CAA notebook: Gigi Gamble and Divine Dibula fueling Monmouth’s rise to the top

Gamble and Dibula discussed the Hawks’ penchant for going to the movies to see horror flicks. Wetmore made a funny face when Gamble revealed her secret talent of making macaroni and cheese. Gamble and Dibula winced in horror when the subject of circles and arrows came up during film study.

Mostly, Gamble couldn’t stop smiling as she reflected on the arduous road that led her to Monmouth and second Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Player of the Week award last Monday. Gamble, the Hawks’ 5-foot-5 catalyst, started at Division III Kean College before spending a year at CCBC Essex and eventually coming to Monmouth, where she is part of a balanced, talented program with serious CAA championship aspirations.

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Gamble (13.7 points per game) and Dibula (12.9) are the Hawks’ top two scorers, but the burden does not fall on them alone. Creating additional headaches for opponents are Alexis Andrews, who averages 11.4 points per game, and Alexis Davis, who scores at a 10.3 points-per-game clip.

During film sessions, the circles and arrows come out less often now. The tape jumps from Gamble on the perimeter, to Dibula sealing inside, to Andrews cutting, to Davis stepping into space. By the time the screen freezes, the possession is already decided.

The wins have stacked quietly, ten of the last 11. There are fewer rushed shots, fewer panicked possessions. More shoulders brushing on the way to the bench. More understanding without a word. Plenty of postgame water bottle showers in the locker room. At 12-5 overall and 5-1 in CAA play, the Hawks sit a game behind College of Charleston after three weeks, firmly in the conference’s championship conversation.

“I’m just grateful to be here,” Gamble told The IX Basketball. “Each path has brought me here. I took a lot of risks that I didn’t know would benefit me in the end. But I think, even before Kean that year, I didn’t even know if I was going to keep playing basketball. That year, I felt a spark in me that helped me rebuild my confidence. I remember basketball; it comes naturally to me, so that’s what I kept doing. I kept believing in myself even more. And I think each year I’ve made better progress mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.”

Although confidence, extra shooting reps, and film study contributed to Gamble’s growth as a player, she says the biggest factor in her development has been her self-awareness and willingness to take accountability during grueling learning sessions. While scoring has come easily to Gamble, the other facets of the game have taken time to get comfortable with.

“This is a big learning curve for her,” Wetmore explained to The IX Basketball. “She’s learning stuff she never had to learn before. You know, the defensive schemes. It’s a lot more complex than what she had been exposed to. So, to have to get all of that information in a short period of time and then perform on the learning curve, is really challenging, and she’s done it with a lot of grace and that same joy all the time. So, I’m really thrilled to have her here.”

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Wetmore is also happy to have Dibula, the preseason All-CAA second team anchor with four double-doubles and three games with over 20 points. She is shooting 59.3% from the field, which leads the CAA.

Dibula is building on her sterling sophomore season, where she averaged a career-high 8.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game on 57% shooting. The Ontario native scored in double figures in 10 games.

While the Hawks returned key pieces from last season, Wetmore entered the offseason determined to add speed and athleticism through both recruiting and the transfer portal. The result is a roster featuring a blend of experience and newcomers, a mix that has allowed roles to settle quickly and chemistry to grow.

Dibula noticed that immediately when she saw Gamble for the first time. Her presence on the perimeter has made it easier for Dibula to operate in the post.

“It was insane,” Dibula recalled. “It looks like she just throws the ball, but it goes in every time. … I was just watching her shoot after one of my workouts one day, and I think she made like 20 threes back-to-back. I was like, ‘Oh my goodness.’ It gives me a lot of confidence knowing I’m kicking the ball out to an amazing three-point shooter. … It opens a lot of options for me, knowing that I have such a good guard, and along with all my other teammates.”

Gamble, who started playing basketball at age 8, and Dibula each learned the game by playing against their older brothers. Gamble said she routinely won those match-ups, even though there’s no visual proof. Dibula didn’t have the same luck, as one of her brothers is 6’3, 250 pounds and played football.

Wetmore has had success recruiting small guards who can score and possess intangibles that don’t appear on a roster, like grit, heart and passion. But something else also stood out to Wetmore when she recruited Gamble:

“This girl is wild,” Wetmore recalled, smiling at the memory. “She was going nuts out there. I mean, she probably had like 30, and she goes in, like, for a layup, gets an and-one, and falls on the floor and starts barrel rolling. I had never seen anything like it. … When we got to know each other, she had the same spirit as she has as a person. She’s adored by her teammates and the staff alike. It’s important to me that I have kids on my team that I enjoy and bring something different.”

“The thing that I really love about Gigi is that she’s so open to the process and incredibly trusting. In the first couple of games, she wasn’t playing well, and you can see that in the stats. And I just kept telling her, just trust me and trust this process. We both kept saying the breakout game is coming.”

CAA play began with a bang for Gamble. She burned Elon for 30 points and North Carolina A&T for 25 points on the road to earn CAA co-Player of the Week honors on Jan 5. It was proof that the work had yielded results. Gamble, who is from Somerset in south Jersey, says she gets her joy from her family, and it rubs off on her teammates.

In the Hawks’ last two games against Towson and Campbell, Gamble showcased every facet of her dynamic game. Driving. Shooting. Stamina. Determination. That effort and tenacity helped Monmouth end Towson’s six-game winning streak and stop Campbell’s four-game roll.

Gamble scored 22 points while playing all 40 minutes against Towson in a 56-53 victory, all eight of her baskets occurring within five feet of the hoop. She also made a huge defensive play late in the game to preserve the Hawks’ victory. Two days later, Gamble casually dropped 30 points against Campbell by making 6-of-8 from 3-point distance and 12-of-17 shots overall in 29 electric minutes.

The Hawks defense also shined against the Camels by limiting them to 31 points, the second fewest by an opponent in program history.

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A perfect pairing like steak and potatoes, Gamble and Dibula combined to score 69.5% of Monmouth’s points in wins over Towson and Campbell (89 points out of 128). They combined to score Monmouth’s first 32 points against Towson. Gamble brings the spark; Dibula brings the focus. Together, they steady the floor.

As the CAA’s leading scorer in conference games at 21.7 points, Gamble has become soul on ice. Calm. Composed. Unbothered.

“I’ve learned so much with Coach Cait and my team that we’ve been doing this since October, November,” Gamble said. “I don’t know, but it was just about time, and you know what? [Against Elon], my mental state was just like we’re not going to lose, and I’m gonna do whatever I can to make sure that doesn’t happen. Of course, my teammates made sure of that too because we all played great together, and it was a great win.”

Wetmore has enjoyed watching the Hawks develop after a 1-4 start to the season. The pieces are falling into place.

Following the win over Towson, Gamble was met by her former junior college, CCBC Essex, as the arena lights dimmed. Hugs came first, then laughter. Phones lifted for photos that felt less like keepsakes, and more like proof of the work.

Gamble lingered in the moment, soaking in the pride from CCBC Essex before stepping away for her postgame interview, carrying her roots as quietly as she carried the game.

“I am really proud of both of them, and I think they’ve grown a lot,” Wetmore said of Gamble and Dibula. “I’ve only had Gigi for a couple of months, but being with Divine now for almost two years, she’s really transformed and blossomed. It’s a blessing to witness that. Even Gigi has changed a lot in a short period of time. So, it’s just awesome to be on that journey. And I know they feel that way about each other, too, but yeah, this team is a really special group.”

The stats tell part of the story; the joy tells the rest.

Silver’s happy return to UNCW

Kylah Silver smiles first.

They come easy now for UNCW’s 5’10 redshirt sophomore guard. Wide and warm, grounded in gratitude. But they didn’t always. Not when her knee was wrapped tight. Not when walking felt like work and progress was measured in inches, not points. Not when the gym emptied, and she stayed behind, alone with a brace, a ball, and the echo of what used to be.

Late in her freshman season, Silver suffered a torn ACL that cost her the following year. For the first time since she picked up a ball, basketball left her life. Doubt followed quietly at first. She questioned if her body could be trusted again, if she’d ever feel herself on the court. The mental battles lingered longer than the physical, surfacing when no one was watching.

The smile stayed, though. Quiet. Waiting.

That perspective shows up now in moments like the team devotional.

“Coach Cherie [Lea] asked us to say something we were grateful for,” Silver told The IX Basketball, standing in a dimly-lit hallway postgame following a 79-68 loss to Towson on Jan. 11. “And I said I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to be here today, playing with my knee.”

Away from basketball, Silver maintains that same outlook.

Teammates describe her as selfless; the kind of player who notices what others need before they say it. She loves food and always scouts the next place to eat. She is a criminal justice major who unwinds by watching “Law & Order” and forensic documentaries, drawn to the details, the patience, and the idea that every story leaves evidence behind.

Silver refused to believe the injury was the end of her story. Day by day, she worked. She learned patience, leadership, and developed a deeper appreciation for every rep, every step, every chance to play again.

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Now the smile arrives before the jumper, the laugh, or the TikTok dance she launches when her name is announced in the Seahawks’ starting lineup. It reflects pain endured, fear faced, and a vow made to herself in the loneliest moments:

“A lot of people say after ACL surgery you won’t ever be that player again,” Silver said. “That would sometimes go through my head. I wasn’t going to think that. The mental part was harder than the physical because I had to trust my knee again. To cut. To jab. Doing the repetition over and over really helped my confidence.”

The results were evident.

Silver has excelled in her return for the Seahawks, creating a dynamic scoring duo with Rori Cox, who ranks fifth in the CAA with a 13.8 point per game average. Silver, who averages 11.5 points per game, is the team’s second-leading scorer and top rebounder at 5.6 per contest. She has already recorded two double-doubles this season, dominating the glass.

One came in the season opener at East Carolina, a place with extra meaning. Silver finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds in her first game back since tearing her ACL. Her mother, Tomekia, is an East Carolina Hall of Famer.

A few weeks later, after a 22-point, 12-rebound performance against Presbyterian, Silver was named CAA co-Player of the Week on Nov. 24. It was confirmation that the quiet work of the past year mattered.

“The break allowed me to find myself on the court and see what was going on off the court,” Silver said. “It was hard, but I’m so glad to be back. I learned new skills. I worked on my three. I found my voice on the bench and helped my teammates however I could. It’s been great.”

Third-year UNCW head women’s basketball coach Nicole Woods is grateful to have Silver back. Woods also tore her ACL during her own career and understood Silver’s path.

“I think her IQ grew from being out, and I think her hunger grew from being out,” Woods shared. “Kylah has been hurt. Lord knows. … Those first six months to a year, sometimes it’s just always in the back of your mind. Getting her to just be able to play freely is what I’m trying to get her to be.”

Silver has displayed brilliance this season. The Seahawks have competed, even if their record doesn’t reflect it. A grueling road trip to Monmouth and Towson concluded with two losses. Still, her smile persisted. It shows up in small ways now: ankles taped before tipoff, jumpers in quiet pregame warmups, shoulders pressed together in team huddles, and unrushed pregame meals.

After all she’s endured, those moments matter. Presence matters.

And playing the game she loves again, is something she values.

Beans powers College of Charleston excellence

Taryn and Taylor Barbot, the College of Charleston’s usual suspects, have powered an eight-game winning streak with their familiar electricity. But while the junior twin guards continue to set the tone, another force has emerged with unmistakable fury.

The ascent of junior guard Tyja Beans has pushed the Cougars from good to downright scary.

A transfer from Western Carolina, Beans has found her rhythm and is thriving at full speed in Charleston’s up-tempo attack. Her surge has been central to the Cougars’ best start to CAA play in program history. During the winning streak, Beans has scored in double figures every game, averaging a staggering 16.4 points while shooting 58.2 percent from the field.

Her performances have been emphatic. Beans poured in 24 points on 10-of-11 shooting against Hampton. She followed that with a 23-point, eight-steal outburst versus Northeastern. Last weekend, she showcased her versatility again with her first career double-double (17 points, 11 rebounds) in a win over Drexel. Beans has grabbed at least six rebounds in four of Charleston’s last eight games.

For the season, Beans ranks third on Charleston in scoring at 11.4 points per game. In conference play, however, she has elevated even further, sitting fifth in the CAA at 16.3 points per contest.

None of this came out of nowhere; Beans averaged 12.4 points per game last season at Western Carolina. What has changed, however, is the environment. In Charleston’s system, her confidence and decisiveness have flourished. Before this torrid stretch, Beans totaled just 13 points over a four-game span as the Cougars went 1-3, falling to High Point, Colorado and Cleveland State.

Beans is tilting games and with Charleston surging, her timing couldn’t be more perfect.

“I just came out with more confidence,” Beans said to reporters during Charleston’s postgame press conference after a win over Elon. “I stopped thinking and just started playing basketball. I started working on the things that I feel like I was not that great at the beginning of the season. I started getting in the gym more, started working on my shot and just started playing with more confidence.”

That confidence has been contagious. Beans’ surge has elevated Charleston from a team playing well to one thinking bigger.

The Cougars currently have two players who are in the top-10 in the nation in their respective categories. Taylor Barbot is one of only 20 players in the country to record a triple-double and is also tied for eighth nationally in assists per game (7.0). Grace Ezebilo is sixth in the nation in rebounds per game (11.7) and is also in the top-20 in total rebounds (200).

Additionally, Taryn Barbot is in the top-20 in free throw percentage (88.9%) and points per game (19.9). As a team, Charleston is 10th in the country in offensive rebounds per game (16.6) and 17th in total rebounds per game (43.2). 

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Fox and Watkins helping Elon

Elon has been powered by a pair of freshmen playing key minutes this season. Maybe more than expected, as the team lost sophomore guard Jayda Angel, who hasn’t played since the Phoenix’s second game of the season. Ashanti Fox and Tamia Watkins have stepped up to contributed standout performances during the season for the Phoenix.

This past week, Fox was named the CAA Women’s Basketball Rookie of the Week after averaging 13.0 points and 3.5 assists per game as the Phoenix split a pair of games against UNCW and College of Charleston. The freshman guard recorded her sixth double-digit scoring performance of the season in Elon’s win at UNCW on Friday, pouring in a season-high 17 points and knocking down a season-best five three-pointers. She had nine points and four assists against Charleston.

Fox also scored 16 points to lead Elon to a win over North Carolina A&T last Friday. She ranks second on the team in assists (2.6), 14th in the CAA, and is shooting a team-best 36.2% (21-for-58) from the three-point line.

Meanwhile, Watkins, who was named CAA Rookie of the Week on Dec. 1, has also made an impact, averaging 6.2 points and 4.3 rebounds. She has started five games, has scored in double digits three times, and has grabbed at least five rebounds eight times. She scored a season-best 23 points and had 10 rebounds during Elon’s historic 111-50 victory over North Carolina Wesleyan. It was a program record for points scored and matched the programs largest margin of victory.

Turner is Towson tough

Senior forward Semaya Turner was a bright light for Towson during a pair of tough losses to Monmouth and Stony Brook. Turner had her third career double-double (first at Towson) against Monmouth (10 points, 11 rebounds). She followed that up by snatching a season-high 12 rebounds against Stony Brook.

Through Towson’s first seven CAA games, Turner is averaging 7.7 rebounds, which is sixth among CAA players in conference contests. Turner has come a long way to become a key factor for the Tigers. Even though she earned All-Rookie honors at St. Francis, the transition to Towson was challenging. After playing a total of 61 minutes during the 2023-24 season, Turner has worked hard and made it impossible for head coach Laura Harper to keep her off the floor.

Turner has started 37 of the last 48 games she has played for the Tigers, including Towson’s last seven games. Against Monmouth, the 5’11 Turner was a relentless ball of energy, snatching every loose ball and battling inside time and time again to keep offensive possessions alive for her team. Turner also grabbed 11 rebounds against Campbell in Towson’s CAA opener.

Stony Brook soaring

Despite missing leading scorer Janay Brantley for its last four games, Stony Brook has nudged itself near the top of the CAA. Even though its five-game winning streak ended Friday with a 49-41 loss at Drexel, the Seawolves are a confident team fueled by their stifling defense that leads the CAA in scoring defense (55.9) and opponents 3-point field goal percentage (26.8%). Stony Brook’s 5-1 CAA start to conference play matched its best start to a CAA season.

Proving that numbers on a preseason poll are just that, the Seawolves were picked to finish No. 12 under second year head coach Joy McCorvey. During its five-game win streak, Stony Brook beat Drexel and North Carolina A&T, programs that earned first-place votes in the preseason poll.

Part of that prediction stemmed from the fact that Stony Brook welcomed 10 newcomers into its program this season. As January nears conclusion, the Seawolves are in third place, two games behind Charleston and one game behind Monmouth. Stony Brook and Monmouth will meet twice in a 12-day span in early February.

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Stony Brook also showed flashes of brilliance when it beat Rutgers on Nov. 9. It was Stony Brook’s fifth win in program history over a Power Four program. Stony Brook is in a nice defensive groove as it has held three straight programs below 50 points and five straight under 54 points. Scoring against the Seawolves has been a challenge, just the way McCorvey likes it.

While Brantley has been out, several players have risen to the occasion. Chief among them has been Caitlin Frost, who played at Saint Bonaventure last season. Frost has stifled the competition by averaging 9.7 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. The CAA’s fourth-leading rebounder recorded her fifth double-double against Drexel with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Frost also had a career-best 16 rebounds against Hofstra.

Diaka Berete, a Jackson State transfer, has also been impactful for the Seawolves. She is averaging 10.1 points per contest, which is second on the team. She notched her second double-double of the year against Drexel with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Berete has scored in double digits nine times for Stony Brook and has three games with at least 20 points. Sandra Frau Garcia, who played at UIC last season, is second in the CAA in assists per game (4.6).