCAA Tournament

HOUSTON — "March matters. Nothing else matters, but March," Coach Tomekia Reed told HBCU Legends after vanquishing Texas Southern 101-51 in Houston. As the 2024 Starry SWAC Basketball Tournament opens today in Birmingham, Alabama, the dominant Jackson State University (23-6, 18-0 SWAC) team is again the favorites as the No.1 seed.

Coach Reed and her Lady Tigers will tip off at the tournament against No. 8 Prairie View at 5:30 PM in Birmingham, Alabama. The team trailed 50-59 in the third quarter to Lady Panthers before defeating them 75-65 on March 4. The Lady Panthers are a dangerous team, but Reed won't take them lightly and have a repeat of last season's collapse to Southern in the semifinals.

"I became complacent," Reed told HBCU Legends this offseason. They became complacent. Going into this next year, I've been so rejuvenated, and I just want to improve my energy and be extremely happy for the place that God has me in."

Reed and JSU brought a "rejuvenated" spirit into this season and hopefully into the 2024 SWAC Tournament.

Two seasons ago, Jackson State went undefeated in the regular season and won the tourney. Millions watched the Lady Tigers almost land an upset against LSU in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. In many ways, the 2023-24 team may be better prepared to have another run to the NCAA tournament in Cleveland.

"You have to be resilient. You have to be tough. You have to get through it," Reed remarked.

Jackson State posted a great season and earned several postseason conference honors. The SWAC awarded Angel Jackson Defensive Player of the Year, and Coach Tomekia Reed was named Coach of the Year. All-SWAC honors went to Miya Crump and Ti'lan Boler for the First Team, and Angel Jackson gained Second Team recognition.

Well, it's March. It's win or go home.

Reed knows the task will be difficult, saying, "Well, everybody plays us hard. Everybody plays us good. We just have to be ready, have a game plan in place, and be ready to make adjustments."

Did the Lady Tigers learn from last year's tough losses? And, are they ready to avoid another collapse in a highly competitive SWAC tournament?

We shall see.

Published Mar 13, 2024

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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