2008/2009 Basketball Preview
Coaches' Roundtable
(November 14, 2008)
We approached several of the top programs in the state and asked their coaches if they wouldn't mind a little sit-down chat via email. Through the kindness of their hearts (these are really great folks!), these youth leaders shared their thoughts with us in this DGB.com exclusive. By way of introduction, Chris Jones heads up a solid Hodgson Vo-Tech team that just came off a brilliant Final Four season last year. Marcus Thompson, Sanford School, is also no stranger to State Semi-Finals. Kristin Caldwell leads a talented Caravel roster hungry to avenge a second round 2-point loss in last year's tournament. And Thom Quann is at the helm of the 2008 summer league champs, the Lady Cougars of Delcastle.
DGB: For so long now, the scene has been dominated by Ursuline and St. E’s. Over the last two years, though, most of the weapons from both schools have graduated out. What are your thoughts on how this will (or won’t) impact the overall race to The Bob in March?
Chris Jones: Even though St. Elizabeth and Ursuline may be considered less dominant in comparison to previous seasons, I still see both programs remaining competitive and full of pride in their respective programs. St. E's Coach Ferrier has won a state championship and new UA Coach Noonan has assisted in a few. I feel this season will be wide open and I won't be surprised if teams from downstate contend either.
Marcus Thompson: It is true that Delaware basketball has been led in the last 5 years by both St. E's and Ursuline. Their success was largely driven by the outstanding play of two of the best players in the country. Elena Delle Donne and Khadijah Rushdan were two of the best players to ever play in Delaware. I personally believe that the rest of the state should be happy that their careers intersected. We all were fortunate enough to see and take part in some the best high school battles in the state's history. These two phenoms are now gone! Also, players like Miller, O’Hanlon, Rutland, McGill, Woody and the likes have graduated. Indeed, the doors have now opened up for the possibility of crowning a new champion. A look around the state this year finds a lot of girls, coaches and programs energized and hungry to raise a State Championship banner this year. Though St. E's and Ursuline are championship programs, the hunger and hard work put in by so many young ladies this summer I believe will culminate in a new champion being crowned.
Kristin Caldwell: This year is very exciting because 5 or 6 teams have a legitimate chance to win a state championship. In addition, I think that there will be more upsets overall because there are more teams that have similar talent. I am really anxious to see the new "stars" that emerge in the state now that it is a level playing field again.
Thom Quann: With Ursuline graduating such excellent players it looks like the race to the Bob is open for quite a few teams to focus on playing there in March.
DGB: What teams out there do you think have a legitimate shot at the ‘08/’09 Title and why?
Chris Jones: Delcastle - Jacquetta May, Karena Puckham, Bianca Parker, Asley Robbins; Caravel - Dara Taylor, Janell Dunham, Courtney Meggliocco, Ellie Rollins; Middletown - Chelsea Davis, Morgan Tayor, Ashleigh Bond; Dover - Jasmine Legree, A. Roberson; Sanford - Alexa Webb, Andrea Hines, Amber Genwright, Naiesha Brown, Allison Kinney, Olivia Peeke; St. Mark's - Annie Rivituso, Alison Zimny, Lindsay Nichols; Brandywine - Jordann Duncan, Paige Chapman, Aja Brooks; Smyrna - Betnijah Laney; Ceasar Rodney - Courtney Bayard; Sussex Central - Kelly Whaley; Padua - Katie Jezyk, Kristen Marbury, Erin Pitcher; Ursuline - Kelsey Miller, Brianna Collins, Kelley Doogan; St. E's - Alex Massado, Alexis Swarter, Anna Tiberi; Concord - Bria Graham, Ashleigh Roberts; Charter - Sunny Jones, K. Perillo; Glasgow - T.T. Turner, Jazzlyn Grimes, Carlisse Brown.
Marcus Thompson: Though the race is wide open this year, there are definite frontrunners in the race to the title. Among the top contenders are Caravel, Hodgson, Delcastle, Middletown and Smyrna. Caravel is led by Dara Taylor. Dara is a Maryland signee who has the ability to lead her team to the title by herself with her extreme athleticism. The good part is she won't have to because of her strong returning cast plus three new transfers who all possess size and skill. Hodgson is back from a semi-final season with a boatload of talent and desire. Jones, Furrowh and Chambers lead a team loaded with experience and skill. DelCastle is led by player of the year candidate Jaquetta May. May is accompanied by a large group of athletic seniors. Middletown is led by the return of Chelsea Davis who should rule the middle this year. Davis will have a lot of support from Morgan Taylor who will be in charge of getting Davis the ball as often as possible. Lastly, Smyrna has youth, skill and arguably the best young player or perhaps the best player in the state in Betnijah Laney. Laney is a phenom who has the skills to do at all at every position. If you add Hilliard at center, a few more skilled players and an energized new head coach, they could be dangerous come tournament time. These teams would certainly be considered as the favorites going in but they, too, will be challenged. Schools with strong histories of success should be taken seriously as well. I wouldn't overlook teams like St. Mark's, CR or Dover. They just have too much history of competitive basketball to ignore. I guess what I'm saying is that it’s wide open this year and it should be fun.
Kristin Caldwell: Middletown - Chelsea Davis will be an absolute force in the state this year and their point guard is a solid ball handler and defender. Delcastle - Jacquetta May and other experienced players are back; athletic and good rebouding team. Hodgson - Their guards can shoot. They play their zone well and they are used to playing together. St. Marks - Always tough; GREAT defensively; very disciplined. They don't have much size, but they are relentless on the boards. Ursuline - Kelly Doogan is a great player. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the team responds this year.
Thom Quann: I think their are quite a few teams that deserve mention. The Catholic Conference is always strong even when loosing players to graduation, so many girls dream of playing for those schools that they can reload from year to year. St. Mark's, St. E's, Padua and YES, Ursuline, are all well coached with young ladies who can play the game. So, all of those will be fitted for "racing shoes" along with Caravel, Middletown, Sanford, Sussex Central, Cape Henlopen, Hodgson, Caesar Rodney, Dover, Smyrna and Delcastle. Charter, Newark, Penn, Glasgow and Christiana are always formidable opponents and look improved. Brandywine gained quite a bit of experience with their run last season and that always helps the underclass girls improve. Laurel has some nice players as does the Diamond State Conference, who will also find their way to the race track. I'm impressed with the coaches of the teams mentioned and with ones not mentioned (Wes Townsend at Sussex Tech comes to mind), so it will be an interesting season with well-played games EVERY night up and down the state.
DGB: Tell us about your own team. Explain to our website’s visitors why DGB.com is right to include your team on a short list of potential ‘08/’09 State Champions.
Chris Jones: Well in my humble opinion, I think it's because we will return 6 seniors from last season's final four team. Last Season, (2007-08) was a great campaign, but that is all history now. We expect to be competitive, play with determination, learn from each contest and improve daily. Our hope is to stay healthy, make the field of 24 at regular season's end, play with confidence and experience at the right times. Our returning players are Tiffany Anderson (jr.), Sironda Chambers (sr.), Lakeshia Chambers (sr.), Chanae Council (sr.), Alyssa Cuomo (so.), Ericka Furrowh (sr.), Alexis Gregory (sr.), Asha Jones (sr.), Coreenah Redden (so.) and Ashley Rogers (jr.).
Marcus Thompson: Our team has the potential to be very competitive come tournament time. The team returns from back to back semi-final appearances. Our team has a nice blend of youth and experience. The girls had a successful summer campaign, which could prove beneficial if the team can gel while mastering a new style of play. The players include Alexa Webb, who returns as a combo guard that can run an offense or battle for a strong rebound in the paint. This is Alexa's third year and she will be looked to for on-the-court leadership. Alexa will be joined by Naiesha Brown, who could turn into one the best players in the state if she continues to progress. Allison Kenney returns to man the middle. Allison is a combo forward who can post and shoot to the three-point line when available. Olivia Peeke and Megan Brown look to compete at the guard position. Both players are outside shooters who are becoming better defenders each day. Add this group to last year's JV players and this looks to be a competitive team who understands how hard they will need to work to win the conference and return to The Bob.
Kristin Caldwell: We will have depth at most positions this year; Newcomers - Arielle Chard (12th grade, 5'11' Forward), O'Hara Chard (9th grade, 5'11'' Forward), and Courtney Migliocco (11th grade, 5'11'' Forward); obviously our new players give us some size that we have lacked since I've been the coach. All three will contribute. Returning players include senior (and Maryland bound) Dara Taylor. She is going to be amazing this season! Also returning, senior Janell Dunham. She had a good summer, and I'm looking for her to be a consistent contributor at both ends of the floor. A talented junior class includes Jess Roarty, Liz Wise, Ashley Bonk, Sherrise Peterson, and Ellee Rollins. Can’t forget sophomore Mac Chrisco (coming off of an ACL, but she is working hard to get back).
We are extremely excited about the potential of this team and can't wait to get in the gym every day to play together and improve.
Thom Quann: Delcastle has a veteran group of tournament-tested players returning, with Top 10 North All-State Jaquetta May, All-Conference defender-extraordinaire Ashley Robbins, and All-State Bianca Parker as the leaders. Lindsay Hsu, Maria Talarowski, Pereisha Waters, Krista Hsu, Kira Williams and Thai-Eisha Comegys are all extremely experienced players that will add to a deep rotation. Tasheema Cephas, Jnay Spady and Shakeera Wooten have the skills necessary to really help the Lady Cougars be a tough opponent for every team we face.
DGB: Do you have any rookies or new transfer athletes worth mentioning?
Chris Jones: Newcomer: Kiersten Fauntleroy (so.) transferred from St. Mark's.
Marcus Thompson: Our program is excited to have two new additions this year who could make an immediate impact. Andrea Hines comes to Sanford for her sophomore year. She has unlimited potential and a desire to prove that she is a player to be noticed. She can play either guard position. She can distribute the ball and she can score. Her best asset is her competitiveness and her love of the game. Amber Genwright also joins our program this year. She is a talented freshman who is a natural point guard. Amber has a great feel for the game. She has a knack for scoring, but her best asset is that she is a born leader. She will make those around her better for years to come. Her leadership qualities may be hereditary as she is the sister of Jawan Carter who will be starring for Coach Ross at the U of D this year. All in all, these two will grow together this year. If they are quick studies, they could help the team to a very good season this year.
Jim Charles - DelGirlsHoops@aol.com