As The Coliseum lights gleamed, Winthrop’s women’s basketball team did as well.
The Eagles got their first taste of the 2019-2020 season in an exhibition matchup against the Crusaders of North Greenville University on Nov. 5.
The team played well in their lone preseason matchup, winning 79-46.
The game provided fans a preview of what this season will bring and included strong showings from many of the team’s members.
Sophomore guard Jah’Che Whitfield went 6 for 12 on the night, continuing with the trend of her performance during her freshman campaign.
Sydney Buckley, a sophomore guard, played 17 minutes in the matchup and connected on four of five goals from the field.
Marissa Cantrell, one of the team’s four seniors, also had a great showing during the preseason battle.
After missing a year due to injury, Cantrell is glad to be back and ready to contribute to her team.
“It feels great to be back on the court and back healthy. I feel like my old self again,” Cantrell said.
Cantrell shot at 55-percent from the field over 22 minutes and hopes to keep the same momentum throughout the remainder of the season.
“This year I just want to help my team any way I can, whether it’s getting a steal, rebound, assist, or scoring,” Cantrell said.
The Eagles scored in multiple ways during the exhibition game, but the fast breaks especially made for thrilling plays. Cantrell said that this factor will be a crucial part of the game plan.
“This year we are going to be a running team, more aggressive on defense, and just overall more exciting to watch,” Cantrell said.
Not only does Cantrell say that fans should expect more excitement, but also an energized season.
“I am hoping that we keep up the energy and continue to work together because teams are going to get better as we move through the season,” Cantrell said.
The team is entering the third season lead by Head Coach Lynette Woodard.
In their first season with Woodard at the helm, the team went 3-27. The next season the Eagles went 10-20. Now with a good mixture of new faces, second year returners and veterans, this team is eyeing some big goals.
Miquela Santoro came into this season with 35 starts to her name. Now, as one of the senior leaders, Santoro is eager about taking on a leadership role this season.
“I am excited but also nervous, but I get nervous before every game,” Santoro said. “We have done a lot of preparation on and off the court for the games coming up, and it is exciting that we finally get to show everyone what we have been working on.”
Like Cantrell, Santoro notes that there will be renewed energy oozing from the program this season.
“I think the program will bring more energy to the Coliseum this year,” Santoro said. “We have new faces on the staff and player sides, and it will be exciting to see how everyone works together.”
The Eagles played their official home opener against the Iona College Gaels on Nov. 9.
The game was back and forth up until a 14 point run by the Eagles in the second quarter.
Just as in the exhibition, transition offense was key for Winthrop in the first half — scoring 12 fast break points throughout the entire matchup.
Before the game, Whitfield noted the importance of the Eagles fast break offense.
“Transition will be very important because that’s what we work on a lot in practice — fast breaks,” Whitfield said.
Points scored off pushes down the court helped Winthrop take an 11 point lead into the locker room at half time.
Whitfield also said that the game plan stressed defense and making stops.
“Individually and as a team, we need to play good enough defense because this team is full of three-point shooters,” Whitfield said.
Despite holding the Gaels to 25-percent shooting from beyond the arc during the first half, Iona would come out of the locker room after halftime in a different form.
The Gaels went 9 for 15 from the three-point line through the third and fourth quarters. The trail of threes would carry Iona to a seven-point win over the Eagles, 68-61.
Highlights for Winthrop, as they dropped the home opener, came from Whitfield and Buckley — scoring 21 and 11 points, respectively.
The Eagles will look to capitalize on their strengths and learn from their blunders as the season continues.
Photo: Gabby Gardner/ The Johnsonian
