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Lillian McGill,senior captain, Division II All-Independent First Team member and two-time ICAA Player of the Year
Lillian McGill,senior captain, Division II All-Independent First Team member and two-time ICAA Player of the Year
Posted: Oct 12, 2010

University of the District of Columbia Women's Basketball Schedule Announced

Washington, DC: October 6, 2010- The University of the District of Columbia has released its 2010-11 women's basketball schedule. The Firebirds will face one of the toughest schedules in NCAA Division II Basketball starting with pre-season contests against cross-town Division I programs Howard University on November 3, and the University of Maryland on November 7.

The regular season kicks off on November 14, with home competition against Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Also on the Firebirds schedule are highlight games against Division II powerhouses California University of Pennsylvania, Fayetteville State, and top ten nationally ranked Lander University. The Firebirds will  host three holiday classic tournaments this season - the UDC Thanksgiving Classic,  Holiday Classic, and New Year's Classic.  UDC will also host the National Independent Schools Tournament.

The Team returns to action under 8th year head coach and two-time Independent Conference Athletic Association (ICAA) Coach of the Year Lester J. Butler, Jr. The team finished the 2009-10 season with an overall regular season record of 12-13. The Firebirds will be led by senior captain, Division II All-Independent First Team member and two-time ICAA Player of the Year Lillian McGill. With an average of 15.2 points and 12.2 rebounds per game, McGill led the nation among Division II schools in rebounding during the 2009-2010 season, is a 1,000 career point scorer, and is en route to reaching 1,000 career rebounds and becoming the NCAA 2nd All Time leader in double doubles among Division II schools during the upcoming season.  

In addition to McGill, the Firebirds return 5 players. Among the returners are junior forward Stacy Griffith (7ppg and 6.8rpg), last season's starting point guard, junior Jasmine Rich, junior center Aida Gueye, and sophomore shooting guard Ty Abilla. Coming off of ACL surgery, sophomore Ashley Thompson looks to be a key contributor at the shooting guard position.

Coach Butler welcomes seven new members to the Firebirds roster this season. Freshman, Julissa Anderson is a 6'2 Guard/Forward from Greensboro, NC- Southeast Guilford. A Four-year letter winner in basketball, All Guilford County Selection, Anderson was named Most Valuable Player at Southeast Guilford with an average of 12.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 2 steals per game also leading her team to a State Playoff appearance.

Freshman Dohnay Banice is a 6'0 Forward from Wilmington, DE – Delaware Tech. Comm. College. Named 1st team XIX All-Region as a freshman and sophomore. Banice averaged 17.3 points and 14.9 rebounds per game while shooting 65% from the field and was the National leader in offensive rebounding, second overall in total rebounds, and second in the nation in FG percentage.

Junior Kendra Johnson a 5'6 Guard from Mt. Laurel, NJ a transfer out of Union County Comm. College. Named 1st team All Garden State as a freshman and sophomore, 1st team XIX All-Region as a freshman, and 2nd team XIX All-Region as a sophomore, Johnson averaged 17.9 points, 4.3 assist, 4.3 steals and 4 rebounds per game.

Freshman Monet Nias a 6'2 Forward/Center from Glen Burnie, MD – Old Mill. Four-year letter winner in basketball and an All Arundel County selection, Nias averaged 14.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game leading her team to a State Playoff appearance.

Freshman Renita Walker a 5'8 Guard from Norfolk, VA – Booker T. Washington. Four-year letter winner in basketball, Walker was named 1st Team All-Eastern District as a senior, Eastern District Offensive Player of the Year, while averaging 13.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.6 steals and 3.7 assist per game and leading her team to a State Playoff appearance.

Senior Niqky Hughes a 6'1" Guard/ Forward from Fort Worth, TX, a transfer out of North Texas University looks to be a key contributor to the Firebird offense, adding length and experience in the back court.

Junior Trice Bonner a 5"11 Forward from Mobile, AL, a transfer out of Missouri Southern University is also expected to serve as an integral component to the Firebirds offense offering athleticism and speed.

"I am extremely excited about the combination of talent we have for the upcoming season," said Coach Butler. "Our expectations are very high, as we look to bring home another 20 plus win season and an Independent Championship."