Women's Basketball

I'll have thoughts on men's basketball, football, and the upcoming coaching search soon enough.

But first... I took my daughter to JPJ yesterday to watch the women's team take on Longwood.

The ladies throttled Longwood, 81-46. I was really impressed with the team. They didn't shoot well from deep yesterday, but they get balanced scoring from lots of different sources on the roster, and they play tough, hard-nosed, aggressive basketball.

Aliyah Huland El is legit. Like a female version of Jamal Robinson.

Faith Randolph is everything you want a senior guard to be -- and is truly special when attacking the basket. Female Brogdon.

Mikayla Venson had an off shooting night, but is an explosive athlete who simply outclasses those around her. A really exciting point guard for this team.

I was also really impressed with Laren Moses, a do-it-all, versatile forward. Female Jason Wiliford.

Breyana Mason is an excellent role player, playing off of Randolph and Venson. Keeps good spacing, hustles, makes plays... and knows how to score.

J'Kyra Brown is another Swiss Army knife player. I really like her defense.

Sydney Umeri is a work in progress as a post player. Nice upside, but she still has a ways to go. Reminds me of freshman and sophomore Akil Mitchell.

The freshman bigs are great! Debra Ferguson is HUGE. Mone Jones has a lot of junkyard dog in her game; she's a scrapper, a grinder. I bet she ends up being a great defense/rebounding type of 3/4. Shakyna Payne oozes potential as a scoring force at power forward.

This is an NCAA Tournament team. I'm guessing 10-8 in the ACC, and a tough out even for the elite-level opponents.

Try to make it out to support the ladies if you get a chance! Can't beat an evening of good basketball! GO HOOS!