As Coach Donald Beasley tries to build the Morgan State women?s basketball team into a contender in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, he knows he?s going to need a “Tiny” bit of help.
Meet Corin ?Tiny? Adams. She?s a 5-foot-7 native of Brooklyn, N.Y., and will be counted on in an enormous way if the Bears are going to improve upon their best record in school history after going 18-13 and finishing one win away from advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time.
Adams quickly emerged as one of the best players in the MEAC, averaging a team-high 13.4 points per game to guide the Bears to 13 more victories last season than they earned the previous year when they finished 5-23.
“Corin won more games for us than I can count,” Beasley said. “She understands the game and how I want basketball to be played here. I?m not sure how many games we could have won without her last season.”
Beasley said he will have to rely on Adams even more this season with the addition of eight new players. Still, those in the MEAC believe Morgan State, which opens its season on Saturday at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore ? will contend for the conference title. The Bears are predicted to finish fourth in the 11-team league?s preseason poll conducted by coaches and sports information directors. Morgan State upset regular season champion Coppin State in the semifinals of conference tournament before losing to Delaware State in the championship game last year.
“We may have to take a step back before we take a step forward,” Beasley said. “We probably have more talent than we had last year, but I just don?t know what to expect from them.”
Adams said she was reluctant to take a leadership role last year because she was a freshman on an team filled with upperclassmen. But after being named to the conference?s second team, Adams has emerged as the team?s unquestioned leader.
“In the second half of the season, I started to handle being a leader better,” Adams said. “Beating Coppin was a big step for this team because we know if we can beat them there is no reason we can?t go all the way.”
Beasley said his team?s future is evenbrighter when a trio of Division I transfers are eligible to play after sitting out this season due to NCAA rules. Forward Zhondria Benn (Western) and guards Stacy Hunt (South River) and Erin Hawkins transferred from Georgetown, UMBC and Richmond, respectively.
“Getting three players with Division I playing experience like that,” Beasley said, “says a lot about where our program is going.”
Bears at a glance
» Coach: Donald Beasley (Third season, 23-36 overall.)
» Last Year: 18-13 overall, 11-7 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Lost to Delaware State, 55-42, in finals of the MEAC Tournament.
» Returning players: G Corin Adams, 5-7, 13.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg; F Phylicia Jones, 6-0, 2.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg; C Britney Griffin, 6-4, 5.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg.
» Top Newcomer: F Jasmine Sellers. The native of LaGrange, Ga., averaged 14 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game at Wabash Community College.
» Big Game: Jan. 5 at Coppin State. Morgan upset Coppin State, 69-67 in the semifinals of the MEAC Tournament. The loss denied the Eagles a chance to advance to the NCAA Tournament for a third straight year.
» Key to the Season: Adams. She is the team?s top player. The 5-foot-7 native of Brooklyn, N.Y., led the Bears in scoring, assists, steals and even blocks despite being one of the smallest players on the court.
» Tickets: $10. For information, call (443) 885-4018.
» Key number: 0 Appearances by Morgan State in the NCAA Tournament.
? Ron Snyder
