The Super 75 – Centers
I have been blessed to be able to watch/follow/report on this region (and the whole of Division 2) for the better part of more than three and a half decades. My first season covering the region (in the guises of New England, Northeast and now East) was 1984-’85, so my memory banks are full to bursting. Having seen so many great players, the thought crossed my mind – how can I recognize the ones I considered the best? Of course, this is all subjective. Defining the ‘best’ is an impossible task under even ideal circumstances, so I knew right away that I had to create a set of parameters…
- First and foremost is that I actually had to see this player in action, in person. Not video, not reputation – actually see that player as a D2 player in living color.
- The player had to be playing on a team that was part of the D2 region (New England, Northeast or East) during at least a part of their playing days.
- No current active players considered, only players that has exhausted their eligibility.
Here are the first four editions of the women’s Super 75…
https://www.d2easthoops.org/women/features/Super_75/The_Super_75_-_Intro_and_Point_Guards
https://www.d2easthoops.org/women/features/Super_75/The_Super_75_-_Shooting_Guards
https://www.d2easthoops.org/women/features/Super_75/The_Super_75_-_Superstar_Wings
https://www.d2easthoops.org/women/features/Super_75/The_Super_75_-_The_4-s
The final regional category is the women in the middle, the centers. While there are a glut of great players at the wing and it was difficult to decide on just 15, the pivot debate was even harder. There are so many greats in this part of regional history, I struggled badly to cut it down to size. Yet, somehow, I managed it, although not without a little guilt. These are the true pivots; players that used size, skill and desire to hold the fort in the paint. Scoring is part of it but rebounding, defense and shot-blocking all come into the reckoning. This grouping of players had plenty of success both as individuals and within a team concept, so their presence made a difference. Time to dive in…
Arguably the most imposing defensive deterrent in regional history was Evija Azace, a 6-5 center who patrolled the lane like a pterodactyl for Saint Rose (’99). The native of Riga, Latvia was able to play only 86 games over three-plus seasons due to injury but what an impact she had. Azace was a solid post scorer with a neat touch and used her length, timing and athleticism to reject 323 shots, an average of 2.7 per game, second-best in Division II history. Her ’96 NCAA tourney stat line against Stonehill (17 points, 14 blocks, 11 boards) was one of the most eye-popping ones I ever saw. Her Golden Knights teams won the NYCAC crown every season she played, and she took home two tourney MVP awards along the way. Azace closed her career with 1,180 points and 649 rebounds, and shot 59% from the floor to go with the rejections and countless altered shots. A two-time NYCAC All-Star, Azace was a unique factor on the court and forced opponents to respect her presence.
There have been few centers in regional history that twinned brute force and a velvet perimeter touch with as much aplomb as Kelly Barker (Bentley, ’01). The 6-1 product of Billerica, Massachusetts was a quick contributor to some great Falcon teams, leading the club in rebounding as a rookie and making four clutch free throws at the end of the regional final in ’98 to help Bentley to the Elite Eight. She soon became a focal point of the attack and helped Bentley to four NCAA appearances, 120 wins (and just 13 setbacks) and four NE10 crowns during her tenure. Barker, who canned 118 three-pointers in her career, ended with 1,800 points (#3 at Bentley) and 1,120 rebounds (#2) while shooting well from the line (490-648 FT, both #3) and 42.9% from deep (#2), detailing her extremely varied tool box. A three-time NE10 All-Star, Barker earned the ’01 NE10 Player of the Year and WBCA All-American honors to cap a sensational career. Skilled, tough and unyielding, Barker’s resume stacks up with any in regional annals.
As Holy Family grew from an NAIA program to newly minted NCAA Division II program, they had a core of players who helped make them a power, including pivot Megan Bauer (’07). The 6-3 product of Norwood, Pennsylvania was mainly a reserve as an underclass player (but a vital one) before blowing up as a junior. Bauer nabbed CACC co-Player of the Year accolades as a junior and developed into a force at both ends. She helped the Tigers reach four CACC title games (splitting the pair) and four NCAA tournaments, and played a key part in their first two NCAA victories (one each in ’06 and ’07). Holy Family racked up a glitzy 111-16 record during her career and she still holds program records in rebounds (957) and blocked shots (289). Bauer also sits near the top of the HFU lists in scoring (1,255 points, #6), field goals (492, #4) and shooting percentage (53.7%, #4). A fine scorer, deft shooter, defensive stalwart and mobile paint option, Bauer set a high bar for all future Tiger interior players.
The long and glorious lineage of Bentley post players includes many true greats and there is no doubt that Danielle Chaisson (’98) is primary among them. Although her numbers were more than exemplary, including 1,728 points (#5 at Bentley), 218 blocked shots (#2) and 682 field goals (#4), Chaisson sublimated her game for the betterment of the team and was richly rewarded. The 6-footer from Norwood, Massachusetts helped the Falcons win three regional titles and a pair of NE10 crowns while posting a 107-20 record over her four-year span. Chaisson was a three-time NE10 All-Star (twice a 1st team pick) and bookended her career with NE10 Rookie and Player of the Year awards. Her mobility and the diversification of her game helped Bentley rule the roost in the region and she closed her senior year by leading the team in scoring four of her last five games, from the NE10 tourney to the Elite Eight. Chaisson proved her worth every season and remains a standard-bearer for the Falcons and the region.
Bryant enjoyed a long and fruitful history in the region before reclassifying to Division I a little more than a decade ago, and they had a number of excellent pivots leading the way. With respect to Karyn Marshall (’86), the choice here is Liz Davies (’96), a mobile and fierce player who helped guide the Bulldogs from a down period into a prosperous one. Davies (6-0, from Andover, Massachusetts) was a punishing post player, a little undersized but able to use leverage and great footwork to get the job done. She was the NE10 Rookie of the Year in ’93 and followed that up with three 1st team All-Star appearances. A career that yielded 2,059 points (still #1 at Bryant), 1,159 rebounds (#2) and a 55.7% rate from the floor relays Davies’ effectiveness. After two 12-15 seasons, Bryant won 18 and 19 games in her last two years, made the NCAA’s in ’95 and won the ECAC title in ’96. Davies battled a string of fellow great posts in the mid-90’s NE10, more than held her own and earned everything – including this spot.
The traditional post player has evolved over the years and Bentley’s Jen Gemma (’17) is a great example of that gradual change. Her ability in the paint with either hand complemented her increased range over her four years and, as a rebounder and defender, Gemma (6-0, from Milton, Massachusetts) was outstanding. She was the most productive scorer in program history (2,151 points) and did the job on the glass (1,084 boards, #3), from the floor (781 field goals, #2) and at the line (509-656 FT, both #2), highlighting her adaptability. Gemma was a two-time NE10 Player of the Year and WBCA All-American winner, and was part of teams that went 101-28 in her four years, reaching a trio of NCAA tournaments. She was a key reserve as a freshman on the Falcons 2014 national title team and then was the central piece of a rebuilt Falcon unit that claimed a regional title in 2016. There may have been flashier players than Gemma but there were few with as much consistency, productivity and dependability.
Rachel Jackson (’85) was the first megastar in St. Anselm history and her impact lasts the test of time. The 6-1 North Easton, Massachusetts native was years ahead of her time as a powerful, active and highly skilled frontcourt leader for the Hawks. Jackson’s career consisted of only 105 games (75 wins), as St. A’s was not a full NE8 member until her sophomore season (when they went 22-6 and reached the conference tourney finals) but her numbers are exceptional. Only in 2020 was she surpassed as the program’s all-time scorer (#2 at 1,652 points) and she still holds numerous records such as rebounds (1,185), shooting percentage (52.1%), free throw attempts (553) and the single-game scoring (43 points against Dartmouth as a junior) and rebounding (26 as a freshman) marks. Jackson earned NE8 Player of the Year honors in ’85, was a three-time All-Star and a two-time Kodak All-American. In all candor, I only saw her twice in person but she made a major impression. Jackson, one of the region’s early superstars, retains a spot as such even now.
It’s difficult for me to believe that any player in regional history had a greater overall impact than Joy Jeter (New Haven, ’89). The 6-footer from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania led the Chargers to the ’87 national title, capping an MVP showing with a 30-point, 15-board explosion in the championship game, and that was just part of her legend. Jeter (2,229 points and 1,486 rebounds, both #1 in UNH annals and the latter #2 all-time in Division II; also tops at UNH with 246 blocks, 560 free throws and 869 field goals) was a three-time All-American, four-time NECC 1st team All-Star and three time NECC Player of the Year, basically owning the league. Jeter wasn’t that tall but a ferocious competitor, able to score anywhere from 15-feet in, rebound at will, use both hands and sprint the floor – she had it all. UNH went 102-21 in her tenure and made four NCAA trips to go with the region’s first national crown. Her penchant for finding ways to win was awesome and her legacy will never diminish. What a joy she was to watch, no pun intended.
Among the many Holy Family stars over the years, Erin Mann (’13) stood out to me as one who deserved more recognition. She was a magnificent mixture of skill, determination and desire that coalesced into a great player; the fact that the 6-1 product of West Chester, Pennsylvania could run the floor and rule the paint made for an impossible cover. Her numbers are excellent, as she stands in the top five HFU annals in scoring (1,881 points, #2), rebounds (916 boards), blocked shots (247 rejections) and foul shots (452-598, both #1) and she earned CACC Player of the Year and All-American honors as a senior to cap her career. The Tigers enjoyed plenty of success during her stint, claiming a pair of CACC crowns and four NCAA tournament berths while compiling a glittering 108-19 record. Stylistically, Mann showed the ability to score in the paint and mid-range and was a pillar at both ends of the floor for two different coaches. When the conversation turns to the all-time Holy Family greats, Mann must be part of the discourse.
Darlene Orlando-Ciarcia (Massachusetts-Lowell, ’94) was the epitome of a dominating interior player. The 6-2 product of Methuen, Massachusetts initially started her career at Missouri but returned to her home state, which proved to be a boon for both team and player. She led the Chiefs/River Hawks to four 20+ win seasons (90 wins), three NCAA trips and a pair of NECC titles. Orlando-Ciarcia, who utilized both power in the post and savvy in the mid-range, racked up a program-best total of 2,116 points while resting in the top five of the UML charts in multiple other areas (such as 1,058 boards and 299 rejections). Two NECC Player of the Year awards, a pair of All-American nods and three NECC 1st team All-Star picks are part of a glowing resume, which also includes a UML mark of 48 points in a single game. Orlando-Ciarcia’s showpiece, though, was her 36-point, 13-carom gem in the ’93 NCAA’s against Stonehill, as she led the program to their only regional final. Orlando-Ciarcia remains a regional giant in every way possible.
An explosive and mobile pivot, Stonehill’s Suzanne Patchett (’97) enjoyed a sensational career in both individual and team terms. The 6-2 Patchett (from Mansfield, Massachusetts) was at her best running the floor and canvassing the paint, more than capable at the rim (2,140 points, #2 at Stonehill), off the glass (1,165 boards, #1) and as the last line of defense (185 blocks, #3). She helped the Lady Chieftains to four NCAA’s, including the Elite Eight as a freshman and the Final Four as a sophomore, as well as claiming two NE10 titles. Patchett was a key part of teams that went 107-20, earned a ton of awards including two All-American spots and two major NE10 awards (Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year, the latter in ’97) and still holds a share of the single-game scoring mark at Stonehill (39). Finding post players that engulf the lane and run like a gazelle is all but impossible but Patchett was exactly that. One of the dominant players of her or any era, she was a guarantee for a place here. (Photo courtesy Doug Monson, Assistant Director of Athletics, Communications, Stonehill College)
The initial superstar in the region was Francine Perry (Quinnipiac, ’85), a dominant 6-2 post from Brooklyn, New York. Perry’s presence on the court propelled the Braves to a pair of national quarterfinal appearances (’84 and ’85) and made QC the heavyweight in the early days of the NECC (two-time champions). Her numbers more than endure the test of time, still topping the now-Division I program in points (1,855), rebounds (1,626, the all-time Division II record) and field goals (753), while adding 204 rejections to the resume. Perry was a two-time All-American, helped QC to a 91-27 record, was the first NECC Player of the Year ('85) and retains the Division II standard with 27.7 rpg as a freshman. I saw Perry once (’85 regionals) and she seemed to be playing a foreign game, as if she was from a different galaxy. That’s how imposing she was. There have been a number of other regional centers in the who’ve had a similar impact in the intervening years, but she was the original and that history must be preserved. (Photo courtesy Nick Sczerbinski, Associate Athletic Director, Athletic Communications, Quinnipiac University)
The most recent graduate to grace this list is Shannon Ryan (St. Anselm, ’20) but the fact she just finished her career does not dim her excellence. A 6-4 center from Plattsburgh, New York, Ryan played one year at Boston College before arriving in Manchester and settled quickly. She immediately became the focal point for the Hawk attack and compiled sensational numbers, ending her time in New Hampshire with 1,769 points (#1 at St. Anselm), 1,125 rebounds (#2), 748 field goals (#1) and 197 blocked shots (#3), while compiling 64 double-doubles, 3rd most in Division II history. She stacked up the awards as a senior (NE10 Player of the Year, multiple All-American awards) and was a 1st team NE10 choice every season. Ryan sustained a lot of punishment as a pure post but never let it affect her game and used her length and strong footwork to flourish, leading the Hawks to their first Elite Eight in ’19 as part of back-to-back 20-win seasons. Ryan may not have been flashy but she sure was effective, meaning she easily belongs on this list.
Dana Watts (AIC, ’19) brought a sense of elegance to the floor during her career, allowing observers to enjoy her skills in a variety of ways. Big, mobile post players are hard to come by but Watts (6-1, from Rochester, New York) was a central figure for the Yellow Jackets from the start. While toiling for good but not great teams (73 wins and one NCAA tournament appearance in her tenure), Watts rang up totals of 2,180 points (tops on the all-time Yellow Jacket list) and 1,165 rebounds while shooting 49% from the floor and 84% at the line (including AIC bests of 619-739 foul shooting totals). She was ultra-dependable, netting double digits in 87 of 89 games in her final three seasons and collecting 60 double-doubles, 10th in Division II history. Watts earned her rightful share of honors, including NE10 Player of the Year and WBCA All-American accolades as a senior, while picking up a trio of 1st team NE10 nods along the way. She would have shined in any era and deserves full recognition in this one. (Photo courtesy Seth Dussault, Coordinator of Athletic Communications, American International College)
One-year players were difficult to evaluate in this endeavor but it is impossible to ignore Danielle Wilson’s (’13) impact at Dowling during her sole season. The 6-3 pivot from Bay Shore, New York played three excellent years at Baylor (1,050 points) but due to injury/personal matters, she had one season of eligibility left upon returning home to New York and used it at Dowling. Wilson (who had 20 double-doubles that season and won ECC Player of the Year honors) helped them advance all the way to the national championship game with her mix of scoring (17 ppg), shot blocking and rebounding (12 rpg) prowess. Her put-back with 5.4 ticks left gave the Golden Lions a thrilling regional title win at Bentley and propelled Dowling to the title game, where Ashland finally ended the run. Wilson’s skill, intelligence and superlative defensive work (DC was one of the best defensive teams the region ever saw) was evident right away and made its mark. Wilson’s 34 games in the region (30 wins) registered in a major way and will resonate for a long time.
That’s the end of the regional Super 75 but we have an extra column next time, featuring greats from outside the region and from teams now in the region before they became part of the region (it’ll make sense!). Until then, questions, comments, ideas, rants? Glad to hear them. Email me at Anfield13@aol.com.