By Christopher McLaughlin
With improved depth and four seniors, the CCSU Women’s Basketball team is expecting a big upcoming season.
“It’s exciting to have four seniors, I haven’t had that big of a senior class in my time here.” said Head Coach Beryl Piper. “It’s nice to have four kids with a good feel of what we are trying to do.”
The four seniors, Leanne Crocket, Alex Dowdy, Kerrianne Dugan, and Justina Udenze, are all expected to have a big impact this year. “There will be a lot of pressure on them, we need them to score for us,” said Piper. “Kerrianne, Leanne, and Justina have to put points on the board and Alex needs to run the floor.”
While each of the four seniors brings something different to the game, the contributions they make will be equally important.
“Justina has come so far. She gives a lot of trouble down in the post and she is far more consistent now,” said Piper. “Kerrianne is a kid who does everything, she is the go to shooter, she can knock down the 15-footer, get to the rim, and distribute the ball.
“Leanne has to be a double digit scorer and get as many rebounds as possible, and Alex needs to show leadership expected of the starting point guard. If we can get all this consistently, we will be fine.”
While there are high expectations placed on the four seniors, they’re eager to meet them.
“Since freshmen year, all four of us have been waiting for our year. For us, it’s go hard or go home,” said Senior Point Guard Alex Dowdy.
In addition to the four seniors, Coach Piper is expecting an impact from the rest of the returning class. “With the loss of PJ Wade, we really need Gabrielle Oglesby to pick up where PJ left off,” said Piper. “She’s a fun player to watch with her athleticism, she can really get up and down the court.”
Kristen Daamen is another player who expects to see major minutes for the Blue Devils this season.
“With Kristen we have more size in the low post. She’s a 6-foot-3 post player who can both give Justina rest and play with her together down in the paint. Kristen has worked really hard, and gets up and down the court very well, I’m comfortable with both of them in the post.”
In the NBA, the sixth man has become a valuable commodity, for CCSU it’s no different. The first player off the bench for CCSU will be Brooke Bailey, who will bring size, skill, and experience to the floor.
“She didn’t play a lot last year, but she has worked very hard over the summer. She gives us good size at 6-foot-3 and she can hit the three and get to the rim. She is also a very smart player, which is always good to have,” said Piper.
While their minutes will be limited, the incoming class gives Coach Piper much needed depth at key positions. Jessica Babe comes to CCSU from Pittsburgh and will back up the point for the Blue Devils.
“Jess can come in and give Alex rest. She is stronger and more physical though not as quick. She does have potential to dish and create opportunities in the post,” said Piper.
Lauren Arbogast, another freshman from Pennsylvania, is a 6-foot-2 post player that will back up Udenze and Daamen. “Lauren can really run the floor as a post player and can give rest to our other post players. She can shoot the 15-footer, get to the rim and grab rebounds,” said Piper.
CCSU will need the added depth it received this year as the schedule will be difficult. The team will play games against UNH and ranked West Virginia. Coach Piper hopes the tough schedule will make her girls tougher.
“Our non-conference games will make us stronger, faster, and more crisp. It will make us a better conference team because of the non conference schedule,” she said. “We are also looking for revenge to the teams that we lost to last year.”
One of the games they are particularly fired up for is the season opener against Hartford. “We’re really looking forward to the UHart game,” said Dowdy. “We’re preparing to win that one.”
Despite the tough schedule, Coach Piper still has championship aspirations. With Coach Piper firmly behind her team, the players know their mission for the season as well.
“Our goal of course is to win the NEC,” said Dowdy. “We have to play the whole 40 minutes as team. We need to bring intensity to the game, and knowing each other’s strengths and weaknesses will help us be a better team.”
The Blue Devils were picked seventh in the preseason poll but Coach Piper still feels her team has what it takes.
“I still like our chances, the seniors, size, and depth make us a tough team to beat. I would have liked a high ranking, but a low one just means that we have a lot to proving to do,” said Piper.
The path to an NEC title will be a long and difficult one for CCSU, but the team will be prepared to face opponents. CCSU opens up the season at home on Friday, Nov. 12 against Hartford.