The Goldey-Beacom College Women’s Basketball team returns all but one player from its 2009 roster. With the addition of some key freshman and redshirts, this 2009-10 team should be one of the most experienced and skilled teams in recent years. With the eight returners from last year, this young but spirited squad should have plenty of leadership and direction to work with.
With the return of injured guard Jacinda Jones, the Lightning is looking to gain depth and experience this upcoming season. Redshirt freshman Ashley Rosario will add quickness at the guard position and tenacity at the post position. With her versatile approach to the game, Ashley should make an immediate impact on this season. Freshman Irene Hudson from Cocroran High School in Syracuse, N.Y. will also help out as both a guard and forward. Irene’s ability to get to the basket and create will be effective in the team’s overall offense, and her physical, yet finesse style in the post will give GBC a different gear to work with this year. Akilah Sewell, from Baltimore City High School in Maryland will give the Lightning’s inside game a great physical presence. Akilah’s strength should help create some great scoring options for both Akilah and the rest of the team. Her ability to get position inside should be a major contributor to the team’s success.
Returning upperclassman for the Lightning are juniors Janae Weldon, Arielle Alford and Amber Gullickson. With no seniors, the underclassmen will be depending on these 3 juniors and Jacinda Jones to lead the squad both on and off the court. Janae Weldon was the team’s leading scorer last season and one of the team’s most experienced players. The Lightning will look for her to continue to lead as captain and point guard, and to put her team in great situations to win games. Arielle Alford is coming off of one of the most incredible defensive years of her career, and this year should not be any different. Her agility and knack for the ball allows the Lightning to be aggressive on the defensive end. Amber Gullickson used the off-season to prepare for anything this year. Her 5-9 frame enables her to play at any position; however, her energy and enthusiasm are what make Amber a key contributor to the team. Her toughness and length will give GBC added depth in all positions. Jacinda Jones, coming off a season ending ACL injury will be back in full effect this year. Jacinda rehabbed herself back into an outstanding position for both herself and her team. With her determination to get back onto the court, “Jay Jay” (as she is known by her teammates) has given the team a positive fuel for the season. Her length and stride to the basket make her a difficult matchup for any defense, and her eye around the perimeter will open up many situations inside for us.
A 6-5 center, Megan Knowles put in a lot of extra work this past summer and was able to produce some outstanding results. With Megan’s new build and attitude toward achieving, she should create some excellent opportunities for the Lightning. Alford, Sewell, Hudson, Knowles and Sam Sanchez should prove the Lightning’s post play can be legitimate this year. Guards Lindsay Duck and Evebonee Acosta have come into this season with some very high expectations for both themselves and their team. Both of them are willing to go above and beyond for the team’s success, and their attitudes and work ethics go a very long way. Both have the ability to attack defenses and also hit from long range. They are extremely fast and are looking for big results this year.
With the new make up of the 2009-10 team, the Lightning look to expand on the successes of last year and also create bigger and better opportunities within. The team’s leaders have a positive outlook for the season and each and every player fully expects to reach both their individual and team goals for the year.
