Women's Basketball

2007-08 Season Preview

November 13, 2007

WATERBURY, Conn.-The last time Tracey Garofalo `02 stepped onto a court as a member of the Post University women's basketball team, she scored 17 points in a 72-60 loss to Georgian Court on February 16, 2002. Thursday evening, she will do so again, only this time as the head coach of the Eagles.

Post opens the 2007-08 season on the road at Merrimack College.

Garofalo was named the head coach of the women's basketball and softball programs in the fall, after coaching both sports in high school, following her graduation in 2002. She is still the women's basketball program's all-time leading scorer with 1,150 points, and averaged 13.0 ppg, over the course of her collegiate career.

A standout on both the hardwood, and the softball diamond, Garofalo earned Post University Athlete of the Year honors in 2002, and was named basketball most valuable player in 2001 and 2002.

So when the chance to return to her alma mater, became available, she jumped at the chance to coach, where she had so much success as a player.

Now a few weeks into the job, she has immersed herself at improving the fortunes of her former team. "I love what I am doing, and I am grateful for the chance to be back at my alma mater."

Garofalo will have her work cut out for her this season, as she will have to find a way to replace seven players from last year's roster, including three of the top four leading scorers to graduation.

Post finished last season winning four out of the final six games of the season, and six of the last 10, earning its second trip to the CACC Championship in as many years.

Seniors

She will lean on four seniors to lead a young group of players, which includes a group of nine newcomers.

The first-year head coach will ask each of the seniors to be leaders on the team this season. Each of the players in the quartet possesses different characteristics of leadership.

Guard Natasha Box (Brooklyn, N.Y./Mohawk Valley C.C.) returns to the lineup after missing last season. In 2005-06, she appeared in 28 games for the Eagles earning 18 starts, averaging 23.7 minutes per game.

"Natasha sees the floor very well," Garofalo said. "She gets the ball to the right people at the right time, which we hope to do a lot more this season."

Guard LaToya Coley (Brooklyn, N.Y./Mohawk Valley C.C.) had a breakout season in her first year with the Green and White, after transferring from Mohawk Valley C.C. She was the third-leading scorer for the Eagles last year with 11.0 points per game. She was second in the CACC in three-point percentage, netting 41.3 percent (74-179) from beyond the three-point arc. She averaged 2.74 treys per game, which was also good for second in the conference.

Coley also recorded 15 double-digit outings last season, including a 29-point effort at Nyack, where she drained a season-high seven three-pointers.

Guard Jennifer Rose (New City, N.Y./Clarkstown North) played in 27 games for the Eagles last season, averaging 5.8 points per game. She was third on the team with 37 three-pointers. She needs nine treys to reach the century mark, and needs 89 points for 500 in her career.

Forward Jackie Sutton (Dryden, N.Y./Topkins-Cortland C.C.), joined the Eagles late in the preseason, after finishing the season with the Post women's soccer team, where she garnered CACC All-Tournament honors. She appeared in 28 games for the Eagles last season, after transferring from Topkins-Cortland C.C. in the Syracuse area.

"Jackie works hard all of the time," Garofalo said. "I like her versatility, as she can probably play any position on the court for us."

Juniors

The junior class will also be asked to help with the leadership responsibilities, as Garofalo has three players in the class that will be looked upon as leaders both on and off the court.

Forward Cortensia Davis (Brooklyn, N.Y./Kingsborough C.C.) joins the Eagles this season, after a year at Kingsborough C.C. She averaged 12 points and 14 rebounds in junior college, and helped the team to finish second in the postseason tournament.

"She is one of the vocal leaders on the team," Garofalo said. "She should be one of the better rebounders in the conference, by the end of the season."

Forward Stephanie Goss (Manchester, Conn./Manchester) returns to the fold this season, after appearing in 13 games for the Eagles last season. She earned starts in seven of those contests and netted double-digits in four contests. She also had two games with 10 or more rebounds as well.

A versatile player, Goss can play any of the frontline positions, and has a great shot for someone her size, Garofalo added.

Guard Kenetta Kelly (West Hempstead, N.Y./Cecil C.C.) enters her second season with the Green and White. She appeared in 11 games for Post last season, averaging 5.3 points per game. She had 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting in the first meeting of the season against Holy Family.

"Kenetta works hard day in and day out," the Eagle mentor said. "She has a great jump shot as well, which will be a valuable option for us."

Sophomores

The trio of sophomore will be new to followers of the Post University women's basketball team.

Forward Tiericka Harrison (Abingdon, Md.) will begin her first season with the Eagles this year. "Tiericka does all of the little things well," Garofalo said. "She works hard in practice and anytime she steps on the court."

Guard Cynthia Middleton (Hartford, Conn.) will be looked at to add depth to the backcourt for the Eagles this season. She has worked on her game in the preseason, and will push for time in the backcourt rotation.

Forward Kendra Pitts (Detroit, Mich./Indiana Tech) is another one of the versatile players on the roster. "KP can play each position on the floor," Garofalo said. "She also has the potential to be one of the top players in the conference."

Freshmen

Five freshmen will make their collegiate debuts for the Eagles this season. Guard Shaniqua Hendrix (Staten Island, N.Y.), guard Elizabeth Johnson (Manchester, Conn./Norwich Free Academy), forward Makini Manning (Brooklyn, N.Y./Thomas Jefferson), guard Jamie Martingano (North Windham, Conn./Windham), and guard Mallorie Michalk (Meriden, Conn./Platt High School) comprise the rookie class for the Eagles this season.

Schedule

Following the opening contest of the 2007-08 season, the Eagles will open the home portion of their schedule on Tuesday, Nov. 20 against NYIT. Post will travel to St. Anslem's November 28, before opening the CACC portion of its schedule on Saturday, Dec. 1 at Nyack.

The CACC schedule will look a little different this season, with the addition of Chestnut Hill to the conference. The CACC has been split into two divisions, North and South. Each team will face each other at least once, with divisional opponents meeting in home-and-home series.