2010-11 Women's Basketball Schedule
Basketball Ticket Information
Heading into her second season at the helm of the women's basketball program at Norfolk State, Head Coach Debra Clark and her staff continue their overhaul of the team. Following the loss of six upperclassmen from the 2009-10 season, the Spartans welcome six new players to the 2010-11 squad to join the six returnees.
Luckily for the coaching staff, those six returnees bring a good amount of court experience to the table for the season. Of the 135 total starts made by NSU players in 2009-10, 118 of those belong to those returning players. And with those six newcomers – five freshmen and one junior college transfer – on board, the staff knows it has a good mix of veterans and rookies who will all push for playing time as the season gets underway.
“We've got our returning players who have more experience in what we are trying to do here and they are getting better, but we also have some talented freshmen who are continuing to learn our style of play,” said Clark. “We have the capability of using a lot of combinations, and we are going to need a lot of people contributing to do what we want to do. The great thing is that everyone on this team is able to bring something to the table.”
Returnees
Senior Genor Dalton and juniors Tyisha Bridges and Whitney Long bring experience to this rather young team, with each having played a significant role on the team for two full seasons now.
Long was the team's leading scorer and best free throw shooter last year as well as the team's deadliest 3-point shooter, while Bridges started all 27 games and was one of the team's best overall shooters. Dalton saw her role increase as the season wore on and finished as the team's second-leading rebounder.
In addition to the three upperclassmen, sophomores Batavia Owens, Recca Trice and Marian Brooks each saw significant time on the court last year in their rookie campaigns, including Trice, who led the team in assists, steals and minutes.
In addition to the all-around play of Trice, Brooks solidified herself as the team's best shooters at 43 percent on the season and the team's third-leading rebounder. Owens owned the glass, leading the team in rebounds with 5.4 per game, this despite averaging just 14 minutes on the court.
More importantly for the coaching staff, after getting outrebounded by 7.5 boards per game and outblocked 106-32, NSU added height with its incoming class, with three of the five freshmen standing 6-foot.
Backcourt
Dalton and Bridges will man the small forward position, while Trice and Long anchor the guard spots. Bridges and Trice were the only two players last season to start all 27 games, as Trice led the team in assists and steals with 4.8 and 2.0 per game, respectively. Bridges finished fourth with 6.8 points per contest to go along with 3.4 boards. She also ranked third on the team in shooting at 42.3 percent.
“We're looking forward to Recca running the show,” said Clark. “She's our leader on the floor both offensively and defensively. She's going to have to provide great ball pressure.
“Tyisha is another small forward who can provide us with perimeter scoring and rebounding. She's a good perimeter defender and has great foot speed. We're looking for her to be a little more aggressive offensively.”
Despite making just 16 starts last year, Long led the team in scoring at 9.9 points per game and finished second in both assists (1.7) and steals (1.5). In addition, she was the team's leading 3-point threat, hitting 31 percent from beyond the arc, and best free throw shooter at 82 percent.
“She's going to be asked to provide perimeter scoring and guard the other team's best offensive perimeter player,” stated Clark. “She's our best outside threat. She's matured a lot since last year, and she knows what's expected of her.”
Dalton ended the year second on the team with 4.5 rebounds per game to go along with 6.3 points. She got the starting nod in 23 contests, albeit playing out of position a lot at power forward.
“She's a lot better when she's facing the basket,” said Clark. “It's her natural position, and she's a lot more productive from there. She's progressed very well, so we look for Genor to provide solid perimeter scoring and rebounding for us.”
Joining them in the backcourt for this season are freshmen Rae Corbo and Tia Moore and JC transfer Sarah Daily. Corbo averaged 20 points per game and earned all-state honors at Paramus Catholic her senior year, and Moore posted 11 points, three rebounds and three assists per game in earning all-conference honors at E.E. Smith High.
“Rae's best attribute is her outside shooting,” stated Clark. “She can play some point guard, but she is more natural and was recruited to be a 2. She has a good nose for the ball and great foot speed. She's even a legitimate Division I track athlete.
“Tia will provide relief at the perimeter. Her offense is way ahead of her defense. She's a good player, and she will eventually be a complete player once she gets everything down.”
Daily, meanwhile, spent two years at Blinn JC in Texas after earning all-district honors at A&M Consolidated High School. The coaching staff thought so highly of Daily that she was named one of three team captains along with Trice and Bridges.
“Sarah's still finding her way in the system,” said Clark. “She's one of the hardest-working players. She's going to be a good offensive and defensive threat. Her tenacity will pay off for us.”
“We've got six new players, and we're still pretty young, so it will just be a matter of getting through that youth,” said Clark. “They all have a great work ethic, and there's plenty of talent, so we're really happy with that. There are a lot of youthful errors right now, but they are easily correctable.”
Frontcourt
Brooks anchors the forward slot, where she made 22 starts last year and totaled 6.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest. She also led the team in shooting at a 43.3 percent clip. Backing her up are 6-foot freshmen Destiny Spence and Rachel Gordon.
“Marian will be counted upon to get us quality baskets inside,” said Clark. “She gets in position well and is a lot more efficient compared to last season. She needs to improve her rebounding and score in transition more as a post player.”
Gordon averaged 13.4 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and three blocks per game as a senior at Osbourn Park to earn second-team all-state accolades. Spence garnered third-team all-state honors at Massac County High, where she posted 12 points and 10 rebounds per game while shooting 52 percent from the floor.
“Rachel is one of our most talented post players,” stated Clark. “She has great hands, rebounds well, and really understands the game. She is very polished and will be a significant contributor to our success.
“Destiny is a power forward/center type, but she needs to improve her strength,” said Clark. “She's very coachable, a hard worker, executes plays well and sets a good screen. We just need her to get stronger so she can be a more physical player.”
At 6-foot-1, Owens brings size to the frontcourt as the team's primary center. Along with leading the team in rebounds, Owens chipped in with 4.9 points a game. The coaches raved about Owens' off-season workout and how much better shape she came in.
“She's come a long way,” said Clark. “It's amazing the difference a year makes. She knows what's asked of her. This year she needs to consistently get a double-double for us and play good defense without fouling.”
Carlon Chambers, the third of the 6-foot freshmen to arrive on campus, will provide backup at center. Chambers was an all-district honoree her senior year at Herndon High.
“Her physical statue is an asset to us,” said Clark. “She goes after every rebound and is not afraid to be physical. Her offense has improved, so she'll be pretty solid for us.
“Our freshmen are coachable and they want to learn and get better,” Clark continued. “They hold themselves accountable for what they do, and you can see they are really working hard to improve and push those upperclassmen.”
The Schedule
The Spartans kick off their 2010-11 season at St. Paul's College Nov. 13 before heading to the Comfort Inn and Suites Classic Nov. 19-21 at Morehead State. The team will host Wofford Nov. 27 for the home opener and will also welcome McNeese State Dec. 18 along with non-conference tilts at William & Mary Dec. 15 and George Mason Dec. 29.
MEAC season technically kicks off Dec. 4 with an away contest at North Carolina A&T, but the Spartans will go full steam into the conference season at the beginning of January. Following a home game against future MEAC member Savannah State Jan. 2, NSU hosts Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M Jan. 8 and 10.
The team will also host another future MEAC member in North Carolina Central along with South Carolina State Jan. 22 and 24. The month of January will also see NSU take trips to Hampton and Howard Jan .15 and 17 and to Morgan State and Coppin State Jan. 29 and 31.
The team stays on the road to begin February at UMES and Delaware State Feb. 5 and 7 before returning home to face Hampton and Howard Feb. 12 and 14. The last regular season road trip will take the Spartans to North Carolina Central and South Carolina State Feb. 19 and 21.
The regular season wraps up with three straight home games – Morgan State and Coppin State Feb. 26 and 28 and North Carolina A&T March 3.
The MEAC Tournament will get underway March 8 in Winston-Salem, N.C.
