After seven Eagles chose not to return to the women’s basketball team for the 2020-21 season, and another three graduated, Coach Semeka Randall Lay has finally built her team back up. Now with a total of thirteen players on the roster, the team is one step closer to victory.
In terms of why such a large number of student-athletes departed, it is hard to pinpoint an exact reason, but Randall Lay could only assume they were “looking for something else.”
“Sometimes what they think they are going to get, isn’t what the college experience is all about. Sometimes it’s academically, sometimes they leave and think they want to be far away from home and they realize they miss their family,” Randall Lay said.
The six returning players are joined by freshmen Kensley Benjamin, Antoaneta Alexe, Shakyra Harley and J’Mani Ingram, senior transfer Alexis Sykes, junior transfer Jaelyn Royal and graduate transfer Madison Ervin.
With a mix of new and returning students, Randall Lay is working hard to help the team bond and train to become a successful team.
“We’re definitely in a growing place in terms of seeing what people are able to do on the floor, so it’s seeing that this particular kid can shoot the basketball really, really well or this kid likes to drive or she’s a really solid defender, so it’s a work in progress,” Randall Lay said.
The Eagles are working with about two and a half hours of practice time since COVID-19 regulations keep their schedule limited.
“We’re introducing a lot of new things so I’m treating it as if our returners are new to me. We’re trying to implement a whole new system right now,” Randall Lay said.
After being named Interim Head Coach in June, Randall Lay only had two months to fill her roster before the semester began. Despite now having 13 players on the roster, Randall Lay wants other students to have the opportunity to try out for the Division I team.
“[Are] there kids or student-athletes out there that we possibly missed? And by getting the job late and having to fill a roster, there may be something out there that we are able to grab this season to hold us over… you never know, somebody might surprise us,” Randall Lay said.
Anyone with basketball skills and experience who is also doing well academically is welcome to attend walk-on tryouts.
“I am looking for the right fit. I’m not trying to simply recruit bodies but trying to find kids that can bring something different to our team,” Randall Lay said.
Before attending tryouts, Randall Lay wants potential players to remember that joining a Division I team means sacrificing a lot of time, but being part of a high-paced environment can be extremely rewarding.
“I think when you’re trying out for a team you shouldn’t expect anything but come into this situation where you’re grateful for the opportunity. It’s a lot to be a Division I athlete in terms of time management, the commitment, being sore, the travel,” Randall Lay said.
Although trying out may seem intimidating, Randall Lay wants students thinking of trying out to know that she truly loves connecting with her players as they “keep [her] relatable,” and she looks forward to anyone willing to take that chance in joining the program.
Since finishing the 2019-20 season in seventh place in the Big South, the Eagles and Randall Lay hope this new team dynamic leads to a triumphant season.
Students interested in showing off their skills to Randall Lay and trying out for the women’s basketball team should contact longa@winthrop.edu for more information and follow @winthropwbb on Instagram and Twitter for updates.
Photo by Olivia Esselman
