Guards stepping up for women's basketball team as they head to postseason

The Eastern Florida State College women's basketball team is back in the FCSAA State Tournament for the second straight season.

The Titans head into the postseason with a versatile group of guards who have become tough on opposing teams.

"They have made a huge impact on our team this year, they have come in and really stepped up as freshmen," Eastern Florida State College women's basketball coach MJ Baker said.

Skye Williams is the point guard and come up big for the Titans, averaging 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists this season. The Indianapolis guard was recently named all-Suncoast Conference first team as well as to the all-State team.

Jacquelyn Levay has come on strong in the second half of the season, scoring at least 10 points in each of the past eight games. Overall the freshman from Tampa is averaging 12.4 points per game and was a second team all-Suncoast Conference selection.

Mercy Gonzalez has started 17 games this season and the Miami freshman adds toughness and energy to the team.

"We were really focused on bringing in versatile, talented players. It has taken us a little while to figure out how to grow because they can all shoot, pass and score," Baker said. "That IQ and decision making is something we have been working on all season. But they are getting it and it has been fun to see the fruits from all the work in the preseason."

Add in sophomore Angeni Worley who has picked up where she left off as a freshman and become the team's leading 3-point shooter, hitting 38 percent of her shots and the Titans become a very dangerous team to face in the postseason.

"I feel good about our dynamic, it's just getting us to play consistent and well. We haven't done that all year so hopefully in this new season we are able to put everything together," Baker said.

The Titans will open the state tournament on Wednesday night in Ocala against the Mid-Florida Conference champion Santa Fe. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at the gate for $10 for adults and $6 for students.