BALTIMORE – Efficiency has never been an issue for Coppin State women's basketball senior forward Janelle "Purp" Lane.
After all, Lane enters the 2015-16 season fourth all-time in school history in field-goal percentage (47.6). Throughout her career, she has 23 double-digit scoring games, including a team best 15 last year for the Lady Eagles. The 6 foot, 1 inch athletic marvel can swoop to the hoop and leap defenders in a single bound when she's on her gifted game.
However, Lane recognizes the one area she must improve in order for Coppin State to rebound from an unusual 2014-15 season that ended with eight victories, its fewest triumphs since the 1996-97 squad won seven games. It has nothing to do with her physical attributes.
"One of things I have to work on is being more consistent," Lane said. "It's more of a focus thing for me. I can't worry about what I did in the last game because that's not going to determine how the next game is going to go. I think the biggest thing for me also is to be more confident in myself."
An improved, focused, consistent and dominant Lane will be bad news for opponents.
She has the ability to become one of the best players in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Not only can Lane sink a jumper, she can blow past defenders and finish with ease around the rim, rebound with the best players in the nation, be a lockdown defender with her speed and length as well as pass the ball.
A criminal justice major with a beagle named "Dutchess", Lane gets her first opportunity to glisten like a jewel in a crown when Coppin State begins its 2015-16 season Friday morning against VCU at the Verizon Wireless Arena in a rare 11 a.m. tip-off. It's one of 10 women's basketball games that will begin before noon on Friday.
Lane scored a team-high 17 points in last season's home loss to VCU last December.
Last season, Lane was Coppin State's second-best scorer, averaging 10.0 points per game. She ranked ninth in the MEAC in field goal percentage (46.5). Lane was also third on the team in rebounding (4.7) and second in blocked shots (23), which was 11th in the MEAC.
"I have been excited for the start of season since the end of last season," Lane said. "Nobody was happy with how we performed last year and how the season ended. I've been working with a new trainer and (head coach Derek) Brown has been teaching me new things. I am just ready to put everything together and see how far it takes us this season."
She also posted a pair of double-doubles against Howard (17 points and career-best 11 rebounds) and Virginia Union (career-high 20 points and 10 boards). Of course, here's where the consistency factored in as following each of her double-doubles last season, Lane produced head-scratching efforts.
In the next game after her Howard double-double, she scored six points and grabbed three rebounds in a win over Delaware State. Against Georgia, which was the game following Virginia Union, Lane had four points and five rebounds. In the regular season finale against Delaware State, Lane was 7-of-7 from the field against Delaware State and her 13 point, eight-rebound effort helped Coppin State defeat Morgan State in the opening round of the MEAC Tournament.
"I need her to have a coming-out party this season and be consistent," Brown said. "I want her to show everybody the athleticism and skills that she has and be an all-conference player. Overall, with all of my seniors it's a different day and a different year for them. They know this is their last hurrah and they have an attitude and confidence about them. They also expect to win a lot more games than last year."
Lane is one of five experienced seniors on the team along with her roommate
Amber Griffin,
Jordan Swails,
Tanaysa Henderson and
Omaah Tayong. Two years ago as sophomores, they all played key roles in helping Coppin State advance to the MEAC Tournament championship contest. They have been through the battles.
"This year, it's going to be more team ball for us," Lane said. "There's no individual superstar on this team. If one falls, we all fall. If one excels, we all excel. I believe we have great team chemistry this season and can't wait to play. This is our team this year and time for us to leave our mark."
