John Tyler's presence inside last season helped the school garner a top 10 ranking in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches' 5A poll, a share of the District 16-5A title with a similarly highly ranked Lufkin squad and a second-round trip into the playoffs.

Not much should change since the primary two Lady Lions forwards will return this fall. However, this go-around, college names are attached.

Senior small forward and occasional guard Alyssa Mayfield verbally committed to Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday, two days removed from junior forward Destini Whitehead earning her first offer from North Texas. Mayfield, who finished last season listed as 5-foot-10, announced her pledge to the Ladyjacks program through her personal Twitter account.

Mayfield averaged 15.2 points as a junior through the regular season in John Tyler's promising run toward the playoffs. Her year ended with a three-point loss to Mansfield Legacy in the 5A area round of the state playoffs, a moderate upset.

John Tyler head coach Mike Smith announced his retirement shortly after the season ended after 39 years in the business. Mayfield and company helped him reach the last of 503 career wins as Lindale's boys head coach, Lindale's girls head coach and John Tyler's girls head coach.

New coach Carlesa Dixon will work with Mayfield this season. Dixon led Dallas Lincoln to a 4A regional championship game appearance last season and also guided her former program to the 4A state championship game in 2013.

John Tyler will jump from 5A to 6A -- the highest level of University Interscholastic League competition -- this upcoming season as result of an enlarging student population.

Stephen F. Austin posted an 18-12 record last season under first-year coach Mark Kellogg. Its campaign ended in the opening round of the Southland Conference Tournament.

The Ladyjacks program has been to 18 NCAA Tournaments through its 43 seasons of competition toward an all-time record of 952-416. It additionally has reached the WNIT four times.

Mayfield, like all high school basketball prospects nationally, will become eligible to sign with any program that offers her in November.

2017 East Texas Girls Basketball Players With Division I Offers

  • Alyssa Mayfield, John Tyler, F, 5-10 — committed to Stephen F. Austin (1)

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