Women's Basketball

Howard Faces Key Opponent in MEAC Home Opener

             It is only the second conference game of the season, but Howard head basketball coach Cathy Parson is calling Wednesday's home game against rival Hampton University, "pivotal."

            "This game is huge for us in terms of where we are and where are going the rest of the season," said Parson.  "It is pivotal because a win gets the monkey off our backs and lays the foundation for what the future holds."

            The Lady Bison (0-11 overall, 0-1 in the MEAC) have played a brutal non-conference schedule that included Number 8 Ohio State and Number 10 LSU on the road.  But Coach Parson feels that despite the winless record, there are dividends in the future.

            "I think that the experience of playing such a tough schedule has taught us a lot of lessons and has helped us mature as a team," said Parson, who is in her seventh season.  "Now that we are playing at our level in conference play, I fully expect us to do well and turn things around."

            Howard has been led by the sterling play of junior guards Shannon Carlisle and Christina Aden.  Carlisle, who has emerged as one of the top guards in the conference over the past two seasons, leads the team in scoring (15.6 points per game), in assists (32) and in steals (45).  Parson cites her all-around play and decision-making as a key to the Lady's Bison's success against the Hampton vaunted full-court pressure.

            "As a point guard, Shannon is now beginning to really understand what we want her to do to make us successful," said Parson.  "We have to have leadership from that position and that is what she now gives us."

            Aden is second on the team in scoring (10.1 ppg), in assists (12) and in steals (12).

            "Chris has begun to take ownership for responsibility," added Parson.

            She continued, "Two players who may not be mentioned, but who figure to play an important role are Sequoya Moore and Courtney Smiley."  

Moore and Smiley, both 5-11 seniors, average almost eight points and five rebounds between them, but Parson says that it is more than numbers that define their contributions

            "Courtney and Seqouya, along with Shannon and Chris, all came into together, so they form the nucleus of what we are trying to do," explained Parson. "Sometimes players cannot just be measured by stats."  (Aden and Carlisle are red-shirt juniors instead of seniors because they missed a season due to injuries).

            Melloni Benson, a 6-2 senior pre-season All-MEAC selection, would normally be a major factor, but Parson adds that a nagging foot injury has hampered her and that her status for the game is in doubt at presstime.

            Parson did mention the potential of four sophomores, who she expects to emerge:  centers Jasmine Lipford and Tamaya Daniels, forward Morgan Neal and guard Lonice Kenley.

            "Jasmine is beginning to come around as a defensive force for us," said Parson.  "Tamaya and Morgan Neal are showing signs that they will be able to help us in conference play and Lonice now seems to understand how to play in rhythm in our offense and not just launch it when she comes across half-court."

            Hampton (4-6 overall, 0-1 in the MEAC), which are coming off a 62-54 loss to Radford in its latest outing, will also be looking for its first MEAC victory.  The Lady Pirates are led by junior guards Rachel Butler (11.8 ppg) and Artavia Burns (11.5).  The two teams are evenly matched statistically, but you can throw all of that out of the window when these two meet.

            "It's always an emotional game when we play Hampton," admits Parson.  "My concern is that we are not too emotional."

            Tipoff is slated for 7 pm in Burr Gymnasium and this will be the only time that the two meet during the regular season.

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