2009-2010 Hurricane Women's Basketball Outlook

The Hurricanes finished the 2008-2009 season with a pair of trips to Illinois and a trip to the NJCAA National Tournament with a Top 10 finish nationally.  Goals for the 2009-2010 season will be just as high.  Gone is leader and All-American Niesha Searles, but a trio of sophomores look to fill her shoes along with a host of talented freshmen.  Returning is wing guard Paquita Wingate who’s career high 32 point effort in the District playoff game propelled Louisburg to the national tournament, combo guard Amanda Sinclair who could spend time at all three backcourt positions and post Shequita Manning who emerged as one of the Hurricanes best post players by tournament time last season.  It will take the leadership and experience of this trio if Louisburg wants to repeat last year’s success.  But they will need help and plenty has arrived for this year’s campaign.

Starting in the backcourt, Brittany Newby-Ellis will look to fill the point guard vacancy, a pass first mentality with a great handle, and aggressive defensive play will let her push for early playing time, but it is her vocal leadership that might be her most valuable asset for the young Hurricanes.  Other freshmen guards are CoCo Hull, a very quick guard that can handle and get to the basket; Shatara Jackson, a transfer from Winston-Salem State is an athletic combo guard that can play any of the three backcourt positions; Mariah Hardin is a shooter that will compete for time at the wing positions, Brooke Miles an athletic guard that is also an excellent shooter from behind the arc and Keiara Norwood is another strong and athletic guard that has the ability to get to the basket.

 One new Hurricane with very high expectations is Monique Williams, a strong, athletic and quick post player that will play forward and can excel on the wing or in the post.  Williams has a good jump shop, runs the floor well and plays the game with a high energy that fits well into the Hurricanes up tempo style.  The Hurricanes will look to two other players to help inside, Ariel Phelps, an athletic forward that runs the floor well, is a great shot blocker and her hard work and ability to rebound should get her early minutes; and Abril Stroman a very quick athletic post who can post up or face the basket offensively and is a strong aggressive rebounder that runs the floor extremely well.

Also helping Manning in the post, Da’Shan Ross, who is coming off summer knee surgery, has a good shot from in close, is long and tall with soft hands which should make her a good offensive threat; and LaDonna Smith, who is a strong, power forward that plays a physical style and finishes well in transition. The solid inside presence for the Hurricanes will allow them to attack the basket inside out while making the lane a difficult place for opposing teams.

Like most seasons chemistry will be a key as the Hurricanes look to find a way to get back to the National Tournament and the pursuit of a championship season.  Louisburg has lots of new faces and lots of high expectations.  It should be an entertaining season as the Hurricanes hit the floor and begin what should be an exciting and successful journey.

For more information, contact:
Head Coach Mike Holloman
919.497.3249
mholloman@louisburg.edu