UDC Women's Basketball to Open 2009 Campaign, Sunday, November 15

UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

2009 Women's Basketball Season Preview

The University of the District of Columbia Firebirds basketball team returns to action for the 2009-2010 season under 6th year head coach and two- time Independent Collegiate Athle tic Association (ICAA) Coach of the Year Lester L. Butler, Jr.  The team finished their 2008-2009 season with a second straight Independent School Division II National Championship and a NCAA Tournament appearance with an overall record of 24-5. The firebirds also achieved precedence by being ranked as high as #17 in the nation, the highest ranking ever for the program. The 24 wins the surpasses the 21 wins by the 2007-2008 team and gives UDC a overall 45-13 in the last two seasons, not to mention a 19 home game winning streak which dates back to the 2007-2008 season.

 The Firebirds, again this year, as in years past will face one of the toughest schedules in Division II Basketball.  It will all start with a battled test pre-season schedule on Nov 7th against cross-town Division 1 member Howard University.  The regular season begins, Sunday, November 15, when the team travels to Lincoln University , Pennsylvania to play in the Lincoln University Classic. The Firebirds will play Livingstone College in the opening round of the Classic. The Firebirds schedule also highlights games against perennial Division 2 powers such as Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Shaw University, Millersville University and Valdosta State University among others.

The Firebirds will be led again this year by junior sensation and ICAA Player of the Year and pre-season honorable mention All-American Lillian McGill. McGill averaged a double double last season with an average of 13.5ppg and 10.5rpg. 

Besides McGill, the Firebirds return 4 players from last year.  Taking over the reigns from former point guard DeVaughn Hailey (8.8 ppg and 4.2apg) will be sophomore Jasmine Rich (1.6ppg and 1.1apg) who played 15mpg and looked very good running the show for the firebirds at times last year.  Also returning are seniors Nicole Cooper and Tamara Watkins. While Stacy Griffith returns for her sophomore campaign. Cooper who looks to improve on her junior year average of 7.3ppg will man the shooting guard position. Watkins (4.8ppg, 2.7rpg) will see lots of playing time at both forward spots this year. Griffith is expected to play both power forward and center positions and improve on her averages (5.3ppg, 4.4rpg) from last season.

 Also back at full strength from a redshirt year while tending to a knee injury, junior Tiffany Church (5.5ppg, 2.6rpg.) looks forward to pick up where she left off in the 2007-08 season. Danielle Smith, a redshirt freshman, who sat out last year will also compete for time in a deep back court.   These returners are expected to play these minutes with the lost of All ICAA members Hailey, LaQuanda Brandon (13.2ppg, 3.2rpg) and Deyisha Williams (10.ppg, 6.3rpg).

 Coach Butler also welcomes 4 new members to the Firebirds ros ter this season. Ty Abilla a 5'7 combo guard from Absegami High School in Galloway, New Jersey.  Ty averaged over 17ppg as senior and led her team to 4 straight New Jersey High School Playoff appearances and won 2 New Jersey state championships while handling point guard duties. Coach Butler says "Ty should see time at both guard spots.  She is pound for pound the strongest player on the team and has really impressed me and the staff in preseason workout."

 Aida Gueye a 6'2 post player from Alexandria, Virginia.  Aida played last year at Columbia Union College and averaged 9ppg and 8rpg as a freshman.  Aida prepped at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA.  Coach Butler says "Aida had been a pleasant addition to our team for this year. She is a hard worker and should figure into our frontcourt rotation."

 Marketa Salley a 5'6 point guard from Central High School in Capital Heights, Maryland. A four year starter at Central, Marketa averaged over 17ppg and 5apg as a senior while leading Central to the Maryland State Playoffs and bei ng selected to the PG County All Star Game.  Coach Butler says "Marketa is a powerful guard who should see minutes at the point.  Her basketball IQ makes her a prototypical point guard who makes everyone around her better"  

 Andrea Thomas a 5'6 combo guard from Central High school in Capital Heights, Maryland.  At Central, Andrea averaged over 15ppg and 5spg.   A high school teammate of fellow freshman Marketa Salley, Andrea paired in the backcourt with Salley to form one of the area quickest backcourts. Andrea was selected to the PG County All Star Game. Coach Butler says "Andrea is as quick as they come, her ability to use her quickness really should help us on the defense end and trigger our pressing style of play"

 "I'm very excited about the mixture of veterans and newcomers to the program" said Coach Butler "I expect to continue to build on last season's success and expect to compete for another Independent championship."