Tradition, pride, and a solid group of veteran and incoming players will likely help the Roadrunner women's basketball team to a successful winter as the 2019-20 season opens Saturday, November 2 in New York.
The Roadrunners (12-13 overall, 7-8 conference in 2019-20) had an injury-prone season a year ago, but figure to make a roaring comeback as they look ahead to the new season.
Cooper, who has 86 career wins and guided the Runners to the Region XIX and NJCAA National Tournament bid two seasons ago, has four solid returnees in guard/forwards Kylar Coughlin (Gloucester), Kadina Harris-Hood (Atlantic City), Nikita Acker (Triton), and De'Ania Davenport-White (Salem) plus several prize recruits, including former Camden County College star Maya Lewis (Cherry Hill West).
The Runners figure to be in contention for the Garden State Athletic Conference championship and hope to qualify once again for the Region XIX playoffs.
The Runners open the season with tough opponents in Bryant & Stratton (NY) on Saturday, November 2, and Onondaga CC (NY) in the Annual Onondaga CC Tournament.
The Runners will also face the usual schedule of talented regional opponents, including nationally ranked Brookdale Community College.
Click Here for Roadrunner Women's Basketball Roster
Season Preview
Coach: Rich Cooper, 6th Year, 86 career wins.
Assistants: Matthew Smick, Taylor Bynoe.
Last Season: 12-13 overall; 7-8 conference.
Season Opener: Bryant & Stratton (NY) Community College at Onondaga CC Tournament, Saturday, Nov. 2, at 4:00 pm.
Key Returnees: Kylar Coughlin (Gloucester), forward; Nickita Acker (Triton), guard; Kadina Harris-Hood (Atlantic City), guard; De'Ania Davenport-White (Salem), guard.
Additional Contributors: Maya Lewis (Cherry Hill West), point guard; Molly Hoffman (Ocean City), forward; Syria Bass (Holy Spirit), guard; Mary Diaz (Highland), guard; Qeiajae Canty (Atlantic City), guard; Trina Deveney (Cedar Creek), forward; Gianna Laguarina (Clearview), guard.
Outlook for 2019: The Runners will have a smaller, quicker team this season, so expect plenty of scoring and an emphasis on tough defense. Three solid scorers from last season return in Nikita Acker (9.2 ppg), Kadina Harris-Hood (8.8 ppg) and Kylar Coughlin (8.2 ppg). Former Camden County star Maya Lewis will be a welcome addition to the offense and could prove to be the team's top offensive threat after scoring 17 points per game two seasons ago at CCC. The remainder of the roster is formidable and capable of making a Region XIX playoff run, although the opening part of the schedule will be challenging.
Coach Rich Cooper on 2019-20 season: "As a coach you have to adapt to your talent. This year we have quick guards and active forwards andwe should get to the basket a lot more. And yes, we have enough talent to have a winning season."