Aliyah Lawson Named to MEAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Third Team

NORFOLK, Va. – Coppin State's Aliyah Lawson was named to 2020-21 Women's Basketball Preseason All-MEAC Third Team, it was announced by the league office on Thursday morning.  Additionally, the Eagles were picked to finish sixth among Northern Division teams in the Preseason Poll which was voted on by the conference's 11 head coaches and sports information directors.
 
A junior from Whitby, Ontario, Canada, Lawson averaged 10.0 points and 3.0 rebounds while leading the team with 67 assists in her first season with the Eagles.  Lawson was also credited with 30 steals and five blocks in her role as the team's primary ball-handler. Lawson scored in double figures 15 times, including a season-high 19 points at Dayton where she made 7-of-11 field goals, and all four of her 3-pointers.  She also went for another 19 points against Delaware State, had at least five rebounds in seven games, and three games with at least five assists.
 
In the Predicted Order of Finish, Coppin earned one first place vote but was picked to finish sixth in the Northern Division behind Norfolk State, Morgan State, Delaware State, Howard and Maryland Eastern Shore.

Bethune-Cookman, led by Preseason Player of the Year, Amaya Scott was picked first in the South, North Carolina A&T, NC Central, South Carolina State and Florida A&M.

First-year head coach Laura Harper worked quickly to turn over the Eagles roster as she brought in six new players to join Lawson. Graduate transfers, Nailah Delinois from Saint Joseph's, and Roni Richardson from Auburn University at Montgomery will add veteran leadership in all aspects of the program. Among the other top returning players for Coppin are junior center Jalynda Salley, 2019-20 All-Rookie Team selection Alexandria Hamilton, and sophomore sharpshooter Marley Grenway. 











2020-21 Preseason All-MEAC Teams
(as voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors)
 
Preseason Player of the Year: Amaya Scott (Bethune-Cookman)
 
First Team
Name                                    Pos.       Ht.          Cl.           School                                  Hometown
Daniella Hatcher               G             5-8          r-Sr.       Bethune-Cookman          Orlando, Fla.
Amaya Scott                       F              6-1          Sr.           Bethune-Cookman          Sunrise, Fla.
Jayla Thornton                  G             5-9          Sr.           Howard                                Newark, N.J.
Dahnye Redd                     F              5-11       r-Sr.       Morgan State                     Darby, Pa.
Anissa Rivera                      F              6-1          So.          NC Central                          Capitol Heights, Md.
 
Second Team
Name                                    Pos.       Ht.          Cl.           School                                  Hometown
Sharajah Collins                 G/F        5-7          Sr.           Delaware State                 Winter Haven, Fla.
Ashia McCalla                    G             5-6          Jr.           Morgan State                     Greenbelt, Md.
Deja Winters                      F              5-11       Sr.           North Carolina A&T         Cleveland, Ohio
Kieche White                     G             5-4          Sr.           NC Central                          Washington, D.C.
Heniaya Moton                 G             5-7          Sr.           South Carolina State       Washington, D.C.
 
Third Team
Name                                    Pos.       Ht.          Cl.           School                                  Hometown
Aliyah Lawson                   G             5-7          Jr.           Coppin State                      Whitby, Ontario, Canada
Lyric Turner                        G             5-7          Sr.           Delaware State                 Mansfield, Texas
Krislyn Marsh                     F              6-0          Jr.           Howard                                Houston, Texas
Brooklyn Bailey                 G             5-4          Jr.           MD Eastern Shore            Rock Hill, S.C.
Jayla Jones-Pack               F/C         6-3          Sr.           North Carolina A&T         Amityville, N.Y.
 
2020-21 MEAC Predicted Order of Finish
 
Northern Division

1. Norfolk State (12)
2. Morgan State (5)
3. Delaware State (1)
4. Howard
5. MD Eastern Shore (3)
6. Coppin State (1)

Southern Division

1. Bethune-Cookman (18)
2. North Carolina A&T (4)
3. NC Central
4. South Carolina State
5. Florida A&M