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Women's Basketball

SEASON PREVIEW: 2022-23 Women's Basketball

While most of the players donning the Lincoln University uniforms are different, the expectations and bullseye are still the same. 

Despite needing to replace 10 players from the 2022 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships, the Lions were still picked as the prohibitive preseason favorites. 

“We are excited and a bit surprised about the preseason poll,” said Lincoln University Head Coach Janice Washington. “I do believe the vote is more about Lincoln's 21-22 season gaining the respect of the conference coaches, which is highly appreciated. This is a young team still trying to find chemistry and understand what the difference in expectations is here at Lincoln. We lost over 85% of our production on both sides of the ball, along with a tremendous amount of experience, but we are up for a challenging and competitive CIAA season. No one will take it easy on us and we will need to come ready for a dogfight each night. That's in the conference and out of conference.”

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Sophomore point guard Jaleesa Lanier

Sophomore guard Jaleesa Lanier is the lone returning starter for Lincoln. The point guard started 19 of 28 games and was second on the team with 64 assists. She dished out a season-high five assists on five different occasions. 

Joining Lanier in running the team from the point guard spot is Youngstown State transfer Kayiona Willis. Freshman Shaye Smith could also find some minutes. 

“I'm sure they'd agree that my expectations for PGs are through the roof,” said Washington. “The point guard position is where everything starts. They have the potential to be a pretty potent duo or tag team. Much of their success and ours, in turn, will depend on how soon they will adapt. Jaleesa has to adapt to running the show without the steadiness of fourth and fifth-year players to calm her. Willis will have to adapt to not only the speed and pace of the college game but also slowing herself down and seeing the game in slow motion. It's a possibility they will play together, obviously, that is dependent on what the game situation calls for.”

 

Senior Kania Pollock returns as one of many wing options for the Lions. She played in 24 of 30 games, averaging 12.3 minutes per game with 6.3 points and 2.2 rebounds. Sophomore Ciani Montgomery, after spending most of her freshman season as a point guard, could move to the wing this season. She is the top returning scorer with 6.7 points per game. 

The wing recruiting, which includes three transfers and two freshmen, was plentiful and deep. Sophomore Georgian Court transfer Anyssa Fields, who averaged 16.4 points and 7.7 rebounds last season at GCU, joins Lincoln after winning CACC Player of the Year and CACC Defensive Player of the Year honors. 

“The transfers are also going to be a big part of what we do, Anyssa included,” said Washington. “She is a solid player and works hard on both sides of the ball. The CIAA is a totally different conference than CACC, but I believe that she is up to the challenge. I think early on all the newcomers will still be working to develop the necessary chemistry but I see all of the newcomers contributing this season.”

Two more transfers in Rayniah Walker (Temple) and Ronnasia Blatch-Huggins bring impeccable experience to the wings. In addition to offensive prowess, they bring length to Lincoln's perimeter defense.

Transfers aren’t the only weapons brought in to provide quality minutes on the wins as freshmen Alaila Walker, D’Ayzha Atkinson, and Kaziah Akinniyi will push for time in the rotation. Along with Smith, the Lincoln freshmen class provide a gateway to the future as well. 

“All four of the true freshmen have shown their ability to push the returners and transfers,” said Washington. “They play with a confidence not seen a lot in younger players transitioning to college.”
Head Coach Janice Washington

Lincoln will not be one dimensional by any stretch of the imagination as a quintet of forwards will ply their trade in the paint. Sophomore Maya Madison played in 28 games, all in a reserve capacity. She averaged a little more than 10 minutes per game and eventually became a defensive stalwart for the Lions. 

A pair of transfers, Serena Mosely (West Virginia State) and Isis Triplett (St. Petersburg), bring athleticism and experience to the frontcourt. Sophomore Taylor Brown and freshman Niani Randall could find some minutes for the Lions. 

“This batch of bigs provides us with a bit more size and physicality on the inside,” said Washington. “Both Taylor (Brown) and Maya Madison (Walker) have improved tremendously as our returners. I was already familiar with Isis and Serena, the two Florida JUCO products. I had seen and played against them both during my last season at Daytona State, and I believe they can certainly help us on the inside with their athleticism and abilities.”

Lincoln opens the season 5 p.m. Friday, playing Slippery Rock in the opening game of the CIAA/PSAC Challenge – hosted by Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

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Sophomore forward Maya Madison Walker