The Roadrunner Women's basketball team will finally return to regular-season action Tuesday night, November 9, vs. Delaware Tech in a 6 pm tip off at Stockton University. But don't think the opening portion of this 2021-22 campaign will be easy for Coach Rich Cooper's squad. It will be anything but easy as the Runners play their first six games on the road before returning for a home game on Sunday, November 21.
The Runners' opener vs. Del Tech was postponed until tonight -- and this match will be followed by five straight road games vs. Mercer CCC, Sussex, Prince George's CC, Ocean County, and Passaic CCC.
But there are no complaints from Coach Cooper, who begins his 8th season with 110 career wins and perhaps one of his best rosters of his successful career.
"Hey, we'll take the games -- and trust me both the coaches and players are excited to be back," he said. "The ladies have worked very hard since last spring to get to this point, and we're ready to play ball!"
During a shortened Spring 2021 campaign the Roadrunners finished with a 6-2 overall record, while in the previous full season of 2019-20 the team reached the Region 19 championship game before suffering a last-minute loss to top-seed Passaic.
With a solid returning crew and one of the best recruiting classes in several years, there may be no stopping the Runners this time around.
"This is one of the better recruiting seasons we've ever had, and when we gain some experience working together, we should be very competitive," said Cooper. "These athletes are outstanding players, and they will need to conrinue adjusting to the college level game. That will take time."
With a roster loaded with solid returnees such as All-Region forward Trina Deveney-Bethea (Cedar Creek) and guard Qeiajae Canty (Atlantic City), the squad will already display an explosive lineup. Add in the improved play of sophomore guard Syria Bass (Holy Spirit) and freshman forward Danielle Jeffreys (Williamstown), and the team appears to be poised for success.
Season Preview: Women's Basketball
Coach: Rich Cooper, 8th Season, 110 career wins.
Assistant Coaches: Matthew Smick, Taylor Bynoe.
Last Season: During last spring's pandemic-shortened season. Cooper's team enjoyed a 6-2 overall record. In 2019-20, the Runners compiled a final overall record of 18-10, dropping a close playoff game against Passaic in the Region 19 semifinal at Northampton County College.
Season opener: The Runners open their season Tuesday night, November 9, vs. Delaware Tech in a 6 pm start at Stockton University. Next up will be five straight road games starting Thursday, Nov. 11, at Mercer County College.
Returning players: Trina Deveney-Bethea, So., Cedar Creek, forward; Qeiajae Canty, So., Atlantic City, guard; Syria Bass, So., Holy Spirit, guard; Danielle Jeffreys, Williamstown, forward; Julianna Montero, ACIT, forward.
Newcomers: Prospects include Ke'Aasia Johns, Woodbury, guard; Jilonne Daley, Williamstown, guard; Deja Cook, Glassboro, freshman; Nyasia Clark, Woodbury, guard; Rianna Talley, Millville, guard/forward; Crystal Johnson, Gloucester City, guard; Mia Taylor. Gateway, guard; Jinelys Alvarez, Vineland, forward; Ella Van Dine, Gloucester Catholic, guard; Kyleah Holmes, Pottsgrove (PA), guard/forward; Zaniyah Carr, West Deptford, forward; Madison Dulude, Washington Twp., guard; Riley Starke, Riverside, center.
Outlook for season: The Runners are loaded with experience and talent and look to repeat their previous success as they look ahead to a full Winter 2021 campaign.
Coach Rich Cooper on his Roadrunners: "This is one of the better recruiting seasons we've ever had, and when we gain some experience working together, we should be very competitive," said Cooper. "These athletes are outstanding players, and they will need to conrinue adjusting to the college level game. That will take time."