Division II women's hoops preview

Division II women

East Coast Conference

C.W. Post

A banner year for the women's team at C.W. Post culminated with the East Coast Conference crown for the first time since 2001. Two-time East Coast Conference player of the year Janea Aiken has graduated, but coach Deirdre Moore may still has enough from last year's 17-13 team to defend its conference title.

Guards Felicia Joyner (12.7), Ashley Caggiano Kenyatta Sears and Alexis Peters form a strong core of guards. At forward, Catherine Lutz and Samantha Kopp have transferred from Iona. F Nicolette Marciniak (8.1, 5.6) blocked 30 shots. Forwards Shayna Gatling and Nijah LaCourt will see increased minutes.

Dowling

Joe Pellicane begins his eighth season and has all his top players back from last year's 17-12 finish. Leading scorer Connie Simmons (11.2) returns, so does F Sarah Schicher (10.5, 8.0). G Seja Gamble (8.6) completes the experienced returnees. The newcomers are G Christine Verrelle and F Kristin McMahon, who attended St. John the Baptist.

Molloy

Injuries held back Molloy as the Lions finished 8-13. The return of G Ashley Addison (10.9), G Christina Marra (9.5) and Jessica DeNicola (7.5) could put Molloy back into contention in the ECC. Coach Tim O'Hagan has brought in three transfers, led by G Laura Rivera, who played in Division I at Manhattan. G Julia Finlay was at UNC-Wilmington and G Amanda Bartlett has transferred from Queens, where she averaged 20.1 points.

NYIT

Coach Anthony Crocitto looks to improve on a 6-15 record with the return go all-ECC G Cierra Baker (17.5, 12.4) and G Rebecca Lynch (11.2, 6.0). Also returning is G Demitra Apergis, who made the all-rookie team. Newcomers include F Amber Davis, C Chloe Johnson, a transfer from Queens, G Nikki Jo Rotolo, G Sabrina Moore and G Ashley Hightower.

Queens

Queens, 10-19 last season, will rebuild under new coach Bet Naumovski. Senior G Cadie Chu (7.1) and sophomore G Nicole Caggiano (6.5) are back. PG Bria Jackson, a transfer from Maryland-Eastern Shore, will help. F Megan Lonergan and F Samantha Gillman, a transfer from Monroe CC, will contribute.

Northeast-10 Conference

Adelphi

This is the second season for coach Heather Jacobs. She had an 8-18 record, 5-17 in the highly competitive NE-10. G/F Kara Tancredi (11.8, 6.1), F Jessica Kitrys (9.1, 5.3) are the experienced players. Four new freshman forwards join the team: Kelly Mananix, Samantha Milhaven, Jenna Halaby and Breanna Gonsalves.