The Randolph women's basketball team's motto is No Ceiling, New Heights. After a 2021-22 season that saw the WildCats reach new heights, this coming season's approach is still the same.
"We have established our motto as "No Ceiling, New Heights" which is founded on the belief that we try not to put limits numerically & otherwise on ourselves," said fourth-year head coach Steve Lanpher. "We strive for success and greatness on a daily basis and if we consistently focus on improvement then wins will take care of themselves. Each year we are striving to win the ODAC championship and this year is no different. It isn't our ultimate goal but it is certainly one of our goals for sure!"
Randolph went 16-7 last season and 12-5 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Both the overall and conference wins set new program records. The team advanced to the ODAC Quarterfinals in Salem, Va. for just the second time in its history. Two players, junior Kylie Stark and sophomore Teniyah-Crenshaw Patterson were selected to the All-Conference Team which marked the first time Randolph had two players selected and Stark's First Team selection was the first in 22 years with Crenshaw-Patterson being named the Rookie of the Year. Both players also earned All-Region Selections from D3Hoops.com with Crenshaw-Patterson being named the Region 6 Rookie of the Year.
Randolph was picked second in the ODAC Preseason Poll. The WildCats return both Stark and Crenshaw-Patterson and are a veteran-heavy squad headed into the new season. Crenshaw-Patterson led Randolph in scoring averaging 12.8 points a game. Stark led the 'Cats in rebounds and steals and was second in scoring to Crenshaw-Patterson with 12.7 points per contest. Returning for another season are graduate student Yanessa Cabrera along with senior Cameron O'Neil. O'Neil is coming off a career season where she led the team in three-point field goals with 39. Cabrera was the team leader in assists ranking fourth in the ODAC in both total assists and assists per game
Randolph also has senior Natalie Clark who made a career-high 13 three-point baskets at a 35.1% clip in 20 games. Sophomore Simone Brown started 11 of 22 games as a first-year last season and finished third on the team in total rebounds with 131. Sophomore Nadia West is also a strong option off the bench. Senior Madi Tyree brings experience having played in 37 games over her career.
Five new players join the team this season. Jessica Jennings is the most experienced of the group as the senior comes to the WildCats from ODAC rival Virginia Wesleyan where she started 44 of 51 games averaging just under 11 points a game, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. "She has a ton of talent and has blended in well with our group,"noted Lanpher. "She will be looked upon to provide us with quality minutes at the point guard position. Her quickness, ball handling and scoring ability should bolster our offense both in the open floor and in the half court. Defensively, she has all the attributes to help us continue to bolster our defensive prowess."
The first year class is composed of Pariz Minor, Abbie Baker, Taniya Jackson, and Brooklyn Finnerty. "Pariz is a forward who is smart, skilled and hardworking," said Lanpher. "She has the ability to score both inside and from the perimeter as well. She will be looked upon to provide us with quality minutes and depth at the forward position. Abbie is a skilled post player who adds depth to that position. She is athletic and has the ability to run the floor. She will be looked upon to provide us with scoring and rebounding and quality minutes in the post position. Taniya is a point guard who will be looked upon to provide us with depth at that position. She should provide us with ball handling, decision making and additional minutes at her position. Brooklyn will play the post position and has just joined us from the volleyball team. She is athletic, agile, and will provide us with additional depth at her position. She will be looked upon to score, rebound and defend."
The WildCats have four of their first five games at home starting this Tuesday against Apprentice. Randolph will have tough tests early on as it has three conference games in the month of November and five total in the first half of the season with the ODAC opener coming November 16 against Bridgewater.
"Personally, I would prefer playing all non-conference games first and then all conference together after but it's not the case and it's fair for everyone so we must prepare and be ready for those early conference games," stated Lanpher. "We will look to get off to a great start in the early season and look to grow and improve throughout! Our goal is to be playing our best basketball in February but in order to do that we must focus on our effort, attitude and preparation now."
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