Donald Beasley, women?s basketball coach at Morgan State University, didn?t land any recruits prior to his first season with the Bears. Now, he is making up for lost time.
Beasley welcomes seven scholarship recruits to a program in need of both athleticism and size. This recruiting class has a touch of both, including two potential starters for the upcoming season.
Despite the infusion of raw talent, Beasley remains cautiously optimistic. “We?re not going to get too overzealous,” he said. “Freshmen are freshmen.”
These incoming freshmen include potential starting point guard Corin Adams, who averaged 20 points per game in high school. Another standout is 6-foot-3 Brandi Williams, who averaged a double-double at the prep level.
“The class is rated in the top 100 in the country, and I don?t think that?s been done around here in women?s sports, probably ever,” second-year assistant Donchez Graham said.
Beasley hopes it will bolster the patchwork group that went 5-23 last season. “It was rough,” he said.
Beasley said this season?s strength will be at guard. Senior Whitney Johnson, who averaged 13.5 points per game as a junior, will be the Bears? top returning player. Beasley looks for the Detroit native to utilize her speed in getting in the lane and creating scoring chances, particularly late in games.
Aside from a pair of seniors, the Bears lose underclassmen Alexis Martin, Victoria Jones, Jennyffer Vargas and Monet Johnson (Southside Academy).
Also departing is assistant coach Desiree Peterkin, who will be replaced by Alicia Clarke, a graduate assistant last season. Beasley said Clarke is a good communicator with players.
While the addition of seven freshmen will provide a backbone for the team?s future, Graham says the Bears will make strides this season.
“We could win 15, 16 games,” Graham said. “If they gel and really get some things happening, we?ll be OK.”
MORGAN?S BEAR CUBS
A look at incoming Morgan State players:
» Corin Adams, (Madison High, N.Y.), 5-7 guard
» Ciara Banks, (H.D. Woodson, D.C.), 6-0 guard
» Kim Blankney (Benjamin Banneker Academy, N.Y.), 5-11 guard
» Phylicia Jones, (Petersburg High, Va.), 6-0 forward
» Aaries Reed, (Westlake High, Md.), 5-10 guard
» Mahala Thomas (Cumberland Valley High, Pa.), 5-10 guard
» Brandi Williams, (Wilson Hunt High, N.C.), 6-3 forward/center
