WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
2001-02
PRE-SEASON OUTLOOK

2000-01 RECAP: The College of New Jersey Lions capped a perfect 20-0 season in conference play to carry the NJAC banner into the national tournament, bowing out in the quarterfinal round. The conference also earned three invitations to the ECAC Metro Region Tournament, with bids going to Montclair State University, Rutgers University-Camden, and the eventual 2001 champion, Richard Stockton College. Overall, the NJAC posted a solid non-conference record of 42-33 (.560 winning percentage).

2001-02 OUTLOOK: The coaches' poll strongly favors a repeat in the top spot by The College of New Jersey, ranked No. 10 nationally in the Div. III News pre-season poll, but the Lions can expect six tough games from Richard Stockton, Rowan and Rutgers-Camden, the next three on the list. With an all-conference first team comprised of four sophomores last season, youth will continue to serve the NJAC. Junior center Joy Silver (Camden, NJ), the NJAC Player of the Year in 2000-01 and a Div. II News Pre-Season All-American, is the conference's Pre-Season Player of the Year for 2001-02. Silver averaged a double-double in points (19.3) and rebounds (12.0) to lead the NJAC in both categories. She is joined in the spotlight by former NJAC Rookie of the Year Kelli Bakanowsky (Gibbsboro, NJ), who averaged 13.8 ppg and 6.3 rpg for the Stockton Ospreys; center Jaquanna Abdullah (Brooklyn, NY), the NJAC's second-leading rebounder (9.8 rpg) and third-leading scorer (16.8 ppg) last season for the Kean Cougars; and TCNJ guard Kristen McCandless (Haddonfield, NJ), a second team all-conference selection and the Lions' floor general.

2001-02 NJAC
COACHES' POLL

1.) The College of New Jersey (1)*
2.) Richard Stockton College (3)
3.) Rowan University (2)
4.) Rutgers University - Camden (4)
5.) Kean University (6)
6.) William Paterson University (8)
7.) Ramapo College (7)
8.) Montclair State University (5)
9.) New Jersey City University (9)
10.) Rutgers University - Newark (10)

*number in parentheses indicates last year's regular season finish

Most Likely to Cause an Upset:
Ramapo, Kean

KEAN UNIVERSITY
COUGARS
Head Coach: Michelle Sharp
2000-01: 7-11 NJAC, 9-15 Overall

Head coach Michele Sharp is in her fourth year of building the Cougars into a top contending program in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Cougars return virtually its entire roster from last year, and Sharp has added a core group of newcomers who should make this one of the most successful teams in recent years.

All-NJAC center Jaquana Abdullah (South Shore/Brooklyn, NY) returns for her junior year after a dominating sophomore campaign where she averaged a team leading 16.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per contest. Kean will look for leadership and scoring from off guard Leigh Vogtman (Steinert/Yardville, NJ) who has started every game during her career. Kean also expects a big contribution on both ends of the court from 5’11" swing player Stefanie Siniscalchi (St. John Vianney/Manalapan, NJ).

MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY
RED HAWKS
Head Coach: Jaime Hoffman
2000-01: 11-7 NJAC, 15-11 Overall

After Coming off a 15-11 mark and an ECAC Division III Metro berth last winter, the Montclair State University women’s basketball team will seeking greater heights this season under new head coach Jamie Hoffman. A Catholic University graduate, Hoffman previously guided Newbury (MA) College from the juco ranks to the NCAA level and comes to Montclair after serving at St. Francis (NY) University last season.

MSU will have to make do without forward Marlena Lawrence, who posted 1,280 points the last four seasons in leaving as the school’s seventh all-time leading scorer, plus junior guard Lakeesha Langston, who led MSU with 12.3 points per game and 97 assists in 2000-01. Kerry Shine has also moved on after posting 7.7 PPG as a senior.

The Red Hawks will return most of their top rebounders in juniors Jasmine Batts (7.8 RPG) and Stephanie Croley (6.3 RPG) and senior Stephanie Ellerbe (5.3 RPG). Batts also averaged 10.2 PPG last season. Sophomore forward Nicole McVaugh is expected to return after a shortened season where she averaged 7.8 RPG and 8.8 PPG in just eight outings. Junior guard Erin Schultz averaged 5.6 PPG in a secondary role while also notching 50 rebounds, 50 assists and 18 three-point goals. Freshman guard Shirah Odeh will join the squad after the MSU women’s soccer season concludes.

THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY
LIONS
Head Coach: Dawn Henderson
2000-01: 18-0 NJAC, 25-4 Overall

This season expect TCNJ’s core of sophomores who play inside – Liz Martin (Shamong, NJ/Shawnee) and Adrienne Warner (Sparta, NJ/Sparta) – to step up and take their play to the next level. The duo should dominate the inside for the Lions and free up the guards to shoot outside. The addition of five-foot-11 inch freshman Theresa DiMedio (Berlin, NJ/Camden Catholic), who can play the small or power forward, will make it difficult for TCNJ’s opponents to defend their inside game. Warner was the Lions’ leading scorer last year, averaging 10.2 PPG, while Martin paced TCNJ with 181 boards (6.2 RPG) and 21 blocks.

Junior Jen Munday (Mountain Lakes, NJ/Mountain Lakes) will handle the position of point guard. A fiery spark off the bench last season, Munday’s role on the team will change from backup to starter and head coach Dawn Henderson will look to her for elevated scoring output. The Lions’ coaching staff is looking for freshman Sofia Ojeda (Absegami, NJ/Absegami) to play the two or three position for them.

Senior co-captain Lauren Durkin (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) will find herself in the spotlight for the team as she will be counted upon to shoot the critical three this season. A solid free throw shooter, Durkin led the team in 2000-01 with a 78.9 percentage. Dominating from the two-guard, junior co-captain Kristen McCandless (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield) is a versatile player who can create off the dribble or finish in the paint. McCandless is the Lions’ top returning assists, minutes, and steals leader, averaging 2.6 APG, 23.7 minutes, and 2.2 SPG.

NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY
GOTHIC KNIGHTS
Head Coach: Alice DeFazio
2000-01: 4-14 NJAC, 7-17 Overall

It’s been eight seasons since the NJCU women’s basketball team has been .500, but with the talent the 2001-02 roster will present, chances are that the Gothic Knights fortunes are going to change. With a roster that included six freshmen, NJCU finished 7-17 last year, including major upsets of William Paterson University and Kean University on the road. And with a couple of breaks, the Knights could have easily won a half dozen more games.

NJCU will heavily rely on 5-foot-9 sophomore forward Anabel Rodriguez (Belleville, NJ/Belleville). Rodriguez has the ability to be one of the best players in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. “If we do a good job of getting her the ball inside, I think she’s going to make people respect our inside game,” Coach Alice DeFazio said of her power forward, as Rodriguez slides back one from the three. “I really believe this is going to be a breakout year for her, and she’s going to earn some respect in the conference.”

Also projected in the starting lineup are three returning starters, namely 5-foot-2 sophomore Cristina Morales (Newark, NJ/Shabazz) at point guard, senior Sandra Nunez (Perth Amboy, NJ/Perth Amboy, 5-4) at the two and 5-11 Shondelle Browne (Irvington, NJ/Irvington) at center after playing power forward as a sophomore. Junior small forward Annie Basulto (Miami, FL/Coral Park, FL) returns to NJCU after being out of school since the end of the 1998-99 season when the 5-9 former transfer played in all 24 of the Knights’ games. She’s a proven scorer who will bring a whole different dimension to the lineup from an experience standpoint.

Freshman guard Bernice Amadeo (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne), the younger sister of the ace of the NJCU baseball team, will see significant minutes at small forward, while freshman Sharnice Jackson (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson) has the potential to be one of the best guards to ever play at NJCU. Senior forward Lyneshia Jefferson (Newark, NJ/Central) returns as a key defensive player who will also run the floor in transition at 5-foot-9. Freshman Erika Cubile (Jersey City, NJ/Academy of St. Aloysius, 5-3) was a 1,000-point scorer in high school.

RAMAPO COLLEGE
ROADRUNNERS
Head Coach: Eugene Marshall Jr.
2000-01: 6-12 NJAC, 11-13 Overall

The Lady roadrunners are coming off an injury-riddled season; staying healthy is the number one concern and objective. This year Coach Marshall and his staff have added 10 new players to the roster. Although this team is very young, they are both talented and committed to winning.

The team will be led by co-captains senior Tara Larkin (West Morris-Mendham HS/Mendham, NJ), with 14.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 24 bpg last season, and junior Carla Colucci (Emerson HS/Emerson, NJ) who contributed 13.8 ppg and 4.5 apg. Junior Stephanie Pillari (Westwood HS/Westwood, NJ) has returned from her second ACL injury in two seasons to direct the Roadrunners at point guard. Pillari scored 8.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4 apg, and 2.2 spg last year. Junior transfer Katie Arcuri (St. Francis College, NY) will provide this team with additional scoring, maturity, and leadership.

Coach Marshall expects the depth and talent will allow Ramapo to play exciting up-tempo basketball on offense as well as have a strong inside presence.

RICHARD STOCKTON COLLEGE
OSPREYS
Head Coach: Joe Fussner
2000-01: 13-5 NJAC, 19-10 Overall

The Stockton women's basketball team returns four starters and nine letter winners from last year's ECAC Metro Championship squad. Junior forward Kelli Bakanowsky (Gibbsboro/Eastern) was a 2001 NJAC First Team selection after scoring 13.8 points per game and leading the league in free throw percentage (.807). Bakanowsky creates matchup problems for opponents with her ability to score in the post or facing the basket. Sophomore forward Allison Calandrino (Freehold/Freehold) is a talented perimeter shooter who led Stockton with 39 three-pointers last year.

In the backcourt, senior Rosina Rachuba (Woodbury Heights/Gateway) and sophomore Christina Mason (Southampton/Lenape) return for the Ospreys. Rachuba directs the Stockton offense and provides leadership on the floor, while also possessing the capability to bury the open shot. She shot 37.9% from three-point range last season. Mason led the NJAC in three-point percentage (.397) last year. She is a solid all-around player who can play either guard position for the Ospreys.

Sophomore forward Takisha Pride (Palmyra/Palmyra) came off the bench last season and averaged 8.1 rebounds per game. In addition to her efforts on the boards, Pride should continue to develop her offensive skills. Transfer Amy Pearson (Wildwood/ Wildwood Catholic) and freshman Carrie Adams (Absecon/Absegami) are the top newcomers for Stockton this season. Pearson is expected to provide offensive punch while Adams is a sound defensive player who gives the Ospreys a presence in the paint.

ROWAN UNIVERSITY
PROFS
Head Coach: Gabrielle Lisella
2000-01: 14-4 NJAC, 17-8 Overall

This year the Rowan women's basketball team will rely on the senior leadership of forward Kristi McCullough (Cherokee/Marlton, NJ) and guard Lisa Guide (Gloucester Catholic/Gloucester, NJ). McCullough was the second leading scorer (14.6 ppg) last year while Guide was third (11.8 ppg). McCullough was named to the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) All-Conference second team.

The Profs also return three players that saw playing time their rookie season, guards Jennifer Daly (Middletown N./Port Monmouth, NJ), guard Staci Minuskin (Howell/Howell, NJ) and center/forward Melissa Wallace (Spotswood/Spotswood, NJ). Daly started 16 of 25 games and averaged 7.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. She was the team's top three-point shooter with 29. Minuskin played in every game and contributed with 3.4 points a game. Wallace averaged 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY - CAMDEN
SCARLET RAPTORS
Head Coach: Jackie Trakimas
2000-01: 11-7 NJAC, 17-10 Overall

The Rutgers-Camden women's basketball program hopes to build on a banner season which saw the Scarlet Raptors post a 17-10 record – a dramatic turnaround from their 5-19 season in 1999-2000 – and reach the NJAC and ECAC Metro playoffs for the first time since 1996-97.

Jackie Trakimas earned NJAC Coach of the Year honors last year, and she returns junior center Joy Silver (Camden/Woodrow Wilson), who was named the NJAC Player of the Year. Silver led the conference in scoring (19.3) and rebounding (12.0) for the second straight season and needs only 144 points to reach 1,000 for her career. Also returning is sophomore forward Allison Cooney (Gloucester/Gloucester), one of the top rookies in the NJAC before her season-ending ACL injury. She averaged 7.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in 13 games.

Key newcomers include junior guard Molly Anne Light (Gloucester/Gloucester), a transfer from Div. I Fairfield (CT) University, and freshmen Marcie Pentz (Mickleton/Kingsway Regional), Crystal Lucas (West Deptford/West Deptford), Carly Lane (Pedricktown/Penns Grove), all forwards, and guard Melissa Ciervo (Audubon/Audubon).

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY - NEWARK
SCARLET KNIGHTS
Head Coach: Kevin Morris
2000-01: 1-17 NJAC, 4-20 Overall

First-year head coach Kevin Morris begins his rebuilding program at Rutgers-Newark with a foundation of four returning starters from last season’s 4-20 squad and the addition of three newcomers. Three seniors – Nydia Cubero (Perth Amboy/Perth Amboy, NJ), Laura Palmerezzi (Roselle Catholic/Maplewood, NJ) and Johanna Avendano (Elizabeth/Elizabeth, NJ) – joined sophomore forward Rita Abatemarco (Manchester Twp./Manchester, NJ) to produce 36.1 points and 22.8 rebounds per game that accounted for 68.1% of the scoring and 55.1% of the board work for the Scarlet Raiders. All will battle to maintain their starting roles.

Cubero is a lightning-quick guard who led the squad in steals with 62 and assists with 60. Palmerezzi, a 5-foot-11 forward, led the Raiders with 7.1 rebounds per game while averaging 7.6 points. Avendano, a physical inside player, shot a team-best 46.5% from the field while averaging 10.6 points and 4.8 rebounds. Abatemarco, a 5-foot-10 post player, netted 8.2 points and collared 5.9 rebounds per game. She also ranked second on the squad in assists with 51.

After a 1-17 finish in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, the short-range goal is to begin climbing the conference ladder. The addition of a trio of guards buoys hopes of improvement. Perth Amboy freshman Irabeth Rivera (Perth Amboy/Perth Amboy, NJ) gives the Raiders a quick point guard with solid ball-handling skills and a good eye from beyond the arc. Floresca Burton (Plainfield/Plainfield, NJ) is an athletic 5-foot-11 guard with a consistent jump shot who will also provide rebounding help. Rookie guard Linda Agostinelli (Jonathan Dayton/Springfield, NJ) joined the squad late after participating in women’s soccer this fall, but her court savvy and shooting touch have already made her a player to watch.

Senior reserve Nahla Gad (Elmwood Park/Elmwood Park, NJ) returns after contributing 6.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per game and showing solid all-around skills with 36 assists and 35 steals. Sophomore Fatimah Winbush (University/Newark, NJ) is the Raiders’ best on-the-ball defender and a strong rebounder.

WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY
PIONEERS
Head Coach: Erin Monahan
2000-01: 5-13 NJAC, 8-15 Overall

Coming off a rare losing season, the Pioneers are hoping to have learned from last season's lessons and rejoin the NJAC elite. Leading the way will be juniors Katie Morris (Deptford HS/Wenonah, NJ) and Jeanine Day (Kearny HS/Greenbrook, NJ). Morris averaged 13.0 points in 14 games before suffering a knee injury, while Day averaged 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.8 steals en route to earning the conference's Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Also returning for the Pioneers is sophomore guard and NJAC Rookie of the Year Kat McPhail (Hopatcong HS/Sparta, NJ), who averaged a team-high 13.4 points. McPhail and Morris form an athletic backcourt, while Day will team with sophomores Sarah Stowe (Hopatcong HS/Hopatcong, NJ) with 3.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, Patrice Sanders (Northern Burlington HS/Hamilton, NJ) and junior Melissa Jacobsen (Florence HS/ Burlington, NJ) up front.