MU women's hoops: My column for Wednesday on - Hawks could be a year away from a title run/and game day box for LIU per EO
Still relatively young, but growing more and more restless for a
shot at a championship.
That would seem to be the situation of the junior-sophomore laden Monmouth
University women's basketball team (7-4, 1-0) which resumes Northeast
Conference play Wednesday at home against Long Island U. (7-5, 1-1).
With the exception of a Jan. 23rd game at New Jersey Institute
of Technology, Monmouth will spend the balance of the season in search of
its first trip to the NEC finals since 2004 and first championship since 1987.
""Yes, we're kind of a young team, but we do have a lot of
veterans, there's six of us who came on as freshman, have all contributed to
the program, and are doing pretty well,'' said Brianne Edwards, a junior guard.
Forward Charisse Johnson is the lone Monmouth senior.
""At this time last year we were a little down and we've picked it up this
season,''said Edwards.
Whereas the last few seasons Monmouth looked to gradated All-NEC performer
Niamh Dwyer, it's a more balanced club that has
reversed last year's 4-7 record over its first 11 games.
In the NEC Preseason Coaches Poll Monmouth was tabbed fourth behind defending
champion Sacred Heart (currently 6-6, 1-0 NEC) which returns all of its
starters, Robert Morris (7-4, 1-0), and Quinnipiac (8-3, 2-0).
""Since I've been here this is the toughest I've ever seen it (the NEC),''
said coach Michele Baxter, who arrived at Monmouth as an assistant coach
in 2000.
The Big Three all have one thing in common
which Monmouth appears to lack, a consistent major scoring threat.
Sacred Heart is paced by returning NEC Player of the Year Amanda Pape (17.4
ppg.), RMU by Sugeiry Monsac (16.2 ppg.), and Quinnipiac by last year's
NEC Rookie of the Year Erin Kerner (17.8 ppg.).
Monmouth's lone double figure scorer is sophomore Jennifer Bender (11.8 ppg.) who comes off the
bench.
But to Monmouths benefit eight different players have led or shared
single game scoring honors this season - Bender four times, junior Veronica
Randolph twice, Edwards twice, freshman Brooke McElroy,
Johnson, sophomore Marisa Jimenez, sophomore Lakia Barber, and junior center
Lindsey Zegowitz.
""Big wins will be the key,'' said Edwards. ""And also everybody
contributing. The great thing about it is we have so many threats.''
Baxter believes Monmouth's depth should boost its
defense currently fifth in the NEC (64.9 ppg.).
""So now we can press and defend more,'' said Baxter.""And I think that will
help us. We're a little
bit more creative with our full court defense in what we've been able to do
since I've been here.''
Randolph is optimistic about Monmouth's chances. "We just have to
mentally be ready for championship games and the (NEC) playoffs,'' she said.
""Last couple of years we've been out in the first round.'' That would
include last season when tonight's opponent ousted the Hawks, 80-70.
Depth, balance, and a willingness to play defense, all at least point to a
ninth winning season in 10 years for Monmouth's women and a sixth
consecutive trip to the
NEC Tournament.
The top eight of the 11 NEC teams qualify
for the event whose winner gains an automatic
NCAA Tournament berth.
Monmouth's only visit to the Big Dance in Division I women's basketball was as a play-
in entrant in 1983 before the advent of the NEC.
Conventional wisdom would appear to command that Monmouth,
compared to the experience
and big scorers at the likes of Sacred Heart, Quinnipiac, and Robert
Morris, may be a year away from making that elusive title run.
And that's how I see it.
e-mail tonygsports@aol.com
Monmouth University Women’s Basketball vs. Long Island
Wednesday game box for LIU
7:00 p.m.
88.9 fm, www.wmcx.com
Monmouth: The Hawks (7-4, 1-0 NEC) have won two straight games since alternating wins and losses in their previous six contests. Their last time out they defeated Lafayette 79-62 on New Year’s Eve behind Veronica Randolph’s career-high 26 points. She was joined in double figures by freshman Brooke McElroy and Jennifer Bender (12 points each), as well as Marisa Jimenez (11). LaKia Barber missed that game due to a violation of team rules, but she will be available to tonight’s contest. The Hawks hold a 34-13 all-time series edge against the Blackbirds, including sweeping them last year.
Long Island: The Blackbirds (7-5, 1-1 NEC) are coming off an 80-73 loss at East Carolina in their last action on December 29. They are led by Valerie Nainima, who is fourth in the Northeast Conference in scoring, averaging 16.7 points per game. They have three player’s that average double figures, as Marquita Thompson (12.3 pp) and Mikaelar Whippy (11.9 ppg) join Nainima.
My thoughts: could be tough game for MU. Also, LIU has been practicing at MU last two days in prepraration, so they're really gearing up for this game. But I think MU balance wins it.
Did you know? MU coach Stephanie Gaitley is the mother of MU red-shirt freshman forward "Dutch" Gaitley.
shot at a championship.
That would seem to be the situation of the junior-sophomore laden Monmouth
University women's basketball team (7-4, 1-0) which resumes Northeast
Conference play Wednesday at home against Long Island U. (7-5, 1-1).
With the exception of a Jan. 23rd game at New Jersey Institute
of Technology, Monmouth will spend the balance of the season in search of
its first trip to the NEC finals since 2004 and first championship since 1987.
""Yes, we're kind of a young team, but we do have a lot of
veterans, there's six of us who came on as freshman, have all contributed to
the program, and are doing pretty well,'' said Brianne Edwards, a junior guard.
Forward Charisse Johnson is the lone Monmouth senior.
""At this time last year we were a little down and we've picked it up this
season,''said Edwards.
Whereas the last few seasons Monmouth looked to gradated All-NEC performer
Niamh Dwyer, it's a more balanced club that has
reversed last year's 4-7 record over its first 11 games.
In the NEC Preseason Coaches Poll Monmouth was tabbed fourth behind defending
champion Sacred Heart (currently 6-6, 1-0 NEC) which returns all of its
starters, Robert Morris (7-4, 1-0), and Quinnipiac (8-3, 2-0).
""Since I've been here this is the toughest I've ever seen it (the NEC),''
said coach Michele Baxter, who arrived at Monmouth as an assistant coach
in 2000.
The Big Three all have one thing in common
which Monmouth appears to lack, a consistent major scoring threat.
Sacred Heart is paced by returning NEC Player of the Year Amanda Pape (17.4
ppg.), RMU by Sugeiry Monsac (16.2 ppg.), and Quinnipiac by last year's
NEC Rookie of the Year Erin Kerner (17.8 ppg.).
Monmouth's lone double figure scorer is sophomore Jennifer Bender (11.8 ppg.) who comes off the
bench.
But to Monmouths benefit eight different players have led or shared
single game scoring honors this season - Bender four times, junior Veronica
Randolph twice, Edwards twice, freshman Brooke McElroy,
Johnson, sophomore Marisa Jimenez, sophomore Lakia Barber, and junior center
Lindsey Zegowitz.
""Big wins will be the key,'' said Edwards. ""And also everybody
contributing. The great thing about it is we have so many threats.''
Baxter believes Monmouth's depth should boost its
defense currently fifth in the NEC (64.9 ppg.).
""So now we can press and defend more,'' said Baxter.""And I think that will
help us. We're a little
bit more creative with our full court defense in what we've been able to do
since I've been here.''
Randolph is optimistic about Monmouth's chances. "We just have to
mentally be ready for championship games and the (NEC) playoffs,'' she said.
""Last couple of years we've been out in the first round.'' That would
include last season when tonight's opponent ousted the Hawks, 80-70.
Depth, balance, and a willingness to play defense, all at least point to a
ninth winning season in 10 years for Monmouth's women and a sixth
consecutive trip to the
NEC Tournament.
The top eight of the 11 NEC teams qualify
for the event whose winner gains an automatic
NCAA Tournament berth.
Monmouth's only visit to the Big Dance in Division I women's basketball was as a play-
in entrant in 1983 before the advent of the NEC.
Conventional wisdom would appear to command that Monmouth,
compared to the experience
and big scorers at the likes of Sacred Heart, Quinnipiac, and Robert
Morris, may be a year away from making that elusive title run.
And that's how I see it.
e-mail tonygsports@aol.com
Monmouth University Women’s Basketball vs. Long Island
Wednesday game box for LIU
7:00 p.m.
88.9 fm, www.wmcx.com
Monmouth: The Hawks (7-4, 1-0 NEC) have won two straight games since alternating wins and losses in their previous six contests. Their last time out they defeated Lafayette 79-62 on New Year’s Eve behind Veronica Randolph’s career-high 26 points. She was joined in double figures by freshman Brooke McElroy and Jennifer Bender (12 points each), as well as Marisa Jimenez (11). LaKia Barber missed that game due to a violation of team rules, but she will be available to tonight’s contest. The Hawks hold a 34-13 all-time series edge against the Blackbirds, including sweeping them last year.
Long Island: The Blackbirds (7-5, 1-1 NEC) are coming off an 80-73 loss at East Carolina in their last action on December 29. They are led by Valerie Nainima, who is fourth in the Northeast Conference in scoring, averaging 16.7 points per game. They have three player’s that average double figures, as Marquita Thompson (12.3 pp) and Mikaelar Whippy (11.9 ppg) join Nainima.
My thoughts: could be tough game for MU. Also, LIU has been practicing at MU last two days in prepraration, so they're really gearing up for this game. But I think MU balance wins it.
Did you know? MU coach Stephanie Gaitley is the mother of MU red-shirt freshman forward "Dutch" Gaitley.
posted by Tony Graham at 7:15 PM
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