PREVIEW: Women's Basketball Looks To Continue Winning Ways

2016-17 Schedule | 2016-17 Roster

WESTON, Mass. - The four-time defending New England Collegiate Conference champion Regis (Mass.) women’s basketball team is just three days away from opening its title defense with a game against the Wildcats of Johnson & Wales University. The Pride returns four starters from the 2015-16 team, and head coach Angela Santa Fe, entering her fourth season at the helm, breaks down her roster as follows.

POINT GUARDS

#2 Mikayla Murphy - Senior, 5-4, Attleboro, Mass. - Captain
#22 Melissa Rogers - Sophomore, 5-5, Billerica, Mass.

The point guard position on the Pride women’s basketball team will be led by senior co-captain Mikayla Murphy. The guard started 24 games last season and led the team with an average of 31.2 minutes per game. “She’s exceptional with controlling the pace of the game, and creating offense,” said Santa Fe. “She’s also a scorer and has worked really hard this past summer in order to improve her shooting range which will open up the court for us.”

Alongside Murphy at the point guard position is sophomore Melissa Rogers, who did not play last season after suffering a season-ending torn ACL in the preseason.”Melissa has deep range and sees the floor well,” said Santa Fe. “We’re looking forward to her enhancing (the point guard) position throughout the season.”
 

GUARDS

#1 Chayla Louro - Sophomore, 5-3, Randolph, Mass.
#4 Maura Russell - Sophomore, 5-7, Braintree, Mass.
#10 Shannon Hayes - Junior, 5-7, Billerica, Mass.
#24 Brandi Bonneau - Junior, 5-6, Derry, N.H.
#31 Sydney Brennan - Freshman, 5-7, North Reading, Mass.
#32 Natalie Hill - Freshman, 5-8, Houlton, Maine

At the guard position, Shannon Hayes was one of the Pride’s leading scorers in 2015-16, ranking third on the team with 8.4 points per game as just a freshman. “Shannon has an incredible pull-up jumper and has worked hard to improve her range from the three-point line,” said Santa Fe. “She’s one of our toughest players and has been a great asset at the three position.”

Sophomore Maura Russell, who Santa Fe called arguably the team’s most consistent three-point shooter, and junior Brandi Bonneau will split time at the Pride’s second position. “They are very similar players but contribute in different ways for what is best for the team,” said Santa Fe. “We are excited to see them both on the floor at the guard spot this year.”
 

POSTS

#5 Amanda Hawkesworth - Senior, 5-11, Abington, Mass. - Captain
#11 Sam D’Angelo - Sophomore, 5-10, Woburn, Mass.
#15 Brittany Stone - Junior, 6-1, West Bridgewater, Mass.
#23 Linsay Bumila - Junior, 5-11, Raynham, Mass.
#25 Abby Cuddy - Sophomore, 6-0, Charlestown, R.I.
#34 Taylor Iorfino - Freshman, 6-0, Monroe, Conn.

“The post position is our strong suit,” said Santa Fe of her team, which was the NCAA statistical champion last year in rebounding differential, averaging 16 more rebounds per game than its opponents. The Pride’s leading post player is reigning NECC Player of the Year Amanda Hawkesworth. Hawkesworth hit the 1,000-point plateau last season as a junior and led the team with 17.3 points per game. “Amanda is tough and a great leader on our team,” said Santa Fe. “She’s just extremely versatile, and to have a bigger lineup, we can utilize her at the guard spot as well.”

Right behind Hawkesworth last season, ranking second on the Pride with 15.5 points per game and leading the way with 9.6 rebounds per game was now-junior Brittany Stone. Stone had an unprecedented 14 double-doubles last season as a sophomore, and Santa Fe expects more big things from the West Bridgewater, Mass. native in this upcoming season. “She has improved every year and has been dominant on the boards. Defensively, she’s become much stronger and more versatile in the post as well.” 

The Pride opens up its season on Friday evening when it takes on Johnson & Wales in Biddeford, Maine. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.