Women’s Notebook – First-year Players of Note
By Stephen Zerdelian
The first portion of the season is done and dusted, with everyone off for the mandatory holiday break until Saturday the 30th. Thus, it’s a good time to turn the spotlight onto the new players in the region – those in their first season of college basketball.
Transfer portals and extra COVID years have dominated rosters on the men’s side of the spectrum, but the women’s side is not immune to excessive movement, either. That’s not meant to be a negative necessarily, but it does mean that there are far more moving parts than in previous years. The intention here is to identify some of the top first-year players in the region. Generally, of course, this means true freshmen, players who last winter were still in high school.
Some of us long for the days of roster cohesion, of a world where you know a roster will grow and evolve slowly but steadily, with seniors moving on and freshman moving in – one four-year cycle following another. Some love the active, occasionally frantic nature of transfers and players being able to move with fewer restrictions. Again, this space isn’t advocating for one over another; this item is purely to dial in on promising first-year players.
This isn’t designed to be a comprehensive list, especially since it’s not even mid-season yet, but it’s at least a start. With that in mind, introducing…
Jalea Abrams, Queens (5-8, Elmira, NY)
Abrams is playing a team-high 37 minutes a game, has made a QC-best 19 three-pointers and averages 11.1 ppg. Safe to say she, along with fellow rookie Nkiru Awaka (below), have taken advantage of ample minutes available due to an injury-riddled roster.
“Jalea is one of our top scorers and while still learning shot selection, she really can shoot the ball. She has great basketball IQ and court vision. Her sister is Zaria Thomas who had a great career at STAC, and I believe she has a great career ahead of her,” Bet Naumovski, Queens head coach.
Isabella Ascencio, Adelphi (5-4, Middle Park, NJ)
This backcourt player has carved out a role with the Panthers, playing 24 minutes a contest (with one start) and ranking fourth on the team in scoring (7.7 ppg)
Nkiru Awaka, Queens (6-0, New Hyde Park, NY)
Awaka (12.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 50% FG) is a five-time ECC Rookie of the Week (and was injured another week, so couldn’t win that one!), whose brother, Tobe, plays for Tennessee and was a member of the U19 United States basketball team.
“Nkiru helps us in every category, she can score, is an exceptional defender and rebounder, and an excellent athlete who can guard all positions on the floor. With all the season-ending injuries (four) we've had this season, our freshman (Awaka and Abrams, especially) have been thrown into the fire and are having to grow up in a hurry,” Bet Naumovski, Queens head coach.
Sophie Auer, Daemen (5-8, Lewiston, NY)
On a Wildcat unit that has veteran depth on the perimeter, Auer has been able to get minutes (14 mpg) and contribute to the team.
“Sophie is coming off the bench for us as we have seniors in those (her) positions, so her stats and minutes are not anything that would catch your eye, but she brings a great spark and toughness to our team,’ Jenepher Banker, Daemen head coach.
Ruzgar Christina Boyle, AIC (5-9, Istanbul, Turkey)
Boyle has helped address a glaring need for shooting at AIC (14 ppg; 23 three-pointers at 36%) and flashes a tidy all-around game, too.
“Ruzgar is from Turkey and played high school ball in Utah for two seasons, where she was the top three-point shooter percentage wise in the state her junior year. We were the worst three-point shooting team in the NE10 last year and knew we needed a shooter, and we got very lucky to sign her. Ruzgar has exceeded our expectations so far this season and we are excited to see her continue to improve,” Kristen Hutchison, AIC head coach.
Bailey Chapman, St. Thomas Aquinas (5-9, Sparta, NJ)
Another deep and experienced team, STAC usually doesn’t make room for freshmen, but Chapman has earned five starts and plays 20 minutes a game, which shows her value to the team.
Maci Covello, Felician (5-9, Kearney, NJ)
Covello doesn’t generate the numbers her fellow Golden Falcon freshmen might have but she has had an impact on the program, nonetheless. She is one of four Felician rookies noted here (below) and on a team that had playing time abundantly available, Covello (15mpg) is one of many to have stepped in seamlessly.
“Maci has a great basketball IQ and isn’t afraid of hard work. She is always looking to improve on her game,” Steve Fagan, Felician head coach.
Emma Dahl, Assumption (5-8, Quincy, MA)
Earning playing time on the defending regional champions is difficult but Dahl, a guard with size, has grabbed six starts, plays almost 23 minutes a game and adds 5.6 points per game to the Greyhounds cause.
Mia Fuller, Wilmington (5-5, Bronx, NY)
No doubt it has been a tough season for the Wildcats but Fuller has emerged as their top scorer to date (7.9 ppg) and will benefit from her substantial floor exposure as time goes along.
Amber Furch, St. Michael’s (5-5, Los Angeles, CA)
Joining her sister Brianna (a junior) on the Purple Knight roster, Furch only leads the team in scoring (10.1 ppg) and is one of three SMC players to have started all ten games.
“Amber came to us from Los Angeles and was wildly under recruited! She’s put up some great numbers for us on the offensive end while also doing some great stuff on the defensive end. A really fun player to watch and someone to certainly keep an eye on,” Shannon Bollhardt, St. Michael’s head coach.
Caraline Herb, Chestnut Hill (5-8, Birdsboro, PA)
Going a bit under the radar when compared to teammate Bridie McCann (below), Herb has tossed in over seven points a game and has canned 17 three-pointers, second on the combine.
Deviney Jackson, Felician (5-8, Long Island City, NY)
As another key rookie, energy and defense (along with 5.8 ppg and 4 rpg) in 16 minutes a game is what Jackson bring to the table for the Golden Falcons.
“Jackson loves to play defense and is always a spark when she hits the floor,” Steve Fagan, Felician head coach.
Isabella Javier, Dominican (5-7, Bergenfield, NJ)
Javier has grown into a prominent role in the Charger backcourt, playing in all ten games and netting over six points per contest.
“She has stepped up and been the vital part of our rotation,” Bill Diener, Dominican head coach.
Safiatu Kolliegbo, Georgian Court (5-8, Willingboro, NJ)
An extremely athletic player, Kolliegbo (and fellow rookie Niyel McCargo, below) has been a boon for an injury-ravaged Lions team. Kolliegbo is averaging almost 35 minutes a game, scoring just under 14 points a night and grabbing 5.6 rebounds a game.
“Our freshmen Safiatu Kolliegbo and Niyell McCargo would probably look much better if we had our (complete) team. Safiatu would have been a starter and Niyell would have been our 6th woman,” Jazz Perazic, Georgian Court head coach.
Jahnel Lewis, Caldwell (5-3, Jersey City, NJ)
Stepping right into the mix, Lewis is second on the Cougars in scoring (13.3 ppg) and leads them in steals (11) while running the show for 29 minutes a game.
“Lewis, our starting point guard, is averaging over 13 ppg and can really score it. I believe she will get better and better as she gets more experience under her belt,” Christie Conforti, Caldwell head coach.
Niyell McCargo, Georgian Court (5-6, North Brunswick, NJ)
McCargo hasn’t racked up the stats like her teammate Kolliegbo has but she’s been a solid contributor for the Lions just the same, adding 7.4 points and five rebounds per game to the team while nabbing a dozen steals. She’s also started four games for GCU.
Kara Meredith, Holy Family (6-0, Huntingdon Valley, PA)
Holy Family has a passel of depth on the roster, yet Meredith has found her way into the rotation, playing over 11 minutes a game. Even though it may not show this season, there’s much more to come from her.
“Kara has been a tremendous addition to our team, and we are very lucky to have her in our program. She joined a strong veteran core group of players, and it already feels like he has been here for years. She has brought a "championship hate-to-lose mentality" and has been all in since day 1, adding a great IQ, length on defense and another sharp-shooter to our roster. Kara can score both inside and outside and has impacted many games so far this season,” Bernadette Laukaitis, Holy Family head coach.
Bridie McCann, Chestnut Hill (5-6, Drexel Hill, PA)
McCann played 10 minutes in two games at Siena last season so still considered a true freshman, which allows inclusion here. She’s been terrific from the get-go for the Griffins, leading them in scoring (15.1 ppg), shooting nearly 50% and making 25 triples while absorbing a heavy workload (32 mpg).
Niya Morgen, Bentley (5-9, Swampscott, MA)
An explosive guard, Morgen has helped the Falcons to a solid start, averaging 8.3 ppg despite missing two games and parts of others with injury. If she gets and stays healthy, she adds an element the Falcons require for a successful post season run.
“Niya is already one of our hardest workers, she fits in right away and is always in the gym. She is just an overall athlete who will help us on both ends of the floor. Niya moves well laterally and offensively she is so versatile. She can get to the rim and finish under pressure, and she is an A-list three-point shooter,” C White, Bentley head coach.
Katherine Ritchie, Felician (5-11, Mentone, Victoria, Australia)
Ritchie has been one of the region’s top freshmen, playing nearly 34 minutes a game, shooting 47% and compiling steady numbers (11.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg and a team-best 21 steals) for the revamped Golden Falcons.
“Katherine’s attitude and love for the game has brought an energy that is becoming contagious amongst the team,” Steve Fagan, Felician head coach.
Ane Valle, Felician (5-11, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain)
A 5-11 wing from Spain, Valle has been active and lively all over the court. She’s impacted the game every night, putting up 11.1 ppg and hauling in over five boards a night while shooting just under 50% overall.
“Her game speaks for itself - she makes it look so effortless,” Steve Fagan, Felician head coach.
Abby Wager, Southern New Hampshire (5-10, Mansfield, MA)
Playing 17 minutes off the bench while being tidy (11/4 assist/turnover ratio) and effective, Wager has managed to impact the Penmen lineup despite a logjam of veterans on the roster.
“Abby is contributing right away for us. Although she missed the Bridgeport game due to illness, she has been very efficient for us as our fourth leading scorer (7.6 ppg) and is shooting 49% overall and 33% from three-point land,” Karen Pinkos, Southern New Hampshire head coach.
Katie Yoder, Goldey-Beacom
Yoder leads the youthful Lightning in scoring (15ppg), minutes (31.2 mpg) and at the line (56-73 FT) while snaring over five boards a game, illustrating her skill set and adaptability.
“Katie is a versatile player that has a high basketball IQ and can score at all three levels. She comes from a basketball family where her three brothers and father all played, including her brother Sean, who played at Navy,” Bethann Burke, Goldey-Beacom head coach.
These are just some of the fresh(man) faces in the region to keep an eye one. Injury, a long season and rotational matters may mean some drop off while others find their footing but for now, this rookie crop looks to be a good one, now and into the future.
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As we hit the Division II holiday break, a quick look at the non-conference records indicates that, once again, the NE10 is the dominant force in the region. The NE10 boasts an amazing 43-11 ledger in non-league games, going 13-4 against the CACC and 28-5 mark against the ECC. Next on the list is the ECC, which has compiled a 34-38 non-league record, while the CACC is last with a 33-71 mark. In their meetings, the ECC leads the CACC, 22-12.
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This space will be back after Chrsitmas with a mid-season check on the top teams and their in-depth numbers.
Until then, Happy Holidays!