MEAC notebook: Anjanae Richardson is Norfolk State’s speed racer during historic season

This season, Norfolk State didn’t just win games in the MEAC — it ran through the competition like a buzzsaw with relentless precision, winning its conference games by an average of 28.4 points and capped a season to remember with marquee non-conference road victories over Missouri and Auburn. Thirteen of its 14 MEAC victories were by double digits.

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One of the many members of the Spartan ensemble of excellence was 5’8 sophomore guard Anjanae Richardson, who is a blur on the basketball court, a force of speed that leaves defenders grasping at air. Her explosive first step mirrors the rapid-fire cadence of her words: animated, confident, and relentless, just like her game. She’s known for her lightning-quick crossovers, her ability to drive to the basket with finesse and her knack for hitting clutch shots when the team needs them most.

Competing with a swagger that belies her 19 years and savage determination, Richardson weaves through sweat-soaked defenders as her short, twisted locks sprout into spiky puffs, bouncing with every step — a visual rhythm of energy, resilience, and boldness.

Richardson is an integral part of the Norfolk State machine on both ends of the floor. She’s a tenacious defender and an instant offense contributor. She knows she will be a key component as Norfolk State begins its run at a third consecutive MEAC tournament championship at the Scope Arena this week.

When you can leave your teammates in awe — especially when that teammate is Diamond Johnson, one of the most electrifying players in college basketball — you know you’re something special. This is a testament not just to individual talent but also to the vibrant, uplifting culture of Norfolk State’s program, where players celebrate each other’s successes and genuinely enjoy watching their teammates shine.

Following her spectacular 25-point performance in a gritty 68-56 victory over Howard at Burr Gymnasium last week, Johnson leaned against a blue-and-white cement wall, still catching her breath. Her game uniform had six tiny bloodstains on the right side of her shorts, battle scars from the relentless competition. As she reflected on her teammate’s potential, she could only shake her head in amazement, a knowing smile creasing her face.

Johnson’s admiration for Richardson isn’t just from highlight plays. She sees it up close on long bus rides, during team meals in hotel conference rooms and in the relentless grind of practice where she diligently works on her craft. Richardson makes things difficult for Johnson in the best way possible, pushing her to be sharper, quicker, better. That daily challenge, hunger, and sparkle make it easy to see why Johnson is so impressed with the rising star.

“She does things that I can’t even do,” Johnson said of Richardson. “She gets through the cracks to the defense somehow and is a great finisher at the rim. She’s a three-level scorer. I think her IQ has improved as a point guard … What stood out to me about her was that she took pride in her defense this year, which has helped all of us. She’s lengthy, she’s bouncy, and an all-around player.”

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The summer work has yielded huge rewards for Richardson, part of the Spartan future backcourt of terror with 5’7 sophomore Da’Brya Clark, who fueled Norfolk State’s significant win over Auburn in December.

Both players have made big shots and terrific plays and have been critical to Norfolk State’s show.

“Before the season started, coach (Larry Vickers) wanted me to score the ball more and not be so fast. He also wanted me to be that third scorer, which was something I knew I could do. I just remembered that every game I played this year, my role was to get buckets every time I went out there.”

After averaging 7.1 points per game last season as a freshman, Richardson has shown remarkable growth, increasing her scoring by three points this season. She’s been consistent and is Norfolk State’s third-leading scorer at 10.1 points per contest. As the season has concluded, Richardson has shifted into a higher gear, scoring double figures in nine of Norfolk State’s last 11 games, including seven in a row.

She ignited the Spartan express during a 74-52 victory over Coppin State on Feb. 22. She scored nine of her 13 points in the first quarter to get Norfolk State off to a quick start. Richardson scored 19 points in a win over South Carolina State. Richardson had the luxury of learning from and competing against Johnson and senior guard Niya Fields.

That’s like an aspiring actor learning from Oscar-award winner Denzel Washington. What you have to appreciate about Richardson is how she views the game and attacks her role with vigor.

“I was in the lab and worked on my all-around game over the summer,” Richardson said. “I was working on my pull-ups, my three balls, everything. So even from last year, I learned from the veterans how they facilitate the floor and score the ball.”

Long before becoming a member of the first Norfolk State women’s basketball team to finish an undefeated run through the MEAC in program history, Richardson learned the game from her older sister, Alexis, who was her inspiration. Her journey to the basketball court started with a ball and a moment meant to pass the time. Instead, it became the start of everything for the 2024 MEAC All-Rookie Team selection.

“When I was young, my mom was in the military, so my sister had to watch after me,” said Richardson while holding her phone during a postgame interview at Howard. “She used to take me to the basketball court with her and just give me a ball to get out of her way because she played ball too. She kept motivating me to keep going and never give up. Of course, she was hard on me and stuff, like she was going tell me what it is and what it’s not.”

Richardson was a major reason the 2024-25 Spartans dominated opponents with team chemistry and quiet confidence. They carried an inner swagger — not boastful but undeniable. Throughout their third straight season with at least 25 victories, the Spartans trusted one another like a military special operations unit. Forget flipping through ESPN+ archives. Years from now, fans reminiscing about this golden era of Spartans basketball might just find replays of their games airing on the History Channel.

They’ll see Richardson everywhere. She has shined in her role, bringing instant energy whether by starting or coming off the bench. She’s getting used to playing more off the ball, another adjustment.

With Fields, Johnson, Clark, and Richardson, Norfolk State’s backcourt is a four-headed monster, a perfect complement to the inside dominance of 6’1 senior forward Kierra Wheeler. Each guard brings something different, creating an attack that keeps opponents off balance.

Fields picks her spots to score and does numerous things that don’t appear on the box score. Johnson is a shooter who can drive to the basket and finish through contact and over taller defenders. She can also take over a game like she did against Howard, scoring 13 points over the final 5 minutes and 30 seconds.

Clark, who is fourth in the conference in steals per game (1.9), is a defensive menace and a solid shooter from deep. Meanwhile, Richardson is a slashing guard who can shoot, finish in traffic, shift the defense, and deliver beautiful passes. All four guards are among the top 13 in the MEAC in assists per game.

“She’s pass first and has a point guard mentality because she played the one her whole life,” Vickers said. “We have Niya Fields, so she doesn’t have to take on that burden. AJ has brought us some balance. She puts pressure on the defense. She’s aggressive, and her shooting ability stretches the floor.”

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High five for Maryland-Eastern Shore

The Hawks ended the season by winning five consecutive games. This is Maryland-Eastern Shore’s first five-game winning streak since the 2019-20 season. The Hawks will enter the MEAC Tournament as the No. 3 seed and open against a Morgan State team on Thursday that they beat twice this season.

During their five-game winning streak, UMES hasn’t allowed a team to reach 60 points and have limited opponents to 47.2 points per game.

In a coach-fed, player-led program, the magic of an ah-ha moment can strike anywhere, unfolding in the most unexpected ways. But when it happens, it’s electric — a spark that shifts everything. For first-year head coach Malikah Willis, it was a moment that ignited not just the scoreboard but something deeper — a sense of belief, growth, and understanding.

Amid the intensity of a hard-fought conference battle against Coppin State, she couldn’t help but smile. And what made it even sweeter? That defining moment came on the defensive end, where grit and heart meet. That’s where teams transform. That’s where champions are made.

“We were pressing them because that’s just what we do,” Willis told reporters during the MEAC’s bi-weekly conference call last week. “We press, and we’re going back into a man, and I look up, and we’re in a zone defense. It’s after the free throw … We end up getting a steal and then getting fouled. I just looked at all five out there and smiled because they did it on their own … Y’all could make your own decisions. We are going to give you the tools. And at this point, it’s March, and they’ve finally decided to click and do something different on their own. So that kind of stuff is what I’m most proud of.”

The Hawks have been getting key contributions from numerous players during their winning streak as they were led in scoring by different players in each game: 5’11 graduate guard Brianna Barnes (17 points against South Carolina State), 5’9 junior guard Ashanti Lynch (17 points against North Carolina Central), 6’0 junior forward Ce’Nara Skanes (13 points, career-high 11 rebounds against Morgan State and 18 points against Delaware State) and 5’7 graduate guard Zamara Haynes (16 points against Coppin State).

In the win over Morgan State, Barnes and Haynes scored 13 points each. While she hasn’t scored like she used to, 6’0 graduate center Mahagony Lester has been a defensive standout. She’s grabbed at least five rebounds in four of the Hawks’ last five games.  

UMES has won in various ways. The Hawks cruised to a win over South Carolina State, holding the Bulldogs to 29 points. They started fast against North Carolina Central and held off a late rally, a sign of maturity. UMES handled Morgan State for the second time this season.

The most impressive victory was the come-from-behind triumph against Coppin State, its first win at the Physical Education Center since 2010. UMES overcame a 10-point first-half deficit and a nine-point third-quarter hole by holding Coppin State to seven points in the fourth quarter.

“When I look back at that game, and we talked about it in film, was the communication,” Willis said. “You know, it’s hard to teach a winning mentality. A lot of times early on in the year, we fell back to excuses, even coming into timeouts and coming into the locker room. … They’re talking about defensive rotations and shot selection now. So, that kind of communication was not there. Early on, they were quiet. They were waiting for the coaches to say something, for the coaches to lead them, and things like that. Now, we have the leadership showing up. So now, they’re all comfortable, and I’m proud of that part.”

She’s also pleased with her core players shining despite not playing their natural positions. Lynch is stretching the floor as a two-guard. Lester plays as a small forward and showcases her versatility by defending point guards and holding her own. Haynes has a scorer mentality but has learned to lead the Hawks as the point guard. So it hasn’t been easy, but the Hawks have brought in, and now their hard work is being rewarded in the win column.

“I asked them do you trust me,” Willis said. “They all said, yeah. They were scared individually. I told them around three weeks ago that this was what would happen. Ce’nara Skanes is stepping up to the challenge, stepping up to the challenge. I don’t take it easy on her. This is her last year, and we talked about what it meant for her to come to this program and what she wanted to do in her last year, and she’s been just executing that every game.”

Here’s a look at some other players who hold the keys to success for their teams.

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Tyana Walker – Howard

It has been a challenging campaign for Howard 5’9 sophomore guard Tyana Walker, who earned MEAC Freshman of the Year honors last season after averaging 11.3 points per game. Many expected her to take a big step forward this year. Instead, it has been a year marked by inconsistency and occasional frustration. However, the affable Walker is beginning to show signs of returning to the scoring force she was last season.

Walker has scored at least six or more points in six of Howard’s last nine games heading into the tournament. She’s had her moments this season like scoring a season-high 15 points against Hofstra and 12 points against North Carolina Central. With 6’0 senior guard Destiny Howell out last year, Walker’s role was bigger and she averaged 23.5 minutes per game. This season, she’s averaged 16.9 minutes even though she’s started nine of Howard’s last 10 games.

“My year has been a little bit of adversity because I’m not used to playing the role that I’m playing right now,” Walker shared to The Next after Howard beat Coppin State on March 3. “For me, as a player and for my coaches and my team, I know that I have to pick it up a little bit more because they need me out there making plays and making adjustments. I am just sticking to it every day, staying in gym, even though my shots are not falling, keeping at it, working hard and doing what I need to do for my team.”

The Howard coaching staff has continued to encourage Walker through the tough times. That’s made all the difference for her as her attitude has been great. She still believes in herself and she has experience competing on the MEAC Tournament stage. In the win over Coppin State, Walker complemented her seven-point effort with seven rebounds and a pair of assists – both in the fourth quarter.

“I knew she was frustrated only early on because we know what she’s capable of,” Howard head coach Ty Grace said to The Next of Walker while standing outside of the locker room at Coppin State. “She comes to practice every day. She’s working hard. She doesn’t quit. She doesn’t hold her head down. She gets disappointed in herself because she wants to win, but she hasn’t given up on herself, and we haven’t either. I’m glad to see that she’s still trying to push forward, despite her not shooting the way she’d like to shoot.”

Tiffany Hammond – Coppin State

The 5’9 redshirt senior guard could be the key for Coppin State, which features two of the top four scorers in the MEAC in senior Laila Lawerence and junior Angel Jones. Hammond has proven she has the ability to light up defenses. She’s second in the MEAC in 3-pointers made per game (2.1) and has made the second most 3-pointers in the conference with 63. She has made 115 3-pointers in her two years as an Eagle.

She tied the school record with seven 3-pointers made in a game last season against nationally-ranked LSU. Hammond delivered big moments in victories over Pittsburgh and Arizona State.

This season, she’s averaging 7.8 points per game. She scored a season-high 15 points in Coppin State’s win over Delaware State on March 1. The third time this season, Hammond scored 15 points. When Hammond has scored double figures, Coppin State won eight of 10 games, which is significant especially since the Eagles finished with 17 wins. In overtime wins over Arizona State and Kent State, Hammond finished with 12 points each.

Morgan Callahan – North Carolina Central

The 6’1 graduate forward has been a rock of excellence for North Carolina Central. A double-double queen, Callahan’s steady performances has enabled her to enjoy a terrific career for the Eagles, who advanced to the MEAC semifinals last season. If the Eagles are to enjoy a similar run through the tournament, Callahan will be counted on to produce in heaping amounts.

Callahan surpassed the 1,000-career point mark in a win over Delaware State on Feb. 24 on her final basket of the game three minutes into the fourth quarter. She also grabbed her 600th career rebound against Norfolk State on Feb. 3. Callahan has seven double-doubles this season after her 22-point and career-high 18 rebound performance against South Carolina State on March 6. She leads the Eagles in rebounding (8.4 per game), is second in scoring (12.7) and blocked shots (1.6 per game).

Everything hasn’t been easy for Callahan, who battled injuries during the first two years of her career at North Carolina Central. She played in 15 games over her first two years with the program before finding her groove. She enjoyed a breakout season last year by earning All-MEAC Third Team honors after leading North Carolina Central in scoring and rebounding, which was third in the MEAC in both categories.

“When I kind of took over, me and Morgan had already had a great relationship,” North Carolina Central head coach Terrance Baxter said. “She’s a hard worker. She’s a no nonsense type of young lady, but she comes in and gets it done. She’s been a very important part of the program for the last few years … She probably going to end up with a picture on the wall here when it’s all said and done.”

Over her last 11 games, Callahan has grabbed at least six rebounds. She ended the regular season with four straight double-digit rebounding performances. Callahan, who has earned three MEAC Defensive Player of the Week awards over the last two years, has a decision to make once she takes her uniform off for the final time this season. She can return for another year. However, that can wait because Callahan still plans to make some noise this week in Norfolk.

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Nia Green and Michaela Bogans – Morgan State

Morgan State’s freshmen duo of 6’0 guard Nia Green and 5’6 guard Michaela Bogans have enjoyed nice moments this season for the Bears. They will also get their first taste of the MEAC Tournament along with 6’1 redshirt freshman forward Naya Ojukwu this week. While Ojukwu’s impact has been significant with a team-leading seven double-doubles, the Bears have a solid foundation with Green and Bogans getting better. They have combined to average 10.3 points per game for the Bears.

Green, who has made 11 starts, set a new season best with 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting, while pulling down nine rebounds at North Carolina Central on Feb. 17. Green’s totals surpassed her previous season bests of 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting and five rebounds, along with a season-high five steals in the Lady Bears’ win over Presbyterian in the Puerto Rico Clasico opener on Dec. 18 and it was her first career double-digit outing. She also had nine points and nine rebounds against Delaware State on Feb. 3.

Bogans has been an energetic spark for the Bears. She has scored in double figures four times this season. She also has a trio of games in which she finished with nine points. Her 10 points in 22 minutes helped spark a victory over Towson on Nov. 14. She delivered 20 points and handed out five assists in 25 minutes during a thrilling 93-88 win over North Carolina Central on Jan. 7.

Mahogany Cottingham – Delaware State

The 5’9 sophomore guard is one of the building blocks along with 5’7 sophomore guard Kiarra Mcelrath and 6’0 freshman forward Erika Huggins for the Hornets. Cottingham’s 12.1 points per game average, ninth in the conference, may have been overlooked due to the Hornets’ five-win season.

Cottingham was second on the Hornets this season with 41 3-pointers. She scored in double figures 18 times this season. Cottingham enjoyed an afternoon to remember when she scored a career-high 32 points while making eight 3-pointers in an 80-44 victory over Cheyney. The Hornets made a season-high 14 3-pointers in that win over Cheyney.

She had a solid stretch of seven straight games from Jan. 4 through Feb. 3 in which she scored double digits. Included in that were 21 point and 20-point efforts in consecutive games against South Carolina State and North Carolina State.

Mcelrath is sixth in the conference in scoring (13.4 points per game) and Huggins has six double-doubles.

Mekayla Lumpkin – South Carolina State

Some victories can’t be measured by the scoreboard. For South Carolina State 5’4 senior guard Mekayla Lumpkin, the real triumph isn’t in the numbers—it’s in the journey. Yes, as long as score is kept, the final result matters.

However, Lumpkin’s story is one of quiet resilience, of winning in ways that don’t dance across the stat sheet. She’s won by finishing. By staying the course when she could have walked away. By remaining positive despite winning 11 games over four years and when the weight of uncertainty pressed against her shoulders. By staying loyal to a program in transition, when others might have chosen the easier road.

Lumpkin is special. At her size, she embodies the bulldog spirit: tenacious and tough, never backing down from a challenge and being a leader through her actions.

“Mekayla has handled everything that we’ve asked her to do,” Eatman said. “She’s one of the cultural builders for our program, and I told her that she’ll be just like Job in 42:10, when Job start praying for his friends, the Lord multiplied him double. For all the things that she’s done for our program, she’s going to reap the benefits for that. She may have not reaped the benefits here as far as wins and losses, but she will reap the benefits of those things in her career and in time, so as long as she continues to be the person that she is.”

Her minutes on the court are not just a reflection of her talent but of her endurance—of the sweat, the setbacks, and the silent moments of self-doubt she pushed through. Every drill, every possession, every extra rep when no one was watching was a victory in itself. The Birmingham, Alabama native scored a season-high nine points in a game at New Mexico on Nov. 20 and handed out a season best seven assists against Morgan State on Feb. 15.

Whenever South Carolina State’s season ends, Lumpkin’s impact will remain forever.

“I’ve never had a time where I had to ask her, you got to go harder, you got to do this,” Eatman said. “She always brought it every day. I’m so thankful for her. I told her in the huddle that I will always tell your story because of what you mean to this program. The records may have not got a chance to do that, but I will always share because I know what loyalty is all about, and I know what the true essence of a true teammate looks like. And that’s Mekayla Lumpkin.”

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Here at The Next, in addition to the 24/7/365 written content our staff provides, we also host the daily Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast. Join us Monday through Saturday each week as we discuss all things WNBA, collegiate basketball, basketball history and much more. Listen wherever you find podcasts or watch on YouTube.

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