An Inside Look at - Lehman College
An Inside Look at Lehman Colle ge Women Colleg omen’’s w Bask etball Season Pr evie Pre view Basketball No longer taking baby steps, or considered rebuilding, the Lehman College women’s basketball team looks to take the next giant stride in the program’s progression as it enters the 2006-07 season. With nine returning players, and a cast of exciting newcomers, anticipation of greatness looms on the Bronx campus. Ninth-year head coach Eric Harrison returns to the sidelines for the Lightning. Harrison, the all-time winningest coach in Lehman College history, and the longest tenured collegiate coach in the Bronx, will look to lead his seasoned squad to the CUNY finals, and an automatic NCAA berth. Lehman fans are very excited as the Lightning return all five starters from last year’s squad, which came just twenty minutes away from advancing to the conference championship. Senior guard Kathy Santiago will assume the point guard duties for the Lightning. After taking over the reigns in the second half of last season, Santiago is back and better than ever. The former CUNY conference Rookie of the Year has regained the form that led her to All-American status in her freshman season. Lehman also boasts one of the best talents in the CUNY athletic conference in 5’11” forward Sally Nnamani. Nnamani, a sophomore out of Warwick, New York is the reigning CUNY conference Rookie of the Year, and is coming off of a season in which she led the Lightning with 15.8 points per game, while totatling a conference high 3.2 blocks per game. Nnamani was selected as a third-team all region selection by D3 Hoops.com. If the Lightning’s championship expectations are to be met, Lehman will also rely on the steady play of junior Tiara Carroll. Carroll, a 5’10” guard has developed into one of the top playmakers in the CUNY conference. Carroll, who averaged
personal highs of 8.9 points per game, to go along with 8.4 rebounds per game will look to improve on her previous two seasons, and will share time both at the point guard position and the forward position. All-star center Maria Loor returns to the post position, to anchor a very solid Lightning frontcourt. Loor, the 2004-05 CUNY conference Rookie of the Year, finished last season with 11.1 points per game, to go along with 10.4 rebounds per game. Rounding out the returning starters is 5’10” swing player Monique Sampson. Sampson, a versatile forward who provides the energy for the Lightning squad. Coach Harrison will be looking for an extended role from Sampson who joined the squad midway through last season after recovering from an ACL injury. “We are fortunate enough to have a starting unit that can match up with any program in the country,” said Harrison. “With a young energetic bench, we have added more depth which we have not had in previous seasons.” Juniors, Sheila Harris and Toneifah Taylor and senior Shirley Arrieta will look to contribute, while freshman Zelda Pauldon, Elainal Cabral, and Shandalise Calcano will look to see minutes for the Lightning. Sophomore Anna Cannon returns to the Lightning after a one year hiatus. Lehman will begin the season at the Kean University tip-off tournament, and will also challenge nonconfernece foes, Hartwick College, William Paterson University and Western Connecticut. The CUNY tournament this year will be held at the historic Nat Holman Gymnasium on the campus of CCNY, with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III national tournament. A tournament the Lightning will look to prevail.
Sophomore forwards, Sally Nnamani (top), and Monique Sampson (below) lookLoor to lead to Sophomores Maria (top)Lehman and title. both are depended KristyCUNY Faust (bottom) on to lead the way for the Lightning.
personal highs of 8.9 points per game, to go along with 8.4 rebounds per game will look to improve on her previous two seasons, and will share time both at the point guard position and the forward position. All-star center Maria Loor returns to the post position, to anchor a very solid Lightning frontcourt. Loor, the 2004-05 CUNY conference Rookie of the Year, finished last season with 11.1 points per game, to go along with 10.4 rebounds per game. Rounding out the returning starters is 5’10” swing player Monique Sampson. Sampson, a versatile forward who provides the energy for the Lightning squad. Coach Harrison will be looking for an extended role from Sampson who joined the squad midway through last season after recovering from an ACL injury. “We are fortunate enough to have a starting unit that can match up with any program in the country,” said Harrison. “With a young energetic bench, we have added more depth which we have not had in previous seasons.” Juniors, Sheila Harris and Toneifah Taylor and senior Shirley Arrieta will look to contribute, while freshman Zelda Pauldon, Elainal Cabral, and Shandalise Calcano will look to see minutes for the Lightning. Sophomore Anna Cannon returns to the Lightning after a one year hiatus. Lehman will begin the season at the Kean University tip-off tournament, and will also challenge nonconfernece foes, Hartwick College, William Paterson University and Western Connecticut. The CUNY tournament this year will be held at the historic Nat Holman Gymnasium on the campus of CCNY, with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III national tournament. A tournament the Lightning will look to prevail.
Sophomore forwards, Sally Nnamani (top), and Monique Sampson (below) lookLoor to lead to Sophomores Maria (top)Lehman and title. both are depended KristyCUNY Faust (bottom) on to lead the way for the Lightning.
