Nov. 13, 2008
With year one of Division I play under their belts, the North Carolina Central University Lady Eagles finished their season experiencing what the new level of transition play would be like.
Tackling 14 NCAA Division I opponents and traveling to 20 of their 26 contests, the Lady Eagles finished the 2007-08 season with a 6-20 record.
"Last season was one of trial and error, not only for our student-athletes, but also for us coaches with having the opportunity to play Division I schools that we have not played before," said NCCU head women's basketball coach Joli Robinson. "It was truly a great experience for all of us, and it helped the ladies mature in preparation for this season."
Spending a majority of their playing time on the road this season, the Lady Eagles are more experienced, determined, and ready to take on year two.
Soaring to the Next Level
The Lady Eagles return four starters from last year's roster, including Latoya Bennett (5-9, F/C, Bowie, MD), Jori Nwachukwu (5-10, F/C, Upper Marlboro, MD), LaVonna Hailey (5-5, G, Charlotte, N.C.) and Tonia Roundtree (5-9, G, Durham, N.C.).
"This year we expect our returning players to be leaders, not to rely solely on the captains, but all of them have to lead not only on the court, but off the court also," stated Robinson.
Averaging 8.3 rebounds per game a year ago, Bennett's continued aggressiveness towards the basket will continue to aid the Lady Eagles defensively, while also being named one of this season's on-the-court team captains.
Also serving as team captain, averaging 5.6 points per game with a team-high of 44 steals last season, LaVonna Hailey's keen eye and flexibility on the court will continue to aid the Lady Eagles in their Division I journey.
Junior Jori Nwachukwu will be returning after her season was cut short last year with an injury. Before ending her season, Nwachukwu averaged 14.5 points per game, proving that she was up for the challenge ahead. This year she will continue where she left off remaining a viable presence defensively, while also maintaining the ability to be a solid option offensively when needed.
Given the honor of off-the-court captains, seniors Tonia Roundtree and Keyonta Thacker both have the challenge of leading on and off the court.
Roundtree has continued to improve and mature on the court. Last season she averaged 7.8 points per game with 3.3 assists and 4.3 boards per game, while Thacker added 1.7 points per game with a rebound average of 1.1.
"We see a lot of leadership that has been taken on by the returning players," said Robinson. "They are pulling their weight as well as the younger kid's weight, and they stay motivated and work hard."
Freshmen Class
When reflecting on this year's recruiting class, Robinson stated, "The freshmen this year are pushing the returners to step up more on the court."
This year's freshman class includes Whitney Lee, a 5-8 guard from Sebring (Fla.) High School; Blaire Houston, a 5-5 guard from South Plainfield (N.J.) High School; Genevieve Hyman, a 5-11 forward from Seventy-First High School in Fayetteville, N.C.; Danielle DeBerry, a 5-5 point guard from Jordan High School in Durham, N.C.; and Chasidy Williams, a 5-10 forward from Trinity Christian in Fayetteville, N.C.
"This year's class is real good," said Robinson. "Our guards are taller than last year, and we will be more evenly matched against our opposition. They have been working out during the summer. We will see how quickly these young ladies adjust from high school to college."
Hit the Road!
This season, the Lady Eagles will face one of the most challenging schedules in school history in only their second season of Division I competition. This year they will play a full Division I schedule, including only eight home games and 19 contests on the road, visiting eight states (West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia, Colorado, Oklahoma, Illinois, Maryland, and Pennsylvania) along the way.
The only Division II games to appear on the schedule will be a pair of home exhibition contests against Livingstone College on Nov. 8 and Barton College on Nov. 11.
NCCU will face a tough November with six road games and only one home contest.
The NCCU women officially open the season on the road against the Mountaineers of West Virginia University on Nov 14.
The Bears of Morgan State will set foot in McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium as the first home opponent for the Lady Eagles on Nov. 17.
For the rest of the month, NCCU will be on the road. The Lady Eagles visit the Hokies of Virginia Tech on Nov. 20, and then on Nov. 22 will travel to Boiling Springs, N.C. to take on Gardner-Webb.
On Nov. 26, NCCU will face an SEC opponent, the University of Georgia, for the first time in school history, as the Lady Eagles will travel to Athens, Ga. to take on the Bulldogs.
Rounding out the November schedule, the Lady Eagles are participating in the East Carolina University Tournament on Nov. 28-29. NCCU could match-up with the arch-rival Aggies of North Carolina A&T, the University of Buffalo Bulls, or tournament host, the Pirates of East Carolina.
NCCU will play four home games in December. The Lady Eagles begin the month by hosting the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 1. NCCU will fly out to the Midwest as they take part in the U.S. Air Force Academy Tournament in Colorado Springs, Colo., from Dec. 5-6. The Lady Eagles will join teams such as Miami-Ohio, Texas Pan-American and the host team Air Force.
On Dec. 16, the Lady Tigers of Tennessee State will make an appearance for the first time to NCCU's McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium. Tennessee State's home court is also named after John B. McLendon, the Hall of Fame coach who worked at NCCU from 1940-1952 and Tennessee State from 1954-59.
The `battle of the birds' showdown will take place on Dec. 19 as the Hawks of Maryland Eastern Shore swoop into town. The Lady Eagles will travel to Richmond, Va., to face the Rams of Virginia Commonwealth on Dec. 21, before closing out the year with a visit from the Broncos of Western Michigan on Dec. 30.
NCCU has only has three home dates in the second half of the season, compared to 10 road games. The Lady Eagles will host the Bulldogs of South Carolina State on Jan. 2, while the Lancers of Longwood University come to town on Jan. 13. On Jan. 24, the Tigers of Savannah State will be the contestants for NCCU's final home game.
The Lady Eagles will fly to Norman, Okla., to challenge the University of Oklahoma on Jan. 4, and then journey to the Midwest to play Chicago State on Jan. 10.
NCCU squares off against two MEAC schools in Norfolk State on Jan. 15 and Morgan State on Jan. 22.
On Jan. 27, NCCU will travel to Pennsylvania to compete with the Colonials of Robert Morris University.
The Lady Eagles will take on a pair of ACC opponents down tobacco road, facing the Tar Heels of North Carolina on Feb. 1 and the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest on Feb. 5.
NCCU wraps up with former CIAA foe Winston-Salem State on Feb. 11, a rematch on the road against Savannah State on Valentine's Day, followed by a season-ending meeting with the Longwood on Feb. 20.
"I'm ready for this season," said Robinson. "We have improved from last year and will be more competitive this season."
Year two for the Lady Eagles will yet again not be an easy road to travel. With a full Division I schedule keeping them on the road; the Lady Eagles will have to continue to prove they can play with the best.
(Written by Nicole Mitchell, Sports Information Graduate Assistant)
