December 15, 2010
HCV Preview: Marist
Sophomore Alexis Wilson moves over to point guard in her second year as a starter.
Click Here for Marist girls basketball photos
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
With size at such a premium having one tall scorer such as Antoinette Blake in the paint is an advantage. With the addition of Jasmine Brandon, Marist has luxury of having two such players to help create nightmares for opposing defenses this season.
“It definitely creates matchup problems,” head coach Damel Ling said. “While some teams can match up with one, I don’t know how many can match up with two posts in the paint like we have.”
Playing together hasn’t been a problem for Blake and Brandon who are cousins.
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The 6-foot-2 Blake, who is committed to Gannon University, averaged 13.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and four blocks per game last season. Already a terror in the paint, Blake will be able to display a developing perimeter game thanks to the presence of the 5-foot-10 Brandon who moved to the area from North Carolina.
“Antoinette has improved her shooting,” said Ling, noting the impact it will have for her on the college level. “She has extended her range. Having Jasmine has allowed (Antoinette) to move out more to the perimeter.”
The Royal Knights’ size advantage goes beyond Blake and Brandon. Forwards Destiny Brewer (5-foot-11) and Ebony Woods (5-foot-10) provide depth off the bench. Another tall mismatch will come mid-season with junior Marisa McCabe. McCabe, who will have to sit out the first 30 days of the season after transferring from Cedar Grove, is a 6-footer with the size to play forward to go with the passing and shooting skills to play at guard.
Sophomore Alexis Randle takes over at point guard for Marist after starting at shooting guard last year. While Ling admits there have been some minor growing pains with the switch, the 5-foot-3 Wilson looks to build upon a big finish last season when she showed the ability to be a dangerous scorer.
“Confidence wise it was big for her,” Ling said. “She showed to herself that she can play on the varsity level.”
Junior Angela Randle is a returning starter at guard for the Royal Knights. The third guard in Marist’s lineup is a competition between sophomore Diamond Kirkland and freshmen Kayla Rowan and Angela Lenzo.
Rowan, who will likely get the first crack at the spot, is an advanced defender at this stage of her career. Lenzo is the best scorer of the three and a threat from the perimeter. Kirkland is a mix of both offense and defense and has impressed early on with her toughness.
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