BALTIMORE – The
Laura Harper era begins for the Coppin State women's basketball team as the Eagles head to Happy Valley to open the 2020-21 season on Wednesday, November 25 at Penn State. Tipoff from the Bryce Jordan Center is set for 6:00 pm.
The Basics
Teams: Coppin State Eagles (0-0) at Penn State Nittany Lions (0-0)
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 25, 2020 | 6:00 pm
Where: University Park, Pa. (Bryce Jordan Center)
2019-20 Records: Coppin State (3-26, 3-13 MEAC); Penn State (7-23, 1-17 B1G)
Series History: Penn State Leads, 1-0 (76-61 on November 29, 2008)
TV: B1G Network Plus
Live Stats: Click Here
News & Notes
A New Era at Coppin State
Laura Harper was introduced as the eighth head coach in Coppin State women's basketball history on July 20, 2020 after assisting at four NCAA Division I institutions and serving this past season as head coach at Montverde Academy in Florida. Harper got her start in coaching at nearby Loyola University Maryland in 2013 before assisting at High Point University for two seasons. She then moved back to the area to work at George Washington University for a season prior to serving two seasons at University of Florida. In her lone season as head coach at Montverde, Harper guided the Eagles to an 18-6 mark and all five of her seniors earned NCAA Division I Scholarships.
A former WNBA player, Harper was a four-year standout at Maryland and led the Terrapins to a 2006 National Championship where was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player. Harper was an AP All-American as a senior at UMD, owns the school-record with 198 blocks while scoring 1,407 points and ranking seventh in rebounds. Following her collegiate career, Harper was the 10
th overall selection by the Sacramento Monarchs in the 2008 WNBA Draft where she played for two seasons prior to heading overseas. Harper has her No. 15 jersey displayed in the rafters at the Xfinity Center in College Park and was named to the 2014 ACC Legends Class.
From Canada to the Sunshine State to the Charm City
Coppin's primary ball-handler as a sophomore newcomer last year,
Aliyah Lawson, a native of Whitby, Ontario, was named a MEAC Preseason Third Team selection coming into this season. Transferring from Tallahassee CC, one of the top NJCAA programs in the Nation, Lawson finished second on the team with 10.0 points per game while dishing out a team-high 67 assists. A well-rounded player, Lawson pulled down three rebounds per game to go with 30 steals and five blocks. Lawson reached double digits in scoring 15 times which included 19-point efforts vs. Delaware State and at Dayton.
Student Comes Before Athlete
Lawson is the epitome of a student-athlete and is set to graduate this season despite being a junior on the court. An Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar at Tallahassee CC, Lawson accumulated a 4.0 GPA. As a freshman at TCC, Lawson missed the entire season with an injury as her squad went on to win a National Championship. Lawson started in 20 games the next season after recovering from injury and led the team to a 25-5 record while participating in many community service events. A Dean's List student at Coppin, Lawson is a candidate for CoSIDA Academic All-America recognition this year.
Representing the Buckeye State
During the last two seasons, Coppin's top freshman hailed from the State of Ohio in
Jalynda Salley and
Alexandria Hamilton. Now a junior, Salley averaged 6.3 points and 5.3 rebounds with three double-doubles last season while blocking 35 shots. As a freshman, Salley put up 5.9 points with 5.5 rebounds and 29 blocks while notching four double-doubles and earning a pair of Rookie of the Week awards. Hamilton was a MEAC All-Rookie Team selection last year after averaging 6.7 points and 2.2 rebounds with 57 assists. She also earned a pair of Rookie of the Week awards.
They Call Her Tootie
Sophomore
Tyree Allen showed flashes of her potential as a freshman, averaging 3.9 points and 2.2 rebounds to go with eight assists, six blocks and 10 steals. Putting up a season-high 13 points against North Carolina A&T, Allen also recorded eight points with seven rebounds at West Virginia.
Marley & Me
Sophomore
Marley Grenway was one of Coppin's top outside shooters a year ago, sinking 32 shots from behind the arc. Scoring 3.6 points per contest, Grenway, hit multiple 3-pointers in nine games which included a season-high three 3-pointers at Cincinnati where she finished with 11 points. Grenway earned MEAC Rookie of the Week honors after going for five points at La Salle and nine points at George Washington.
There's Something Unique About Her
Sophomore
Unique Meyers made the most of her opportunities last season as she averaged just 4.6 minutes per contest. A native of Upper Marlboro, Md., Meyers had per best game against Delaware State where she scored seven points on 3-of-4 shooting including a 3-pointer.
Abby! Abby! Abby!
Junior
Abby Weiss missed the first half of last season due to NCAA Transfer regulations and recorded 0.3 points and 0.3 rebounds per game in her first season at Coppin. A gifted long-range shooter, Weiss hit a three at Delaware State. Weiss is an intern in the CSU Athletic Communications Office and was rewarded with a BCSIDA Student Membership this academic year.
Diamond in the Rough
Providing a spark off the bench the last two seasons is 5-foot-1
Diamond Adams. Appearing in 44 games in her career, Adams is a tenacious defender who has been credited with 26 points, 10 steals and 15 assists.
Added Veteran Presence
With no seniors on the roster when she was hired, first-year head coach
Laura Harper added a pair of graduate transfers in
Nailah Delinois (Saint Joseph's) and
Roni Richardson (Auburn-Montgomery) who will contribute immediately. Delinois made 20 starts for the Hawks last season and averaged 3.4 points with 2.8 rebounds while being named SJU's Best Defensive Player. She will have two more seasons of eligibility as she missed the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons with injury. Richardson played her first two years at Shorter University before playing this past season at Auburn-Montgomery (D2). Richardson appeared in all 28 games last year for AUM, averaging 3.8 points with 31 assists for the season.
Turning Over a New Leaf
Coach Harper wasted no time in bringing in new pieces, and some much-needed height, to her roster with the additions of junior college transfers
Toni Blanford and
Rebecca Wilson. A 6-foot forward, Blanford played last season at Monroe College in New York where she did it all for the Mustangs, averaging 8.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and nearly two assists per game. Blanford reached double figures ten times with a pair of 20-point games and 37 3-pointers. Wilson saw action in every game for Independence CC in Kansas last year and put up two points and three rebounds per game for the Pirates. A 6-foot-4 center, Wilson averaged a double-double as a senior at Mount Vernon HS in the Empire State.
Leaving No Stone Unturned
Always looking to improve her squad, Harper also welcomed sophomore transfer
Jamila Mitchell, who last played at Clark Atlanta (D2) during the 2018-19 season. A versatile wing, Mitchell averaged 6.4 points and nearly three rebounds as a freshman for the Panthers which included seven games with at least 10 points.
A New Hope
The Eagles boast just one freshman on this season's roster in 5-foot-4 guard
Hope Evans. A multi-year starter at Bishop McNamara HS, Evans led the Mustangs to a Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Championship as a senior and the squad was ranked 7
th Nationally by MaxPreps following the season. An All-WCAC selection in her final season, Evans helped McNamara to 95 victories in her four years.
There is Another
Head Coach
Laura Harper signed a pair of players on Early Signing Day on November 11, bringing in
Jewel Watkins (Whitehall, Ohio) and
Khya Jenkins (Deer Park, N.Y.). Watkins is a 5-10 wing who has been named First Team All-League in each of her first three years. This past season, Watkins averaged 13 points, six rebounds and two steals per game and helped Whitehall-Yearling HS to a 20-6 record, a Sectional Title and a trip to the District Championship Game. Jenkins is a 5-11 lefty forward with the ability to score at all levels. Averaging a double-double 10 points and 11 rebounds per game at Millbrook School, Jenkins also put up nearly two assists and two steals per game and helped the Mustangs to a NEPSAC Tournament Appearance last season.
Scouting Penn State
The Nittany Lions finished 7-23 last season with a 1-17 mark in the B1G and welcome back sophomores Makenna Marisa and Shay Hagans who finished with 9.2 points and 5.2 points, respectively last season. Marisa was one of Penn State's top ball-handlers and rebounders a year ago with 66 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. PSU returns just three players from last year's squad and is expecting big things from senior transfers Johnasia Cash (Southern Methodist), Kelly Jekot (Villanova), Nia Staples (West Virginia) and Niya Beverley (Wisconsin).
