Two years ago, Syracuse’s starting center was senior Kayla Alexander. Last year, it was senior Shakeya Leary. This year though, the Orange has a much younger rotation at center.

“I think when you have three players that can play minutes for you at that spot, it’s a luxury,” Syracuse head coach Quentin Hillsman said.

SU’s group of centers is highlighted by sophomore Briana Day, and supported by her twin Bria and freshman Amber Witherspoon. The trio has split time at the position through three games this season and will continue to do so when No. 23 SU (3-0) takes on Jacksonville (0-2) at Swisher Gymnasium in Jacksonville, Florida at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Including walk-on Michelle van Dyke, the Orange has four players that are at least 6 feet, 4 inches tall. Duke is the only other team in the Atlantic Coast Conference with more 6-foot-4 players on its roster with five.

Though Syracuse doesn’t have an established center like it’s had the past two seasons, Hillsman described the situation as leadership by committee.

Briana Day started the Orange’s season opener against Fordham, but only played four first-half minutes. She played 15 minutes in the second half, but Hillsman’s use of Bria Day and Witherspoon early on showed he trusts them to contribute.

In the Orange’s 90-84 win over Duquesne on Wednesday night, Briana Day scored 22 points and pulled down 19 rebounds.

“We just work together and help each other,” Briana Day said. “If we’re not doing something, someone has to come in and pick it up.”

As a freshman, Briana Day played in every game, but didn’t make a single start. She led the conference’s bench players in rebounds and blocks, averaging 5.8 rebounds per game and 1.2 blocks per game.

Following Leary’s graduation, she has to fill the starting center role as a sophomore.

“I definitely have a lot of responsibility, but I don’t think it’s too much to handle because we have great other players to step in as well,” Briana Day said.

When players go out for team dinners — so far this year at restaurants including Prime Steakhouse and The Cheesecake Factory — the centers hang out with each other. Their height naturally draws them together, which creates even better chemistry on the court, Briana Day said.

Witherspoon said she had to relearn how to communicate with people, how to play basketball and how to live on her own throughout the preseason.

But the Days helped her adjust to the new environment. On Sunday, in her first collegiate game, Witherspoon was overwhelmed early on.

Once again, the Day sisters eased her emotions.

“I don’t think I could have got through (the transition to college) without them,” Witherspoon said. “Bria is like my little mini-coach on the sideline. She’s always making sure I know what’s going on.”

Though the Orange’s centers are young, they have opportunities to step up as the season evolves.

With the high-tempo style that Hillsman wants to play, having three serviceable centers gives him options. Against Fordham, Hillsman made 31 first-half substitutions as his team defended in a full-court press and attacked in transition.

“It helps us because we can get breaks,” Bria Day said. “Since we play so fast we won’t get tired. It helps us get a fresh pair of legs every time we go in.”

Published on November 20, 2014 at 12:12 am

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