2024-25 MEAC preview

These powerhouses have faced off in the MEAC Tournament title contest in each of the last three years, with Norfolk State enjoying the view from its championship penthouse in two straight seasons.

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Norfolk State and Howard feature explosive, battle-tested players. Fans are captivated by the strength, skill, style and depth of these dynamic rosters, each equipped to make a serious impact come March. It’s no shock that after meeting nine times over the past three years, Norfolk State and Howard were named MEAC co-favorites in this month’s preseason poll — a rare distinction. They each finished with 117 points. Norfolk State earned the slight edge as it received 11 first-place votes to Howard’s five first place votes. 

Their similarities don’t stop there.

Each program has played an NCAA Tournament game against South Carolina in recent years and boasts multiple players on the All-MEAC Preseason teams.

Norfolk State’s Diamond Johnson, the MEAC Preseason Player of the Year, and Kierra Wheeler, the reigning MEAC Player of the Year, headline the First Team alongside Howard’s Destiny Howell and Tyana Walker. Norfolk State’s Niya Fields and Howard’s Kaiya Creek earned a spot on the All-MEAC Preseason Second Team, and Norfolk State’s Anjanae Richardson earned All-MEAC Preseason Third Team recognition alongside Howard’s Nile Miller. Both programs are stacked with talent and are joined at the hip in terms of excellence. 

Looking back at last season, Johnson was named MEAC Newcomer of the Year, Wheeler is the reigning MEAC Player of the Year and Howell was the 2023 MEAC Player of the Year and last year’s Preseason Player of the Year. Walker is the reigning MEAC Freshman of the Year.

Spartans at the top

Norfolk State veteran head coach Larry Vickers understands that last season’s championship hold no weight now that a new season has begun. While the green-and-gold banners hanging proudly in Echols Memorial Hall serve as lasting reminders of past hard work, they don’t guarantee future success. It’s been a constant message throughout preseason practices.

Most coaches would enjoy the luxury of having nine returning players from a program that’s enjoyed consecutive 20-win campaigns especially when it’s headlined by Johnson and Wheeler, both of whom were named to the Preseason Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year watch list. One of the top scoring tandems in nation, the opponent-wilting duo combined to average 37.8 points per game and score 46.6% of the Spartan points last season. Wheeler was second in the MEAC in rebounds per game (9.7).

Overall, the Spartans return their top seven scorers from last season. Richardson averaged 7.1 points per game. Fields contributed 6.4 points per contest and led the MEAC in assists (4.0). Fields and Richardson combined to make 66 3-pointers, which complemented Johnson, who made 64.

Playing in 30 games, 5’9 junior guard Da’naijah Williams contributed 6.7 points per game and 5’7 sophomore guard Da’Brya Clark enjoyed many key performances as she averaged 6.5 points per contest. Clark and Richardson were named to the All-MEAC Rookie Team following impactful campaigns. The Spartans also benefit from the return of 6’ senior forward Makoye Diawara, who started 12 games and averaged 6.3 points last season.

To recap, Norfolk State brings back the MEAC’s top two scorers, second-leading rebounder and assist leader from a team that pushed Stanford in the NCAA Tournament. Yet, the Spartans don’t plan to rest on that comfortable knowledge. Vickers is appreciative of the talent he has, but he’s also looking for a way to help Norfolk State maintain its winning edge.

“It’s been a little different offseason for us and we’ve had to change a little way of how we do things,” Vickers shared with The Next during a phone interview. “I would love my team to find some edge … We have a lot of talent and a can go nine to 10 deep. I can’t ask for more than that. This is the best shooting group I ever had.”

The Spartans are also excited by the addition of 5’10 Amari Smith and 6’2 junior Ciara Bailey.

One interesting thing with many of the programs in the conference this season is they have gotten bigger and taller players while the Spartans are traditionally a little smaller especially with their guards. The potentially intriguing defensive matchups excite Vickers especially seeing some of the bigger players trying to defend a much more improved Johnson, which is scary to consider.

“With Diamond, we had a pro when she stepped on our campus,” Vickers shared. “There were some specific flaws in which she worked on to get better at and we saw some of that as the season went on. Diamond is different. Some of kids are so good because of their talent and she’s good because she works hard.”

Team-by-team analysis

Following Norfolk State and Howard in the MEAC Preseason poll were Coppin State, North Carolina Central, Morgan State, Maryland Eastern Shore, Delaware State and South Carolina State.

Here’s a look at the rest of the conference programs who are confident that they can evict the Spartans from their championship penthouse.

Howard (15-16 overall, 10-4 MEAC)

Destiny Howell is back.

Making her highly anticipated return after missing last season due to a torn ACL, the 6′ graduate guard brings energy and leadership to the Bison squad. She led the MEAC in scoring 17 points per game during the 2022-23 season. The last time she played, Howell scored 30 points against Norfolk State in the 2023 MEAC Tournament championship contest.

Her return boosts an already strong Howard team, which brings back six key players who played in last year’s MEAC Tournament championship game, a group headlined by Tyana Walker, the 2024 MEAC Rookie of the Year.

Joining Walker from that squad are Kaiya Creek, 6’1 junior forward Nile Miller, 6’2 senior forwards Vanessa Blake and Marissa Steel, and 5’7 senior guard Nyla Cooper.

Walker, a dynamic 5’7 sophomore guard, earned BOXTOROW Second Team All-America honors and became the fifth Bison in program history to win MEAC Rookie of the Year. She averaged 11.3 points per game, ranked fifth in the MEAC, and led Howard with 52 3-pointers. Walker’s breakout season, which included MEAC First Team and All-Rookie Team honors, came as she stepped up in Howell’s absence.

Walker was also second in the MEAC in 3-pointers made per game (1.8), fourth in free throw percentage, and eighth in 3-point field goal percentage (31.9). Now paired with Howell, the two guards form one of the top-scoring backcourt duos in the MEAC. Despite her strong play last season, Walker took Howard’s loss to Norfolk State hard, a setback that has fueled her offseason work.

Walker and Creek combined for 92 3-pointers. Creek, who averaged 7.8 points per game, was fourth in the MEAC in 3-point field goal percentage (33.9) and sixth in 3-pointers made per game (1.3). Creek, named to the All-MEAC Third Team following last season, scored eight points and had six rebounds in the MEAC title game against Norfolk State.

Meanwhile, Miller returns as a critical defensive anchor. She earned All-MEAC Third Team and All-Defensive honors last season, ranking fifth in the MEAC in rebounds (6.7) and blocks (1.0). Her towering and athletic presence was a reason why Howard had one of the best defenses in the MEAC. The Bison led the conference in field goal percentage defense (34.8) and were second in the conference in points allowed (58.0).

Adding 6’2 transfer Zennia Thomas, who played at Kentucky, makes head coach Ty Grace smile more. Grace recruited her from high school, but Thomas initially committed to the Wildcats before transferring. Another critical newcomer who could impact Howard this season is 5’7 freshman guard Saniyah King, a Washington, D.C. native.

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Coppin State (12-18 overall, 8-6 MEAC)

Coppin State returns three starters and two of its top three scorers from last season’s team that advanced to the MEAC semifinals. Leading the charge is 6’2 senior forward Laila Lawrence, who earned a spot on the All-MEAC Preseason First Team.

The reigning 2024 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, who also earned a spot on the All-MEAC First Team, is a force. One of the top players in the conference, Lawrence had a stellar season, finishing with a MEAC-best 15 double-doubles. She averaged 14.1 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, leading the MEAC in rebounding and ranking second in scoring. Nationally, she ranked 10th in offensive rebounds (4.3 per game), 24th in rebounds per game and 31st in double-doubles.

Among her standout performances was a dominant 30-point, 17-rebound effort in the regular season finale against Morgan State. In a win over Delaware State, Lawrence posted 16 points and grabbed an NCAA season-high 25 rebounds, the second-most in CSU single-game history. A week later, she pulled 19 rebounds against MEAC champion Norfolk State.

The Eagles return an experienced backcourt duo in 5’4 junior guard Angel Jones and 5’9 redshirt senior guard Tiffany Hammond. Jones averaged 10.6 points per contest, which was third on the team. Hammond, known for her shooting ability, averaged 6.2 points per game and had notable performances, including a 21-point game against LSU and five 3-pointers in a road win over Pittsburgh.

The sharp-shooting pair combined to make 82 3-pointers, with Hammond finishing with 52. Jones led the MEAC in 3-point field goal percentage (38.5), and Hammond was third in the conference in 3-pointers made per game (1.7). Coppin State was second in the MEAC in 3-point field goals made per game (5.5).

Other veterans for Coppin State include 5’10 sophomore guard Niyah Gaston and 5’6 redshirt senior guard Tyler Gray, both of whom played significant minutes last season.

Coppin State welcomes a quartet of transfers that head coach Jermaine Woods hopes will make a difference. This includes 6’0 sophomore guard Cire Worley (UMass-Lowell), 6’3 senior forward-center Arielle-Vadrelle Belinga (Coastal Carolina), 6’0 redshirt junior forward Dani McTeer (William & Mary) and 6’3 junior forward-center Latanya Berry (Bryant & Stratton). These additions will allow Woods to play Lawrence more at her natural power forward position, potentially unlocking even more scoring opportunities for her.

Berry, who averaged 13.0 points and 10.1 rebounds and recorded 100 blocked shots last season, will provide a strong interior presence. Worley, who appeared in 26 games for UMass-Lowell, averaged 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds in 18.1 minutes per game, adding depth and versatility to the Eagles’ backcourt.

North Carolina Central (16-15 overall, 9-5 MEAC)

Second-year head coach Terrance Baxter is eager to unleash a brand of “controlled chaos” as he leads North Carolina Central into a season filled with high expectations. Coming off their first winning season as a Division I program, the Eagles return many key players from last year’s squad which reached the MEAC semifinals.

Leading NCCU this season will be All-MEAC Preseason selections Morgan Callahan (Second Team) and Kyla Bryant (Third Team), a pair of gifted players who are looking forward to helping the Eagles enjoy another memorable season.

Despite the departure of four seniors, Baxter’s team is focused on being even more athletic and increasing their defensive pressure this season.

At the forefront is 6’1 redshirt senior forward Callahan, who earned All-MEAC Second Team and MEAC All-Defensive Team honors last season and was also named a 2023-24 HBCU Division I Women’s Basketball Second Team All-American by BOXTOROW. She led the Eagles in scoring (13.4 points) and rebounding (9.0), ranking third in the MEAC in both categories. Callahan also finished fourth in field goal percentage (43.7), seventh in steals (1.6) and eighth in blocks per game (0.8).

Baxter is also happy to welcome back sophomore guard Kyla Bryant, a 5’7 sparkplug who earned All-MEAC Third Team honors and a spot on the MEAC All-Rookie Team. She was second on the Eagles and seventh in the MEAC in scoring (11.7 points per game). Bryant led NCCU in steals and was sixth in the conference (1.8). Bryant was also ninth in assists per game (2.3) and 10th in field goal percentage (36.1%).

The highlight of Bryant’s freshman season was her historic triple-double — 21 points, 10 assists and 10 steals — in a dominant win over Mid-Atlantic Christian College, only the third triple-double in NCCU women’s basketball history.

The Eagles also return key contributors 6’2 sophomore forward Jada Tiggett, 6’1 redshirt senior forward Aniya Finger, and 5’6 junior guard Janiah Jones. Tiggett led the MEAC in blocked shots last season, recording at least four blocks in nine games, including a season-high seven blocks against Delaware State. Despite battling injuries, Finger still averaged 8.8 points per game.

Jones was a sixth-woman supreme last season, scoring in double figures nine times and averaging 6.2 points per game. This season, the Eagles are adding six true freshmen and a redshirt freshman to their roster, bringing additional depth and energy to the team.

Defensively, the tenacious Eagles led the MEAC in 3-point field goal percentage defense (26.9%), blocked shots (4.2 per game) and assists (13.0 per game). They also ranked second in scoring (65.7 points per game) and field goal percentage (38.5%) and third in field goal percentage defense (37.2%) and steals (9.2 per game).

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Morgan State (8-21 overall, 3-10 MEAC)

The Bears could be a sleeping giant under veteran head coach Ed Davis. They dropped six games by five points or less last season, proving they were much stronger than their final record indicated. Morgan State returns several veteran players, including its talented backcourt duo of 5’8 junior guard Gabrielle Johnson and 5’4 sophomore guard Tamaria Rumph, who was named to the MEAC All-Rookie Team last season. Johnson earned All-MEAC Rookie Team recognition in 2023.

Rumph, who was 11th in the MEAC in assists and 14th in steals, averaged 6.7 points per game, which was third on the Bears. She also averaged 2.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 steals per contest. She led the team in assists with 55 and was third in steals with 37. One of her top-scoring games was against No. 1 ranked South Carolina, where she finished with a team-high 11 points. She reached double digits in scoring 11 times.

Johnson averaged 6.2 points and 2.1 rebounds per game, with her 38 steals ranking second on the Bears, making her one of four players to notch at least 30 steals for the season. Additional key returners include 5’9 senior guards Emily Jones and Nakilah Johnson. Jones played in all 30 games, averaging 20.9 minutes per game, with 2.7 points and 2.4 rebounds. She was one of four Bears to make double-digit 3-pointers last season.

Davis is also excited about the return of 6’2 senior forward Laila Fair and 6’2 junior center Jael Butler, who provide a solid presence in the paint. After missing time early in the season, Fair averaged 8.5 points per game, second on the team, and led the Bears with 7.1 rebounds per contest. She scored double figures in six of the 11 MEAC games she played and earned All-MEAC Preseason Third Team honors. Fair also blocked 22 shots, including four in a game against Oregon State.

Butler was another spark for the Bears. She contributed 5.0 points and 3.4 rebounds in 15.8 minutes over 25 games, adding depth to the Bears’ frontcourt.

Impactful transfers for Morgan State include 5’7 junior guard Jala Bannerman (Maryland-Eastern Shore), 6’1 redshirt sophomore forward Naya Ojukwu (Utah and Gonzaga) and 5-10 junior guard Zaiha Minnis (Hartford and Hampton).

Bannerman returns home after playing high school basketball at St. Frances Academy. Her experience in MEAC competition will be invaluable, as she averaged 8.3 points per game for UMES last season. Ojukwu, who appeared in nine games for Gonzaga last season, and Minnis round out the Bears’ promising roster.

Maryland-Eastern Shore (14-15 overall, 7-6 MEAC)

First-year head coach Malikah Willis takes the reins of a UMES program with a solid foundation of eight returning players, led by All-MEAC Preseason selections Mahogany Lester (Second Team) and Zamara Haynes (Third Team).

Lester, a 6’ graduate forward/center, averaged 7.4 points and 5.8 rebounds last season, earning All-MEAC Second Team honors. She delivered 10 double-figure scoring performances, including a standout 20-point game on 9-for-12 shooting against North Carolina Central. Lester also came close to a double-double with a season-high 17 rebounds and eight points in a win over Mount St. Mary’s. The daughter of former Maryland star and 1995 Naismith College Player of the Year Joe Smith, Lester started all 30 games for the Hawks last season.

Alongside Lester, 6’2 forward Lainey Allen helped the Hawks dominate the boards. Both players tied for seventh in the MEAC in rebounding, each averaging 5.8 rebounds per game. Their efforts contributed to the Hawks leading the conference in rebounding margin (+3.7). Allen also chipped in 5.1 points per game over 20 games.

Haynes, a 5’7 graduate guard, is UMES’s top returning scorer, averaging 8.6 points per game last season. With 779 career points entering this season, Haynes reached the 20-point mark twice last year and was a reliable scoring option.

Also returning for the Hawks are 5’9 junior guard Ashanti Lynch, 5’8 graduate guard Chaniqwa Gilliam, 6’ senior forward-center Lesley Thomas, 5’9 senior guard Amiaya Morgan and 6’ sophomore forward Amira Ofunniyin. Lynch and Gilliam played in every game last season, adding valuable experience to the roster. Lynch averaged 4.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, while Gilliam contributed 21 3-pointers and 3.6 points per game.

The Hawks are in capable hands under Willis, who brings a wealth of experience from her professional playing career in Poland, Finland and Brazil and her time helping Iowa win back-to-back Big Ten titles in 1995 and 1996. Willis’s coaching journey includes stints at Kennesaw State, Mississippi State, Texas Tech, College of Charleston, Georgia Tech, West Virginia, Norfolk State, Elizabeth City State, Cheyney, Chicago State and Illinois State. 

Delaware State (8-20 overall, 4-10 MEAC)

Now entering her first full season as Delaware State’s head coach after having the interim tag removed, Jazmone Turner is guiding a revamped roster with several new additions and three returning players who accounted for just 16% of the team’s points last season. Despite finishing fifth in the MEAC in scoring offense last year, with an average of 58.4 points per game, Turner is optimistic about the team’s potential this season.

Luckily, the Hornets’ core group includes 6′ sophomore forward McKenzie Stewart, 5’7 sophomore point guard Kiarra Mcelrath, and 5’6 junior guard Cydney Curtis. Stewart emerged as a dominant presence on the boards last season, ranking fourth in the MEAC in rebounding (7.5), steals (1.8) and blocks (0.6) per game. She delivered several double-digit rebounding performances, including standout efforts with 19 boards against Stony Brook and 18 against North Carolina Central.

Mcelrath returns as Delaware State’s leading scorer, averaging 6.7 points and 1.2 rebounds across 28 games. Known for her sharpshooting, she scored in double figures 10 times last season and connected on at least two 3-pointers in 10 games. With 35 made 3-pointers, Mcelerath ranked 10th in the MEAC for both 3-point percentage (29.5) and 3-pointers made per game (1.1).

The Hornets are also excited about key transfers, including Najáh Lane and Mahogany Cottingham, who represented the team during media day earlier this month.

Lane, a 5’5 junior guard from Division II Johnson C. Smith, averaged 9.4 points and 4.2 assists per game last season, with a career-high 25-point performance against Elizabeth City State. She reached double figures in scoring 11 times last season. Lane brings a reliable scoring touch to Dover with 465 total points over two seasons. 

Cottingham, a 5’9 sophomore guard from North Dakota, averaged 1.2 points over 19 games. Despite limited minutes, she’s expected to play a more prominent role for the Hornets this season. Cottingham was a standout in high school, where she was named the 2023 Chagrin Valley Conference Metro Division Player of the Year after averaging 20.2 points per game.

Other experienced newcomers include 5’9 senior guard Tamera Maple, who averaged 12.8 points last season at Bluefield (Va.) College (NAIA) last season and 5’11 junior guard Kyra Lawrence, who averaged 10.9 points at Schoolcraft College (Michigan) and scored in double figures 15 times. Lawrence was also born on Christmas Day.

South Carolina State (2-28 overall, 1-13 MEAC)

South Carolina State head coach Tim Eatman is optimistic about his program’s progress and expects continued improvement from the Bulldogs. The team seeks to build on the positive momentum generated during their summer bonding trip to Canada.

Senior point guard Mekayla Lumpkin leads the Bulldogs, a 5’4 dynamo who played in 15 games last season after recovering from an early-season knee injury. Known for her tenacious defense and infectious energy on offense, Lumpkin tallied 33 assists, the second most on the team. Also returning for South Carolina State is 5’10 sophomore forward Taniya McGowan, the Bulldogs’ returning leading scorer at 8.0 points per game. One of three players to average at least eight points last season, McGowan finished the year strong, posting double figures in her last three games, including standout performances with 21 points against Delaware State and 20 against North Carolina Central.

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During the Bulldogs’ trip to Canada, McGowan, sophomore guard Jada Morgan and junior guard Angie Juste-Jean, a transfer from Coastal Carolina, were standout performers. Juste-Jean brings valuable experience, having averaged 7.7 points in 48 career games. Morgan, who appeared in 27 games last season and averaged 4.9 points, along with Juste-Jean, scored in double figures in three of the four games in Canada.

The Bulldogs are also excited about the return of 5’8 redshirt junior guard Janiah Hinton, who averaged 7.9 points and made 13 starts last season before a season-ending injury. One of her best outings was a 25-point, six-rebound effort on 10-for-16 shooting against Queens University of Charlotte. Additionally, South Carolina State will benefit from the experience of 5’8 sophomore guard Monajah Ford, who played in all 30 games last season, 6’3 sophomore forward Heaven Harper, who appeared in 26 games, and 5’9 senior guard Rakyha Reid, who contributed 3.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.