By: Sebastian Burke, Sports Information Intern
NORFOLK, Va. – It seemed destined to be a season to remember for the Norfolk State women's basketball team.
And despite the abrupt end, it still is.
On March 11, No. 2-seeded NSU cruised in a 76-45 win over No. 7 seed Howard in the quarterfinals of the MEAC tournament. The Spartans had a little extra motivation heading into the game against the Bison, as the Spartans were the top seed remaining in the tourney following No. 1 seed Bethune-Cookman's loss to No. 8 seed Maryland Eastern Shore.
That same night, the NBA played its last games. The next day, March 12, will be remembered as what the New York Post dubbed "the day the sports world stopped." Conference tournaments were canceled, then eventually March Madness. Just like that, the 2019-20 basketball season was over.
While this year will be remembered in many circles for how it ended, it was still quite a successful season for the NSU women's basketball team. The Spartans defeated rival Hampton early in the season in addition to five other non-conference foes. NSU then proceeded to start MEAC play with six straight wins. The Spartans went 12-4 in the MEAC, and their 75 percent winning percentage is their best-ever since joining the league. In addition, the 19 overall wins are the most in head coach
Larry Vickers' tenure.
The Spartans 66.6 points per game is now third-all time in NSU's Division I record book. If there wasn't enough evidence that the offense was clicking this year, the team's 40.9 field goal percentage set the school's D-I era record.
NSU was equally as good defensively this season, finishing fifth in the country with 12.2 steals per game and eighth in turnovers forced. NSU allowed just 59.6 points per game, fourth-lowest in the program's D-I history. The Spartans scoring margin of +7.0 is also a program D-I record.
This year's team was led by a strong group of seniors, looking to go out in victory and glory. Instead they played their last collegiate game, and are now waiting in limbo to see what the NCAA will do. The NCAA has already discussed providing eligibility relief for spring athletes, and the idea has been floated for those in winter sports. Imagine how scary the team would look if the seniors were able to come back for another year.
"I don't believe there will be any logistical issues on our team in that situation, because all seven seniors want completely different things," said head coach
Larry Vickers. "Some are ready for the working world, others professional basketball and some degree completion. I can't speak for other programs, but one can't assume that all seniors would want to pursue an extra year."
Part of the success this season can be attributed to guard
Chanette Hicks, finishing out her career at NSU after three seasons at Virginia Tech. The Norfolk native and Maury graduate took the conference by storm, averaging 20 points, five assists and 4.9 steals per game on her way to being named first-team All-MEAC. Hicks took home plenty of hardware, as she won both the MEAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards. No Spartan female had ever won either award before.
Hicks' 20 points per game was 12th in the country and second in the program's D-I single season records. Her 4.9 steals per were second-most in the country and also set a new school record. She made 226 field goals, which is also a school Division I era record. Among her other accolades, Hicks won BOXTOROW's National Player of the Week and was named to the Dawn Staley Midseason Watch List for the top point guard in the country.
While Hicks was the new kid on the block, those around the MEAC were fully aware of what guard
La'Deja James could do on the court after a strong first season at NSU as a junior in 2018-19. James didn't disappoint, finishing the season averaging 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game to earn a second-team All-MEAC nod. Her 14.1 points per game ended fifth in the MEAC, making NSU the only team with two of the top-five scorers in the conference.
James had one of the most historic performances in program history earlier this season, going 12-of-18 from the floor for 36 points in an 83-75 come-from-behind win over North Carolina Central. The 36-point outburst was second all-time in NSU's D-I history for points in a single game, while the performance also earned her BOXTOROW National Player of the Week.
"I had the privilege to coach the best backcourt in Virginia this year, in my opinion," said Vickers. "I am so proud of the growth both individuals made on and off the floor. If you didn't get to see us play this year, you really missed out."
While Hicks and James carried the Spartans a long way, there were many other seniors who contributed to success of this year's team. Seniors
Mikaela Jones,
Dana Echols,
Blaire Thomas,
Danyael Goodhope and
De'Janaire Deas were featured heavily in coach Vickers' lineup. In fact,
Armani Franklin was the only other starter who wasn't a senior in a lineup that only saw five different rotations throughout the season.
"This senior class was special," said Vickers. "
Blaire Thomas could've easy been all-conference and
Mikaela Jones' love for the game was inspiring. Dana, De'Janaire and Dany were all so resilient and dedicated to the process in so many different ways. This will always be a special group for me."
This year's freshmen,
Cam Platt-Morris and
Ta'Liyah Edmonds, showed promise of bigger things to come. The Spartans are also slated to return sophomores
Shekinah Howard and
Jameila Barrett and junior Franklin. Along with a strong incoming class of three freshmen, NSU has three Division I transfers in
Jalynn Holmes,
Amesha Miller and
Mangela Ngandjui who sat out this year and will be ready for action next season.
Despite the way it all ended and the asterisk that forever will be associated with 2019-20 season, this NSU women's basketball team should be proud of all it accomplished this season. Breaking school records is no easy feat. The Spartans looked like the team to beat just a week ago, now there is some unfinished business next season.
"Most teams in the country are heading into 20-21 with unfinished business as a slogan, and were no different. The question for next season is how seriously the team takes their preparation in order to be successful," added Vickers.
NSU Numbers and Quick Facts
- Three seniors also made their marks in NSU's career record book. James' career .766 (151-197) free throw percentage is now second all-time, while Echols' 3.1 assists per game sits tied for 11th. Deas is now 16th all-time with 111 games played.
- This was the third year in a row the Spartans finished with an overall and conference record over .500.
- NSU was very good at taking the ball from their opponents, while not giving it up themselves. Their +5.1 turnover margin ranked 22nd in the country, while averaging 26.6 points off turnovers per game.
- Additionally, all the steals and opponent turnovers led to the Spartans averaging 16 fast-break points per game, while holding their opponents to just eight per contest.
- NSU outscored its opponents by more than 300 points in the paint, averaging 44. 3 points while holding teams they played to 29.8 points. The Spartans had the advantage in the painted area in all but six games this season.
- After another impressive MEAC campaign, Coach Vickers' conference record moves to 45-29 (60.1%). Eight of those MEAC losses came in his one season as interim coach.
- Hicks won both MEAC Player and Defensive Player of the Week six times this season, while James also took home a MEAC Player of the Week and Platt-Morris won a Rookie of the Week Award.
