The Morrisville State College women’s basketball team is making final preparations as they approach the start to the upcoming 2012-13 season on Friday.
Under direction of new head coach Steve Kaneshiki, Morrisville State is looking to utilize some new faces to move the program forward. Key to achieving that goal is the camaraderie necessary to make remarkable improvements as the season wears on.
Out of 16 on the roster this season, just six return from last year’s squad that posted 10 wins and 15 losses, including a 8-9 record in North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) action. Last season the Mustangs got off to a slow start in November, but rebounded in the second half of the year, posting nine wins in the final 17 games.
With added depth to the bench, Morrisville State will utilize its guard heavy roster to change up the pace of the game, as the newcomers bring an added athleticism to the team this season.
Kaneshiki added that returners Nijee’ Scott (Bronx, N.Y.) and Jennel Paul (Brooklyn, N.Y.) will be looked to provide leadership on and off the court as captains, as both bring a wealth of knowledge and leadership into the 2012 season.
Scott, a junior guard, averaged double figures in scoring for Morrisville State last season (11.1 points per game) while posting 7.6 rebounds per game and seeing 32.5 minutes on average a night. Paul, sophomore guard, controlled the backcourt for the Mustangs, posting on average 8.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in roughly 35 minutes per night on the floor.
Looking to move past being on the bubble for post season play in the conference tournament, the Mustangs will certainly have their challenges immediately, as the schedule bears a tough non-conference line-up against teams from Potsdam, Brockport, Hamilton, Hartwick and Nazareth.
Morrisville State opens the year at SUNY Canton on Friday, Nov. 16, facing Bard College at the Kevin Fee/Roo Classic at 6 p.m. in canton. They return to the court Saturday at SUNY Canton, taking on Albany College of Pharmacy in the second day of the tournament’s action.
On Tuesday, Nov. 20 the Mustangs open their home slate on the newly renovated court against Brockport at 5 p.m.