Miles College cemented its place in conference history with a 59-52 win over Lane College and a third consecutive women’s SIAC basketball championship.
Before 2016, most of the real estate in the Golden Bears trophy case belonged to the football team. Golf (2016, 2024), baseball (2017), and men’s and women’s basketball have added to it over the last 10 years. The longest consecutive titles streak belonged to the men’s basketball team with back-to-back wins in 2019 and 2020. It was 2023 before they won a third.
Coincidentally or not, 2023 was the year the women’s team began paving the road for their run with a runners-up finish to Tuskegee. It all started when Miles College Athletic Director and men’s basketball head coach Fred Watson reached back to his former employer, Benedict College, and hired his former players Pete Asmond, to replace Phillip Wallace, Jr.
It’s been smooth sailing ever since, including a little get-back win over Tuskegee last year. This season, Asmond had to restock after losing 10 seniors to graduation, including Second Team All-Conference and 2025 Tournament MVP guard Iemyiah Harris and Third Team All-Conference guard Feliah Greer. Asmond did more than recruit talent; he signed the future of Miles College. basketball in guards. He didn’t have to go far, signing four Birmingham products (Samarian Franklin, Nayla Wesley, Keyarria Stokes, and Otiscia Towns).
Franklin arrived with a bio reminiscent of Bo Jackson’s – Birmingham Female Athlete of the Year, Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 5A Girls Basketball Player of the Year, and AL.com Flag Football Terrific 20 choice at quarterback. Franklin (18-32-151 yards in the air, 10-32 yards rushing) rushed for a 1-yard touchdown to lift Wenonah to an 18-12 overtime win in the AHSAA Class 1A-5A flag football championship game. As a senior, the 5’3” 128 lb guard led the WHS girls’ basketball team to a record of 30-5 and a first-place finish in the region.
The decorated athlete chose Miles College because of the team’s success over the last three seasons. The deal was clinched when three of her friends also decided to sign with the Lady Bears. No one could have predicted the impact of the freshmen and transfers Asmond brought in this season.
For Franklin, it was what she prayed for -a title and the tournament MVP. “And I got my dogs with me,” said Franklin. “The whole freshman squad. We all grew up together, played together, so the chemistry was there on and off the court. They just built a dream team.”
Franklin put her prayers to work against a Dragons squad that was seeking their second SIAC championship to cap off the first 20+ win season in Lane College program history. The Lady Bears took a 17-5 lead into the second quarter. Lane erased the lead and tied the game with a tremendous second quarter.
Lady Bears forward Makayla Rieves dominated the paint, especially in the second half. The senior finished the day with 15 boards, 4 blocks, and 11 points. Her post-mate Wesley had 7 rebounds, an assist, a block, and 9 points before fouling out late in the game. Nine Miles’ players scored at least one point.
Lane’s three-headed scoring Dragon of Lauren Lain, Dyani Bernstine, and Kamil Washum posted double figures. Lain’s layup inside of two minutes in the fourth cut the Lady Bears’ lead to 4. They wouldn’t get any closer as Rieves gobbled up rebounds off the defensive glass, limiting second shots from the Dragons.
Another year and another trophy for Coach Watson and President Bobbie Knight to put in the case. Stay tuned in for the 2026-2027 season to see if Miles College can hold on to their crown.