BALTIMORE – The 2015-16 Coppin State women's basketball team belongs to seniors
Amber Griffin,
Janelle Lane,
Omaah Tayong,
Tanaysa Henderson and
Jordan Swails. They know that and are prepared to accept that responsibility like a James Bond mission.
"Our expectations this year is to have a much better season than last year," Swails said. "We really want to bring what we've been doing during the preseason into the season. It's really nothing less than perfect for us this year. We've talked about this being our team ever since our last game against Savannah State."
There's a strong sense of urgency to make the 2015-16 season memorable beginning Friday morning when the Lady Eagles visit Virginia Commonwealth in their opening contest at 11 a.m. This is the final chance to leave their mark of excellence on the tradition-rich Coppin State women's basketball program.
However, when the preseason poll was released, Coppin State was picked seventh despite returning 10 players and 84.2 percent of its scoring. That explains the Grand Canyon-sized chip on the Lady Eagles shoulders heading into this season. They are talented with the swagger to match.
"My seniors have come into the season with an attitude and confidence about winning," veteran head coach
Derek Brown said. "Throughout my years of coaching, I've looked at the better teams and most of them were senior-laden teams. There's just confidence that those seniors have and that's what I have seen this year with our young ladies. They are on a mission."
Swails and Lane are the Lady Eagles' returning leading scorers.
Swails' feathery soft shooting stroke is smoother than a Luther Vandross love ballad. She earned a spot on the MEAC All-Tournament team and averaged a team best 11.3 points per game. Lane averaged 10.0 points per outing and led Coppin State with 15 double-digit scoring games.
An ankle-breaking princess Griffin, who has started 59 games in her career, led CSU in assists and needs seven helpers to become the third woman in program history to reach 300 assists. Tayong led the Lady Eagles in blocked shots.
The seniors will get some scoring help sophomore guard
Genesis Lucas, who earned a spot on the MEAC All-Rookie team after averaging 12.3 points in 15 starts. Transfer
Vanessa Neal's versatility will be a bonus this season as will Henderson's improved performances. Junior
Keena Samuels is another veteran expected to play a key role this season.
The seniors understand there's no tomorrow, so that's why each drill has been completed with precision, purpose and passion. Every suicide has been run at full speed. They are focused on finishing their careers with a flourish.
"We have more maturity this season," Griffin said. "We are ready to work, learn and get some wins. We are tired of losing and it's time for us to turn it around, which we have been doing in practice. I love Coppin and our seniors love Coppin. For us to be remembered after we leave here would mean everything to us. We are ready to leave with a bang."
The seniors have grown together from role players into leaders. Two years ago, they all played critical roles and had major moments as Coppin State lost the MEAC Tournament championship game to Hampton, 50-47. That team was fueled and led by the terrific triumvirate of Kyra Coleman, Larissa Carter and Ashle Craig.
"Our heads are high entering the season and we are confident," Henderson said. "We're excited and we feel good about all of the work we have put in over the summer. We have an opportunity for redemption and prove to people that last year is over with. Two years ago, we were in the championship and we had players that did it for us. Last year we didn't have that so it was hard for us to step up. We realized that we can't be in the shadows."
They struggled together last season trying to find their way against a savage slate of competitors that left them battered, bloodied and bruised with the fewest wins in a season since 1997.
Eventually the Lady Eagles found their wings and concluded the season with victories in two of their final three games, including a win in the MEAC Tournament for the fifth consecutive season.
In the 72-56 win over Morgan State in the MEAC Tournament, Coppin State put it all together and enjoyed its best performance of the season as each starter reached double figures for the only time last season. It's an effort that should serve as a harbinger of things to occur this upcoming season.
"We have taken more responsibility," Tayong said. "Last year we were looking around at one another wondering who was going to do it. Now, we've accepted responsibility that we have to get it done."?
