2025-26 MEAC preview

Howard’s Ty Grace now stands as the MEAC’s most seasoned head coach, guiding a program tabbed as the preseason favorite. The Bison headline a conference loaded with contenders eager to challenge both Howard and defending champion Norfolk State, which was picked second in the preseason poll.

This could also be the season, Maryland Eastern Shore and North Carolina Central breakthrough for deep postseason runs, thanks to the veteran experience anchoring both rosters. Morgan State has a roster loaded with explosive scorers. Meanwhile, Coppin State, Delaware State, and South Carolina State have plenty of talented, hungry players to make their mark.

Sit back, relax and enjoy an in-depth look at all eight programs for the upcoming season.

Many statistics, including those below the team names, are from the teams’ websites; all other data sources are hyperlinked.

You can read about every team or skip to your favorite using the following links:

Howard | Norfolk State | Maryland-Eastern Shore | North Carolina Central | Morgan State | Coppin State | Delaware State | South Carolina State

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Howard

2024-25 record: 22-12 (12-2 MEAC, postseason beat Siena and lost to College of Charleston in WNIT)
Preseason ranking: 1
2024-25 MEAC rankings: 2nd in offense, 65.7 points per game; 2nd in defense, 60.5 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 29.2% (5th-highest in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 29.9% (6th-highest in the league)

Tenth-year Howard women’s basketball coach Ty Grace is enthusiastically embracing expectations of excellence this year for her program. The Bison proudly welcome the target that comes with being named the MEAC preseason favorite because that’s the goal every year.

Howard has reached five straight MEAC championship games. Although the last three didn’t end in celebration, Grace has built one of the conference’s most consistent and respected championship-caliber programs.

Howard is determined and focused to live up to preseason prognostications, even though it has four players returning from last year’s squad that won a home WNIT game. The Bison welcome nine new players into their program who understand the assignment.

“It’s been hard coming up short,” Grace told reporters during MEAC media day. “It’s hard to sustain that type of success. We talk about getting back there. We get a chance to go, and when we get there, we want to win. Every time that we’ve had the opportunity, we put our best foot forward, and we came up short, but we know what the expectation is, what the standard is. I’m just looking forward to it each year and appreciate being in this position.”

This season’s Howard team has a chance to craft its own identity, as many of the prolific scorers from recent years have moved on. A bonding trip to Portugal during the summer accelerated team chemistry and renewed the program’s collective purpose.

The Bison’s foundation is literally and figuratively strong, anchored by a quartet of six-footers—Grace’s mini-Washington Monuments. The group is led by preseason first-team All-MEAC selections Zennia Thomas, a 6’2 senior forward, and 6’1 senior forward Nile Miller, who will set the tone for Howard’s pursuit of another championship run.

Howard was the only MEAC program with two players named to the preseason first team.

A human eraser, Miller is a two-time member of the MEAC All-Defensive Team. In addition to earning Third Team All-MEAC honors last season, Miller was fifth in the conference in blocked shots (1.1), tied for eighth in steals (1.6), and ninth in rebounding (5.3). Miller, who enters the season with 85 career blocked shots, also averaged 5.4 points in the 34 games she played last year.

Thomas, a Kentucky transfer, shot a MEAC-best 50 percent from the field in her first season as a Bison. Last season, she made the All-MEAC Third Team and All-Tournament Team. Thomas was among the MEAC leaders as she was tied for fourth in rebounding (7.2), seventh in free-throw percentage (65.8%), tied for eighth in blocks (0.7), and 10th in scoring (12.0). She had seven double-doubles in 33 games.

“Zennia kind of gets overlooked,” Grace said. “She’s always been a catalyst for us. I mean, she’s a defensive presence. She does all the things that you don’t stat sheet.”

Also returning for Howard are 6’0 junior forward Sa’lah Hemmingway and 6’5 senior forward Jenesis Perrin, who add frontcourt depth and tenacity. Hemmingway averaged 2.4 points and 2.4 rebounds last season, while Perrin appeared in nine games. Both are expected to play larger roles this year. April Edwards, a 5’7 redshirt sophomore guard, sat out last season. Grace believes she will be a difference-maker for the Bison this season.

Grace strengthened her roster with a strong group of transfers who bring athleticism, ball-handling, decision-making, maturity, and experience from competitive programs in 5’10 redshirt junior guard Zoe Stewart (Missouri State & Murray State), 6’1 junior forward Rayne Durant (UMass-Lowell), 6’0 sophomore forward Dallysshya Moreno (Stony Brook), and 5’10 junior guard Destiny Bynum-Johnson (Union County College).

Stewart, who earned Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week honors on Dec. 4, 2023, appeared in 19 games for the Lady Bears, averaging 1.8 points and 0.9 rebounds per game. During the 2023-24 season, Stewart played 31 games for Murray State and averaged 8.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 20.3 minutes.

Durant played 47 games for UMass-Lowell over the last two years. In starting all 28 contests last season, Durant averaged 9.5 points and 5.0 rebounds while leading UMass-Lowell with 29 blocked shots.  Moreno appeared in 29 games with one start and averaged 3.8 points per game. Bynum-Johnson joins Howard after a stellar career at Union County College, where she was named Region XIX Player of the Year and a First Team All-Region selection after averaging 20.4 points per game.

Grace is also excited about the potential of her freshman class that features 6’1 guard Dylan Watson, 5’6 guard Ariella Harrington, 5’9 guard Emma Nuquay, 5’11 forward Jada Kendrick, and 6’4 forward Penelope Swarn.

Grace knows this team will take time to mesh, but she’s confident that when March arrives, Howard will be in championship form once again. Despite all the new faces, the Bison believe this is the year they can finally evict their nemesis, Norfolk State, from the championship penthouse.

Norfolk State

2024-25 record: 30-5 (14-0 MEAC, postseason lost to Maryland in NCAA tournament)
Preseason ranking: 2
2024-25 MEAC rankings: 1st in offense, 74.3 points per game; 1st in defense, 56.6 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 27.9% (6th-highest in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 29.6% (7th-highest in the league)

The shower of green-and-gold confetti falling from the rafters of Scope Arena, players gleefully making snow angels on the court, cutting down nets, and lifting the big, brown trophy high has become a March tradition unlike any other for Norfolk State — the literal gold standard of the MEAC.

The Spartans have enjoyed an exquisite run of sustained excellence and success: three straight MEAC Tournament titles, three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, and 83 victories. With each triumph, they’ve widened the moat around their championship castle, further separating themselves from the competition.

Norfolk State has posted a 33-1 record against MEAC competition over the last two years and enters the season with a 31-game winning streak against conference opponents in which the average margin of victory has been a staggering 25.1 points per game. Norfolk State has won 13 straight contests against MEAC opponents by double-digits. MEAC tournament games are also included in these calculations.

The architect of that dynasty, Larry Vickers, has moved on to take the head coaching job at Auburn. Now, first-year head coach Jermaine Woods inherits the throne. After spending the past three seasons at Coppin State, Woods is excited about the opportunity to enrich Norfolk State’s legacy. One built on discipline, pride, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

“We’re going for it,” Woods said to reporters during MEAC media day on the ESPN+ broadcast. “That’s our hashtag. Going ‘four’ it. Our goal is to win another one. We want to win four in a row. We’re not shying away from it. We’re not running away from it. We talk about it every single day. We tweet it, we text it. So we’re trying to win a championship. The goal is to cut the nets down on March 15. That’s been the message.”

Despite changes, including a new coaching staff and defensive strategies, the Spartans are maintaining a high standard and working hard.

Woods is fortunate to inherit the MEAC’s best backcourt in 5’7 junior guard Da’Brya Clark and 5’8 junior guard Anjanae Richardson, twin terrors with quick feet, fast fingers, and huge hearts who stick to defenders like Old Bay on crabs. The experienced duo has played in big games, made winning plays throughout their careers, and enters this season with a focused agenda fueled by not being the preseason favorites.

A first-team preseason All-MEAC selection, Richardson won MEAC Sixth Player of the Year last season and earned a spot on the All-MEAC Third Team. She averaged 9.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals while shooting 38.3 percent from the field. Richardson scored in double figures 15 times, highlighted by a season-high 23 points and a career-high six assists against Virginia Lynchburg.

Meanwhile, Clark was a second-team preseason honoree. Last season, in averaging 9.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.8 steals, Clark was selected to the All-MEAC Third Team. Clark posted the fourth-best single-season 3-point percentage in the program’s Division I history (40.9%) and led the MEAC in the category.

Clark, who fueled Norfolk State’s victory over Auburn last season with a terrific performance, was also seventh in the MEAC in steals per game, blocks per game (0.8), eighth in 3-pointers made per game (1.3), eighth in field goal percentage (41.5%) and 11th in assists per game.

As the heartbeat of the Spartans’ two-way excellence, Richardson and Clark combined for 148 assists and 109 steals last season. When it comes to championships, the dynamic duo took Beyoncé’s advice literally by putting four rings on it, each winning two championships.

Norfolk State also returns 5’10 junior guard Jenesis Hill, 5’10 junior guard Amari Smith, and 6’2 senior forward Ciara Bailey. They each have championship rings and gained valuable experience last season. They will be counted on to play bigger roles this season. Hill averaged 3.2 points per game on 46.8% shooting in 18 games. Bailey averaged 1.6 points and 1.5 rebounds per game, while Smith averaged 1.9 points per game.

To reinforce his roster, Woods tapped into the transfer portal for seven experienced additions. Coming with Woods from Coppin State are 6’0 junior forward Cire Worley and 5’10 junior guard Niyah Gaston. They each helped Coppin State win a WNIT game last season.

Playing for her third school in three years, Worley, who played all 34 games for Coppin State, averaged 6.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. She shot 41% percent from the field and 33.1% from behind the arc, ranking ninth in the MEAC. Gaston averaged 5.1 points and 1.2 rebounds per game. She was sixth in the MEAC from behind the arc (47-of-164) and made the second-most 3-pointers during MEAC play with 33.

Other transfers include 5’8 graduate guard Jasha Clinton (Hampton), 5’6 graduate guard Jazmine Spencer (North Florida), 6’2 graduate forward Iyanna Rogers (Penn), 6’0 junior forward Carmen Kweti (Virginia State), and 6’2 sophomore center LaAire Nicks (George Mason).

Clinton, who also played two years at Temple, was Hampton’s leading scorer last season, averaging 13.6 points per game, while also contributing 2.3 steals, 2.3 assists, and 1.9 rebounds per contest. Woods is familiar with Spencer, as she scored 20 points against Coppin State last season. Spencer averaged 11.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. She also scored 20 or more points three times.

Rogers, who didn’t play last season, has played in 26 career games at Penn. Nicks played in 13 games for George Mason, averaging 1.1 points and 1.0 rebounds per game while helping the Patriots win the Atlantic 10 and qualify for the NCAA tournament.

Kweti, the CIAA Defensive Player of the Year, adds toughness and rebounding. She led the CIAA in rebounding (11.8 per game), ranking fourth in Division II. Kweti also received All-CIAA Front Court accolades.

Norfolk State may feature many new faces this season, but the standard remains unchanged, and so does the goal: to keep the confetti falling.

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Maryland-Eastern Shore

2024-25 record: 14-17 (8-6 MEAC)
Preseason ranking: 3
2024-25 MEAC rankings: 5th in offense, 61.4 points per game; 3rd in defense, 60.8 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 38.8% (4th-highest in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 43.3% (4th-highest in the league)

Visitors to Maryland Eastern Shore’s athletic website are greeted with the hashtag #SoarAboveAndBeyond. It’s a fitting mantra for a women’s basketball program on the rise. Under second-year head coach Malikah Willis, the Hawks are building on the surge that closed last season, when they advanced to the MEAC semifinals and enjoyed a six-game winning streak for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

Separated from most of Maryland by the Chesapeake Bay, life on the Shore moves at its own rhythm. A little quieter, a little tougher, and fueled by pride. The Hawks embrace that identity. With 5’11 junior forward Brianna Barnes and 5’9 senior guard Ashanti Lynch returning, the Hawks have championship aspirations this season.

The work started immediately after falling to Howard in the MEAC tournament. The program’s growth was visible not just in mindset, but in facilities, as the Hawks unveiled a new women’s basketball locker room.

Preseason All-MEAC selections, Lynch and Barnes embody the program’s blend of grit and grace.

“They’ve seen everything during their time here,” Willis said to reporters during MEAC’s media day. “They’ve seen the good, the bad, the ugly, and now we’re trending in the right direction. So, with them behind us, I think we’ll go far. … With the newcomers, their defensive mindset is what’s going to put us over the top. We did get better. We’re more talented, so I’m excited about that.”

Barnes made a significant impact in her first season as a Hawk. She started half of the 30 games she appeared in, averaging 8.6 points in 21.2 minutes per game. She was second on the team in assists and steals with 51 and 47, respectively. Barnes, who reached double digits in scoring 14 times, scored a career-high 18 points against Marquette last season.

A picture of perseverance, Lynch has played her entire career in Princess Anne. Last season, she averaged 8.6 points per game while playing 24.4 minutes per game. She started 26 of the 31 games she appeared in. Lynch reached double digits in scoring 12 times last season. She enters the season with 502 career points and 304 rebounds.

Willis is also excited to welcome back 6’2 senior forward Lainey Allen and 6’1 senior forward Dakieran Turner, both steady contributors who bring toughness, leadership, and tenacity. Allen, another four-year Hawk, averaged 4.2 points per game and led the team in blocked shots. Turner appeared in all 31 contests, averaging 5.2 points. The Hawks’ other returnee, 6’0 sophomore forward Candela Sabatar Sanchez, provides additional frontcourt depth.

Willis prioritized recruiting players who embody her core principles of toughness, intensity, and a defensive mindset. She believes this year’s roster reflects that vision with the addition of 5’9 sophomore guard Jaida Cameron (Cape Fear Community College), 5’7 graduate guard Dayshawna Carter (Monmouth), 5’11 graduate guard Zaniya Nelson (Eastern Michigan), 5’6 sophomore guard Kalise Hill (Morehead State), and 5’9 junior guard Enola Papin (Southern Georgia Technical College).

Cameron started 18 of 26 games last year, averaging 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. Carter, a veteran of multiple programs, averaged five points per game at Monmouth after previous stops at Garden City CC and Kansas City. Nelson brings 79 games of Division I experience from Eastern Michigan.

A McDonald’s All-American nominee, Hill averaged 3.3 points in her lone season at Morehead State. At the same time, Papin arrives with championship credentials after helping South Georgia Tech claim conference, region, and tournament titles. She earned GCAA All-Region First Team honors after setting the school record with 96 three-pointers and averaging 12.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

With a group of like-minded competitors in place, the Hawks now aim to elevate their scoring and strengthen their perimeter play. Freshmen Kaliya Perry, a 6’0 freshman forward, Desi Taylor, a 5’7 freshman guard, and Jailynn Clinton, a 5’9 freshman guard, round out the Hawks’ roster.

This season, opponents know what’s coming, but that won’t make the challenge any easier because under Willis’ leadership, the Hawks are already soaring.

North Carolina Central

2024-25 record: 9-21 (6-8 MEAC)
Preseason ranking: 4
2024-25 MEAC rankings: 5th in offense, 60.7 points per game; 8th in defense, 79.2 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 62.0% (highest in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 59.1% (highest in the league)

Second-year North Carolina Central head women’s basketball coach Terrance Baxter is optimistic because he believes his Eagles have the perfect formula for success this season. The Eagles are battle-tested and experienced, and they feature promising newcomers who should give them an extra edge.

Leading the way is 6’1 graduate forward Morgan Callahan, the Preseason MEAC Player of the Year and a preseason First Team All-MEAC selection. Callahan’s return transforms the Eagles from good to dangerous. One of the conference’s most decorated performers, she enters the season with 1,047 points and 702 rebounds, making her just the fourth NCCU player in the Division I era to surpass both 1,000 points and 600 rebounds.

“First of all, congrats to Morgan Callahan for being preseason Player of the Year,” Baxter said to reporters during MEAC media day. “As soon as I saw it, I texted her and told her, Now, let’s go get it. She could have left to go work, but she decided to come back for one more year. So, I asked her, What are your goals? Because I wanted to make sure my goals weren’t too big for her, and they aligned … She wants to win the league, and that’s what she came back for.”

There’s no truth to the rumor that Callahan has been at NCCU as long as the historic James Shepard statue, which was erected in 1957 as a lasting tribute to the founder of the college, but her impact on the Eagle program certainly makes it feel that way. Between earning a COVID year and a redshirt season following a sophomore-year injury, this will mark Callahan’s sixth season in maroon and gray.

Last season, Callahan ranked among the top MEAC players in several categories. She was eighth in points per game (12.5) and third in rebounds per game (8.3), blocks per game (1.7), and minutes per game (35.7), ranking 35th nationally.

A two-time All-MEAC and All-MEAC Defensive Team performer, Callahan posted eight double-doubles last season. Her steady leadership, poise, and maturity make a difference for an NCCU program returning seven players. And while Callahan remains the cornerstone, Baxter knows sustained success will depend on the pieces around her because this year’s lineup offers plenty to be excited about.

In addition to Callahan, 5’8 sophomore guard Shakiria Foster earned preseason second-team honors while 5’11 graduate forward Aniya Finger and 5’8 junior guard Aysia Hinton were preseason third-team selections. They provide depth, versatility, and experience.

Foster made an immediate impact as a freshman last season, ranking third on the team in points per game (10.2), which was 14th in the MEAC. She was also tied for 11th in 3-pointers made per game (1.1) and 14th in field goal percentage (37.6%). Her sharpshooting skills earned her a spot on the MEAC All-Rookie team. Foster scored in double figures 17 times, including 24 points against Furman.

Finger, who missed last season due to injury, was a steady force in the paint the previous two seasons, averaging nearly 10 points and seven rebounds.

Among the league’s top perimeter scorers a season ago, Hinton ranked fourth in the conference in both three-pointers made (53) and three-point field goals made per game (1.8) and 11th in three-point field goal percentage (.323). In addition to being the team’s three-point leader, Hinton averaged 6.8 points per game. Hinton and Foster combined to make 85 3-pointers.

Expected to play a bigger role this season for the Eagles are 5’9 sophomore guard Victoria Morris, 5’9 graduate guard Tierney Coleman, and 6’0 sophomore forward Dianna Blake. They gained valuable experience last season. Coleman averaged 6.6 points in the 12 games she played.

To complement that returning core, Baxter bolstered his roster with a strong group of transfers who bring size, maturity, and experience from competitive programs in 6’1 sophomore forward TeKeyah Bland (Howard), 5’5 senior guard Najah Lane (Delaware State), 6’5 graduate center Madjiguene Pene (Shaw), 5’5 graduate guard Natalie Jasper (Boston), and 6’0 redshirt senior forward Nia Young (Charlotte).

Bland and Lane understand the grind of MEAC competition. Bland played nine games for Howard during the 2023-24 season. Lane led Delaware State with 70 assists and averaged 6.8 points in 29 games. Pene played 47 career games for Division II Shaw University.

Jasper, who played for two years at Boston, appeared in 11 games and made one start. Jasper also played two years at Georgetown. Young played 71 career games at Charlotte.

Baxter is also excited to add 5’7 freshman guard Amaya Harris, 6’0 freshman forward Aaliyah Grant, and 5’6 freshman guard Kendall Alexander to the Eagle program, where they’ll compete for playing time.

With veteran leadership, renewed depth, and a roster built to compete, North Carolina Central looks ready to challenge for the MEAC crown and turn Baxter’s optimism into reality.

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Morgan State

2024-25 record: 13-17 (6-8 MEAC)
Preseason ranking: 5
2024-25 MEAC rankings: 6th in offense, 59.3 points per game; 5th in defense, 64.9 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 55.2% (2nd-highest in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 54.3% (2nd-highest in the league)

First-year Morgan State head coach Nadine Domond brings a winning pedigree and a commitment to player development to Cold Spring Lane. The Bears are an intriguing team this season, returning several key contributors from a group that closed last year strong with back-to-back victories to end the regular season.

Morgan State has the talent, energy, and experience to make plenty of noise in the MEAC this season. The Bears will be fueled by their terrific triumvirate of 5’7 senior guard Ja’la Bannerman, 5’8 senior guard Gabrielle Johnson, and 6’2 senior center Jael Butler. They all earned preseason All-MEAC recognition. They provide Domond with an excellent foundation to build her championship vision.

A first-team preseason All-MEAC honoree, Bannerman started 16 of 24 games, averaging 8.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. The Baltimore native ranked 14th in the MEAC in 3-point field goal percentage (29.8%), 18th in 3-pointers made per game (1.0), and 20th in scoring. Bannerman led the team in 3-pointers made with 25 and reached double figures in scoring 10 times, including a season-high 21 points in a win against Shepherd.

Bannerman transferred to Morgan State last season after two years at Maryland-Eastern Shore. Domond immediately saw her potential and has challenged her to rise higher. The team’s motto, “standards over feelings,” demanded an adjustment early on, but Bannerman has embraced it.

“Practice has been intense with a capital I, but it’s good for us, and we know it’s going to pay off,” Bannerman said to reporters during MEAC media day. “We’re working hard and coming together as a team. … It was a little rough for me coming in with Coach D, but what made me stand 10 toes down was that she means really well and wants the best for us. She means business.”

Johnson and Butler were selected as preseason third-team All-MEAC. Butler averaged 7.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game last season. She started 18 of 27 games played. Butler ranked fifth in the MEAC in field goal percentage (43.9%), eighth in blocked shots (0.7), 14th in rebounding, and 22nd in scoring.

Meanwhile, Johnson is one of the top ball-handlers in the conference. She ranked 12th in the MEAC in assists (2.1) and 21st in scoring (8.0) last season. Johnson averaged 2.3 rebounds per game. She started in 13 of 25 games and scored in double figures six times last season. She enters the season with 513 points and 151 assists in 79 total games. Together, Johnson and Bannerman combined for 47 made 3-pointers.

Another key returnee is 5’6 sophomore guard Michaela Bogans, who averaged 5.5 points per game. She scored double figures four times last season. Her 20 points helped Morgan State beat North Carolina Central, and 10 points enabled the Bears to edge Towson.

Expected to play larger roles this season for the Bears are 5’8 junior guard Dakota Austin, 6’0 senior forward Success Prysock, 5’9 senior guard Kimora Daly, and 6’2 junior forward Maya Woodson. Prysock, Austin, and Woodson all averaged at least 10 minutes per game last season. They will all provide experience and stability for the Bears this upcoming season.

Domond also retooled her roster through the transfer portal, adding several players with proven résumés and winning DNA. She welcomes two familiar faces from Virginia State in 5’4 senior guard Mihjae Hayes and 5’4 graduate guard Tiyanna James — a dynamic backcourt duo profiled by The IX — that combined to average 17.7 points and 143 assists last season while leading the Trojans to consecutive 20-win campaigns, a CIAA championship berth, and an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Additional newcomers include 6’2 junior forward Tyra Brown (North Florida), 5’11 senior guard/forward Kailyn Nash (Alabama A&M), 5’6 junior guard Salina Gutierrez (College of Southern Nevada), 5’11 junior guard Kamari Forrest (Kilgore College), and 6’2 senior forward Sierra Headquist (Xavier, La.). Each brings a unique skill set and positional versatility that strengthens Morgan State’s rotation.

Brown appeared in 29 games at Chipola College before transferring to North Florida, where she averaged 3.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in limited action. Nash arrives after stops at Alabama A&M and Central State, where she set the NCAA Division II single-season record with 75 blocks and earned first-team All-SIAC honors. Gutierrez averaged 13.4 points and 3.2 assists last year, Forrest adds length and athleticism on the wing, and Headquist brings experience from Xavier (La.), where she averaged 5.4 points and 5.4 rebounds for a 29-win team.

Domond’s message is clear: success starts with standards, discipline, and belief. With veterans who’ve bought in and newcomers eager to make their mark, Morgan State is laying the foundation for something lasting and demonstrating qualities that could make the Bears one of the MEAC’s most dangerous teams this season.

Coppin State

2024-25 record: 19-15 (8-6 MEAC, postseason beat Cornell and lost to Cleveland State in WNIT)
Preseason ranking: 6
2024-25 MEAC rankings: 3rd in offense, 63.1 points per game; 4th in defense, 63.5 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 3.9% (8th-highest in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 3.3% (8th-highest in the league)

As the only returning player from last season, Coppin State’s 5’6 sophomore guard Mickelle Lowry must’ve felt like Will Smith in that unforgettable Fresh Prince of Bel-Air finale — standing alone in an empty living room, surrounded by silence and memories.

But she didn’t stay lonely for long. Energetic first-year head coach Darrell Mosley got to work the moment he was hired in April, attacking the transfer portal with fury and the recruiting trail with purpose. The result: 14 new faces ready to make their mark alongside Lowry — nine transfers and five freshmen eager to embrace the challenge.

A proven winner, Mosley built a championship program when he coached at Division II Lincoln (Pa.) University, his alma mater. He was an assistant coach at Delaware when the Blue Hens won the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) tournament and competed at the NCAA tournament. Now, he’s bringing that same energy, vision, and championship pedigree to North Avenue.

“We know we got to put in the work every day, and so we’re preparing them now for what it’s going to look like,” Mosley said to reporters during MEAC media day. “They just have to show up and punch the clock every day. We’re going to work hard. We know nobody’s going to give anything to us. Nobody’s going to care that we have 14 newcomers. Nobody’s going to care how tough our schedule is.”

Lowry, who earned a MEAC Rookie of the Week accolade, played in 28 games and made a pair of starts, averaging 2.6 points and 0.8 rebounds along with 15 assists and 11 steals in 9.6 minutes per game. She scored a career-high 14 points against Howard. Lowry, who made 15 3-pointers last season, has championship credentials as she played at Baltimore Poly-Tech, one of the most tradition-rich high school programs in the country.

Mosley’s transfer class is highlighted by 5’11 senior guard Jahcelyn Hatfield (North Texas) and 5’11 junior guard Khila Morris (Troy). Mosley is looking for leadership and scoring from the experienced duo. Hatfield, who didn’t play last season, helped North Texas win the American Athletic Conference regular-season Title and the WNIT. Mosley believes her best basketball is ahead of her as she’s seen limited action in three years.

Morris appeared in 37 games with four starts and averaged 4.0 points with 1.9 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game. She helped Troy advance to the WNIT championship game last season, where she scored 11 points.

Additional transfers expected to play meaningful minutes for Coppin State include 5’6 senior guard Paris McBride (Morehead State), 5’9 senior guard Skylar Barnes (Southeast Missouri State), 5’8 junior guard Erin Henry (Wabash Valley College), 6’0 senior forward Sydney Barnes (UNC Asheville), 6’2 sophomore forward Jada Collins (Tennessee State), 6’0 sophomore forward Shanaii Gamble (LIU), and 6’2 senior center Patricia Sosa Lora (Xavier).

McBride, who didn’t play last season, saw action in 25 games and averaged 2.3 points with 1.3 rebounds in 9.8 minutes per game during the 2023-24 campaign for Morehead State. Barnes, who scored in double figures 10 times last season, started in 18 of 26 games and averaged 7.2 points with 2.5 rebounds. She also played two years at Blinn College and one year at Morehead State.

Henry is another player used to winning. She started 34 games, averaging 10.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists at Wabash Valley College, where she helped the team win 31 games and advance to the NJCAA National Quarterfinals after an 18-game winning streak. Burris averaged 3.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in 24 games. Collins averaged 1.4 points with 1.8 rebounds in 22 games. Gamble started in three of her four games, averaging 8.0 points and 3.5 rebounds.

Sosa Lora brings international experience as she represented the Dominican Republic at the 2025 Women’s Americup tournament. She helped Xavier advance to the NAIA Round of 16 after averaging 8.5 points and 7.5 rebounds.

Mosley is also excited about his freshman class, which includes 5’10 guard Jordan Adderly, 5’11 guard Kylie Wells, 5’11 guard Seimone Newton, 5’8 guard Kyley Gary-Grayson, and 6’1 forward Princess Nwochukwu — a versatile group eager to make its mark.

For Lowry, what was once an empty set now has a full cast. The Eagles are growing together, embracing Mosley’s energy and expectations. Once it finds its stride, Coppin State has the talent, depth, and motivation to make plenty of noise in the MEAC.

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Delaware State

2024-25 record: 5-24 (1-13 MEAC)
Preseason ranking: 7
2024-25 MEAC rankings: 7th in offense, 54.5 points per game; 7th in defense, 71.7 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 24.0% (7th-highest in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 32.0% (5th-highest in the league)

Even with 13 new faces on the roster, second-year Delaware State head coach Jazmone Turner takes comfort in the return of 6’0 sophomore forward Erika Huggins and 5’9 junior guard Mahogany Cottingham, an underrated inside-outside duo poised to lead the Hornets this season.

A second-team preseason All-MEAC selection, Huggins is a two-way threat who averaged 6.8 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game, which was sixth in the conference, last season. Huggins, who also averaged 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks, was named to the All-MEAC Rookie Team after starting 15 games and playing in 25. After posting six double-doubles, including standout performances against Norfolk State and South Carolina State, Huggins was named MEAC Co-Rookie of the Week in February.

Cottingham also shined last season for the Hornets, ranking ninth in the MEAC in scoring (12.1 ppg). The North Dakota transfer found her rhythm in Dover, finishing sixth in three-pointers made per game (1.5), eighth in three-point percentage (33.3%), and scoring in double figures 19 times — including a career-high 32-point outing against Cheyney.

“We have some returners from last year setting the foundation here,” Turner told reporters during MEAC media day. “They understand me, and the habits that we want to have is translating to this year. … We are moving the needle, making positive progress and showing that we all have good habits while being connected the entire season.”

Turner welcomes a seasoned group of transfers who will add experience and depth around her returning core: 6’3 senior forward Zyan Reynolds (Mississippi Valley State), 5’7 graduate guard Nykesha Sanders (East Texas A&M), 5’8 junior guard Channing Williams (Temple), 5’7 junior guard Jermesha Frierson (Northwestern State), 5’9 senior guard/forward Aniya Jones (Limestone), and 5’10 junior guard Kaitlyn Adams (Queens University). She believes their experience will help support Huggins and Cottingham.

A Baltimore native, this is Reynolds’ third school. She played at Texas Southern from 2021-23, appearing in 23 games. Last season, Reynolds appeared in five games, playing 12.8 minutes per game. She’s a defensive presence and is a fierce rebounder. A solid ballhandler with excellent court vision, Sanders played last year at East Texas A&M, where she played 29 games, starting 19, with averages of 3.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, and a team-leading 3.8 assists per game. Before East Texas A&M, Sanders was a two-time NJCAA Division I All-Conference and All-Region honoree at Paris Junior College. 

After not playing last season, Williams is excited to return to the court. During the 2023-24 season, she played limited minutes in six games for Temple. Frierson is also excited for a fresh start after spending the last two seasons at Northwestern State, where she appeared in 40 games, making four starts while averaging 9.5 minutes per game.

Jones, who is competing for her fourth program in four years, has championship experience from her time as a member of Barton College’s Carolinas Conference championship team in 2022, averaging 3.1 points, 1.7 points and 1.0 assists in 29 games. Last season, she averaged 11.4 points per game at Limestone. Between the two Division II stops, Jones spent a year at East Georgia State College, where she averaged 5.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.

Adams played in 45 games in her time at Queens. Last season, she played in 20 games and averaged 4.4 points and 2.4 rebounds with a season-high 17 points in one contest and a season-best five steals in another.

Delaware State has a solid freshman class anchored by 6’2 center Lilian Harrison, 5’9 guard Toni Smith, 6’1 forward Iman Addison, 5’6 guard Layla Burton, 5’6 guard Neveah Reaves, 6’1 forward Anise Gieger, and 5’3 guard Amaya Scott. They look to provide additional depth and long-term promise.

With Huggins and Cottingham anchoring the lineup and a talented mix of transfers and freshmen stepping into key roles, the Hornets are positioned to outperform expectations. After weathering last season’s growing pains, Delaware State enters the new year with optimism and the balance needed to climb the MEAC standings.

South Carolina State

2024-25 record: 2-29 (1-13 MEAC)
Preseason ranking: 8
2024-25 MEAC rankings: 8th in offense, 49.8 points per game; 6th in defense, 71.0 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 44.6% (3rd-highest in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 50.2% (3rd-highest in the league)

A new era begins in Orangeburg this season.

In returning to the MEAC, longtime successful coach Cedric Baker is making the two-hour drive up Interstate 95 from Savannah State to revive the Bulldog program. He has the credentials and experience to elevate South Carolina State. During his tenure at Savannah State, when the Tigers were members of the MEAC, Baker guided them to the 2015 MEAC Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament appearance before the school transitioned to Division II.

Baker won 262 games during his 22-year career at Savannah State, making him the winningest coach in program history across both Division I and Division II eras. His legacy includes winning the 2015 MEAC tournament’s Most Outstanding Coach award, as well as developing several elite student-athletes, including Ezinne Kalu, the Tigers’ only WNBA player and Olympian, who represents Nigeria.

Baker is excited about the challenge ahead. South Carolina State hasn’t finished with a record at or above .500 since going 16-16 in the 2018-19 season. Since the start of the 2019-20 season, including a winless COVID campaign, South Carolina State has won 17 games.

Fortunately for Baker, he has a strong foundation to build on as the Bulldogs return their top two scorers from last season: 5’6 senior guard Shaunice Reed and 5’10 senior forward Angie Juste-Jean, the highest-scoring returning duo in the MEAC. They also combined to make 45 3-pointers last season.

Reed, who started 13 games, averaged 11.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in 24 games last season for the Bulldogs. A dynamic scorer who was 12th in the MEAC, Reed scored in double figures 11 times and had five games of at least 20 or more points. She scored a career-high 27 points against Coastal Carolina. Reed was ninth in the MEAC last season in 3-pointers made per game (1.2) and field goal percentage (41.1%), 12th in 3-point field goal percentage (32.2%), and 24th in steals per game (1.2).

Juste-Jean averaged 10.4 points per game, which would’ve been 15th in the MEAC if she were eligible to be ranked among the conference leaders. Starting 17 of the 19 games she played, Juste-Jean averaged 21.8 minutes and 3.4 rebounds per game. She shot 73.4% from the foul line and scored in double figures nine times, with a 25-point performance in a close road setback at Morgan State.

While Reed and Juste-Jean are the headliners, Baker is also happy to have key performers from last season returning in 5’11 junior forward Monajah Ford, 6’3 junior center Heaven Harper, 5’7 senior guard Janiah Hinton, and 5’10 sophomore forward Kamora Smith. Ford, Harper, and Hinton played in all 31 games last season for the Bulldogs.

Ford, who started nine games, averaged 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds in 15.6 minutes. Harper made 10 starts, averaging 2.9 points and 3.2 rebounds in 15.2 minutes. Hinton started 23 games and averaged 2.9 points. She also had 32 assists and 27 steals. Smith averaged 1.7 points in 24 games.

Baker believes transfers 5’7 junior guard DaH’Neisha Blige (East Georgia State College), 5’7 senior guard Mya Bryd (Savannah State), 5’6 sophomore guard Mya Giles (Trinity Valley Community College), 6’3 senior center Bianca Glover (Towson and CCBC Essex), 5’9 senior Feliah Greer (Miles College), 5’6 senior guard Lemyiah Harris (Miles College), 5’10 sophomore forward Alexcia Murphy (Cowley College), and 5’7 senior guard Ariana Simmons (Alabama State) will be impactful.

The athletic Blige provides strong on-ball defense, while Byrd reunites with Baker after averaging 11.7 points per game at Savannah State. Giles averaged 5.2 points across 28 games. Glover, who appeared in 19 games for Towson during the 2021–22 season, adds size and experience in the post. Simmons, who competed for Alabama State during the 2023–24 season, also brings Division I experience to the mix.

Baker is already familiar with Greer and Harris, having coached against them during their time at Miles College. The duo helped Miles capture back-to-back Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles and earn NCAA Division II Tournament berths. Harris, who has scored 1,249 career collegiate points, led Miles in scoring last season with 11.7 points per game, while Greer followed closely at 10.6 points.

A talented player who scored over 1,500 points and grabbed over 1,000 rebounds during her high school career, Murphy averaged 9.8 points per game last season at Cowley College. The Bulldogs’ lone freshman, 5’6 guard Dream Watson from Charleston, represents the program’s promise.

The road up I-95 may be short, but the climb back to prominence will require patience, and Baker’s just getting started. With his track record of building winners, South Carolina State believes this new era can restore the pride and winning once synonymous with Bulldogs basketball.