The #17 SAU Tech Lady Rockets (14-2; 5-0 in region play) have turned into a well oiled machine. This is a team that continues to get better as the season progresses toward regional tournament play. Head coach Aramie Brooks has created a team that is not fixated on one player, but rather an impressive collection of playmakers.
Among the new additions to the Lady Rockets this season that are finding their rhythm as the season progresses is freshman guard Jaida Minter. That is evident by the dominant set of performances she had last week. Minter was the team's leading scorer in the Lady Rockets' 107-32 road victory over the SouthArk Lady Stars with 22 points. Two days later in the 89-57 home win over Arkansas-Cossatot, Minter scored 19 points shooting 6-of-10 in field goals, 2-of-4 from the three-point arc, and 5-of-7 at the free-throw line. She was the most consistent scorer off the bench and the only player to score more than four coming off the bench.
Minter is third Lady Rocket this season to be named NJCAA Division II Region II player of the week. In the two wins, she averaged 20.5 points per game shooting a field goal of 66.6%, a three-point shooting of 72.7%, and a free-throw line of 75%. Minter has scored at-least 19 points this season three times with the previous time being 21 points in the 74-60 win over Northwest Mississippi on Nov. 17. She joins sophomore guards Sh'Diamond McKnight and Jaylia Reed as the others for SAU Tech who have named regional player of the week.
The Lady Rockets have some high-volume and dynamic playmakers with McKnight, Reed and Jada Burrell. Minter finding her rhythm only adds to the incredible arsenal that the Lady Rockets will utilize as the regular season draws to a conclusion going into tournament play.
SAU Tech will have six more regular season games left until the regional tournament. The Lady Rockets are set to host the North Arkansas Lady Pioneers (11-8; 3-2) this Saturday, Feb. 4. The last time the two teams met on the court, the Lady Rockets came away with a 57-56 win on the road. Reed scored a team-high 27 points shooting 11-of-21 in field goal while also accounting for 10 rebounds and three steals. SAU Tech barely survived a nearly disastrous fourth quarter as they were outscored by North Arkansas 19-8.