SETON HALL UNIVERSITY
SEASON PREVIEW
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COACHING STAFF
he second year of Anne Donovan’s tenure begins with Seton Hall still looking for a reversal of fortunes. The Pirates showed flashes of promise in 2010-11 but were unable to make a move upwards in the BIG EAST standings. Despite the loss of only two key players, the Hall has seen an unfortunate string of injuries plague the team through the summer and early fall. Nonetheless, a familiar cast of characters return as the Pirates aim for improvement in the new season. “I think last year was just about getting our system in and getting the vision in for the program,” stated Donovan. “We accomplished that and changed the mindset of the team. We were not as successful in terms of wins and losses as we wanted, but I would never question how hard the girls worked, and what they put into it. They put their heart and soul into it and I believe we are moving in the right direction.”
2011-12 SEASON
A duo of seniors will be leaned on heavily in 2011-12. Jasmine Crew led the Pirates in scoring as a junior at 11.6 points per game in her first season after transferring from Northeastern. A starter in 28 games, she also finished ninth in the conference in free throw percentage. Crew is a physically strong player, giving her the ability to absorb contact on the inside, which compliments her three-point shooting ability. In her final season, she will once again be counted on to score from the shooting guard spot.
PIRATE PROFILES
“Jasmine Crew was just a typical player that had sat out a year in as a transfer and just could not wait to get her shoes back on and go to work,” Donovan said. “She did have a great year for us in terms of her energy and her competitiveness. I think she set the tone in that department every day in practice, and then of course in games. She has come back this year even stronger, fitter, smarter, with a higher basketball IQ, and more determined to lead this team in her senior year into a positive year.”
2010-11 REVIEW
Tajay Ashmeade, a senior center, is back for her second season after joining the Hall from the junior college ranks. Ashmeade had several shining moments in 2010-11, including a 15-point, 21-rebound effort
against LaSalle. With added consistency and the ability to stay out of foul trouble, she will likely improve upon her averages of 3.3 points and 5.1 rebounds. “TJ is a player who is still young in the game,” said the Hall of Fame Coach. “She is so energetic, so passionate about it that it leads to some mistakes, but I think this year you will see a player that has settled in a bit more. She could potentially be the rebounder that we need her to be, and contribute a whole lot more than she did last year.” Donovan was expecting BIG EAST All-Freshman Team member KaDeidre Simmons back running the point after posting 7.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists last year. However, a torn ACL will sideline Simmons for the entire 2011-12 season.
HISTORY & RECORDS
“My heart goes out to DiDi,” said Donovan. “The work she did in the offseason would make her an even better player going into her sophomore season. It is really difficult to watch the game being taken from someone that wants it so bad. At the same time, DiDi will come back stronger. She has got great strength and fortitude, and that will make her a better player in the long run for sure.
2011-12 OPPONENTS
A pair of junior forwards will also be back in the mix for minutes this season. Playing on the wing, Terry Green made six starts and averaged 3.3 points while finishing third on the squad with 22 three-pointers. Alexandra Maseko made nine starts on the inside and was the Hall’s top shot-blocker in 2010-11.
BUILDING A WINNER
“I think Alex Maeseko’s experience with her national team has really helped her this past fall,” Donovan commented. “She has been our most consistent post player in preseason so far. We are expecting good things from her, and she has shown great leadership already. She has really stepped into her junior year understanding that with DiDi down we need another leader on the floor, and she is really stepping up to fill that role nicely.”
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