Celebrating The Seniors
February 17, 2023 | Women's Basketball
Five Bulldogs set to be honored ahead of Sunday’s game against Alabama.
STARKVILLE – After a busy season on and off the court, Mississippi State is a few weeks away from wrapping up another chapter in its long storybook of success.
Countless tales could fill the pages of this season. New players have stepped into new roles. There was the huge double-overtime win against Tennessee. There've been many accomplishments during Sam Purcell's first year as the program's head coach.
For five seniors, there are only a few stories left to write as they finish out their collegiate careers. Jessika Carter, Anastasia Hayes, Asianae Johnson, Ahlana Smith and Kourtney Weber will each be honored during a Senior Day celebration at Humphrey Coliseum on Sunday evening as the Bulldogs face off against Alabama.
Each of the five comes from very different places, but they've all met in the Maroon and White for one goal: to shock the world and have fun along the way.
Carter is the only honored senior that has spent her entire college career with Mississippi State. The center out of Harris County High School in Waverly Hall, Georgia, has been a game-changing force for the team, averaging 14.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game with eight double-doubles on the year. Even when the going gets tough, Carter said that the fans have played a huge role in her success.
"They're always there, picking me up and encouraging me to keep going," Carter said.
Hayes, another fan-favorite, also credited the Bulldogs' most loyal supporters as heavily influencing her game.
"They're the reason why I play so hard," Hayes said. "They've been there for us through thick and thin and always supported us."
Hayes transferred to Mississippi State from Middle Tennessee State ahead of the 2021-2022 season and instantly won over the hearts of the MSU faithful. She does a little bit of everything for her team, making big plays all across the court when it matters most. Hayes also has a unique opportunity that few other student-athletes get to have: playing on the same team as her sisters, Aislynn and Alasia.
"It's like always having your family, your best friends always with you," Hayes said. "It's just a great feeling to have and, you know, it's just a blessing to get to experience playing with both of your sisters."
Although Hayes has sisters by blood on the team, the squad as a whole is like a big family. As Carter said, their close bonds go far beyond the walls of Humphrey Coliseum.
"They're like sisters," Carter said. "I know after the basketball is done, I can always call them and check in."
Johnson, Smith and Weber are the newest additions to Mississippi State, each coming from other programs to play for the Bulldogs for one final season.
Weber came to Starkville as a graduate transfer fresh off of a tenured career at Florida State. She serves as Mississippi State's team captain and brings both on-court contributions and a sense of leadership to a program that has seen many changes over the last few years. On top of this, Weber knows what must be done to make it to March Madness.
"I've been to the big games," Weber said. "I've been to the tournament, so [I'm] just trying to get everybody else acclimated to that and see the vision that this program is going towards."
As much as Weber has contributed to the program, she has benefitted just as much from the love that she has received.
"I think this program welcomed me with open arms," Weber said. "The fans are amazing, and it's just been a fun ride."
When Humphrey Coliseum fills with rowdy fans, it gets loud…very loud. The Bulldogs have seen solid crowds throughout the season that have come to life with each swished three-pointer or momentum-changing steal. For Johnson, each game feels like a brand new experience that she gets to be part of.
"Every time you step into the Hump, it's different every time you play," Johnson said.
Johnson is new to the SEC, transferring in the offseason from St. Bonaventure. She is one of the conference's top contributors off the bench, averaging 8.7 points per game and shooting 48.1 percent from the three-point line. Although she's had to learn to adjust to her new environment, Johnson has strived to accomplish the same goals.
"It's definitely a different experience, you know, being in the SEC, but everybody has the same job, the same determination as me, so we have to win," Johnson said.
Smith also transferred to the Bulldogs, opting to follow Purcell down from Louisville in hopes of taking a big step in the SEC. She's done just that, instantly establishing herself as a starting guard and fulfilling some big accomplishments that she set for herself ahead of the season.
"Going into this year, I had two words: grateful and intentional," Smith said. "I wanted to come out and leave with a bang, make sure that my name is ringing in people's ears and just making sure I leave an impact on Mississippi State."
These seniors have given their all during their time at MSU, and each still has more to write in their stories. The last few games will be bittersweet, but Smith sums it up in the best way.
"Every chapter has to end at some point," Smith said.
