Women’s basketball has opened the 2020-2021 season with a new coach, new players, and a new sense of determination.
“Coming into this year with a lot of new faces, we knew this whole process we are in would take us some time. It’s been a big mixture of everybody just getting used to personalities [and] expectations for this program,” Head Coach Randall-Lay said.
Currently the Eagles are 2-7 and on a five game losing streak that includes back-to-back losses to High Point, back-to-back losses to Campbell, and a loss against USC Upstate.
Randall-Lay frequently reminds her team to “not get caught up in the scoreboard or wins–loss column,” and to “be patient with [her] and be patient with the program.” With just five returning players and eight newcomers, this season has been an adjustment for everyone.
“When you have a significant amount of people leave, you are starting back over again. We are all new, trying to establish the culture and reestablish this program, so that’s where we have had some really great moments and some growing moments,” Randall-Lay said.
Returner Anika Riley played all 30 games in the 2019-2020 season and completed the season leading with 207 total rebounds and 188 points. She has begun her senior year just as strong, having already collected 53 rebounds and maintained an overall shooting percentage of .413.
Sophomore Myra Strickland is destroying the score boards with a total of 79 points, 24 of which she scored in the season’s opening match against Wofford. Strickland scored almost half of her team’s points that day despite the Terriers defeating the Eagles 65-50.
“Right now we are trying to see who can manage and handle playing at that level and what is required to be a starter or to be just a key player coming off the bench and contributing,” Randall-Lay said.
Before arriving at Winthrop, freshman guard J’mani Ingram was a three-time state champion and a two-time all-state player. With a .536 shooting percentage and a total of 37 points, Ingram is off to a steady start to her first collegiate season. In a close match ending in USC Upstate’s favor on Dec. 18, she scored a personal best of 11 points.
Returners Sydney Hunter, a sophomore forward, and Maleeah Langstaff, a junior guard/forward, are more determined than ever to contribute to their growing team.
Hunter already has 65 rebounds, exceeding the 45 that she secured throughout 19 games during the 2019-2020 season. Leading the team in rebounds, her personal best was 13 on Dec. 17, when the Eagles defeated USC Upstate 59-54.
Langstaff has racked up a total of 66 points so far this season, including a season-high of 18 points against College of Charleston on Dec. 8. She also leads the team with six blocks and twelve steals.
“I think the biggest thing is continuing to trust the process. I know we live in a world where we are result driven. When you are part of building or reestablishing things you have to go through some really really tough times,” Randall-Lay said.
Although fans are unable to join in on the fun around the court, Randall-Lay does not believe this has interfered with the performance and outcome of games.
“I always believe you create your own energy. I’m sure our student-athletes would appreciate their parents and friends being there to give them that extra oomph, but it has been an adjustment,” Randall-Lay said.
Randall-Lay is thankful for ESPN’s choice to televise the games on ESPN+ so families can watch from home and the team can use the film to reflect on games and help improve their performance.
“We are in a place where we just have to be grateful for the little things and this college program for us, just being grateful to have that opportunity to play,” Randall-Lay said.
The Eagles will play next at Longwood on Jan. 15 and 16 at 6:00 pm. Their next home games are against Charleston Southern at 6:00 pm on Jan. 29 and 4:00 pm on Jan. 30.
Photo courtesy of Winthrop Athletics
