CAA notebook: Chloe Sterling has Hofstra hitting all the high notes

She’s the disc jockey controlling the speed and flow of the action. Instead of playing the latest tunes, Hofstra’s electric 5’7 junior guard twists the game her way, a calculating pace setting the rhythm of excellence while creating sweet hoops music.

It’s been the soundtrack of success for the Hofstra women’s basketball program and its fans, as her sterling performances have them swag surfing in the seats, dancing in the aisles, and jumping for joy.

Hofstra is 7-6 overall and, more importantly, 2-0 in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) for the first time since the 2014-15 season after beating Delaware for the first time since Jan. 3, 2016, this past Sunday, 63-57. The Pride ended a 17-game losing streak against Delaware.

When Hofstra needed patience late against Delaware, Sterling slowed the chaos, methodically broke down the defense, made all the correct decisions, and found open teammates as the Pride got into its winning groove.

However, when the moment calls for urgency as it did at the start of the second half with Hofstra trailing by eight points, she cranks up the speed like a Corvette, leaving defenders scrambling to keep up with her high-energy drives, quick transitions, and lethal pull-up jumpers from inside the paint.

Sterling scored four quick points during a fascinating seven-second sequence in which she hit a short jumper, stole the ensuing inbound pass and made a layup to slice Hofstra’s deficit to 36-32, kickstarting a 41-point second half uprising.

Sterling’s mastery of the game’s tempo has transformed Hofstra into a formidable force. She’s everywhere at once, pushing the pace, forcing turnovers, and creating fast breaks that leave the crowd roaring.

The surging Pride has won four consecutive contests as it heads into a monumental home weekend. The College of Charleston and Drexel visit the Mack Sports Complex on Long Island on Friday and Sunday, respectively. Charleston has the best overall record of any CAA program at 11-2. Drexel is a yardstick of excellence, having won the CAA Tournament last season.

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Growing up, Sterling played and learned the game all over the world, which gave her a significant advantage and has made her one of the top mid-major guards in the country. She spent time living on an American army base in Japan, which broadened her perspective of the game. It’s one of her secret ingredients.

“Being able to play against the Japanese talent, they don’t stop moving,” Sterling recalled to The Next during a Zoom call before the Delaware victory. “They continuously move with and without the basketball. Being in that environment helped me with the pace when I got back to the States because that was something I had to get a little accustomed to. Going against them, they never stopped. They’re always running, and that helped me with my transition.”

Sterling also learned the game from her father, who was her teacher. She played numerous sports while growing up before settling on basketball. Once she mastered the fundamentals, she began imitating her older brother’s dribbling moves and consistently going to the gym with him. She was hooked. Life has never been the same for Sterling.

A James Madison transfer, Sterling has been the perfect conductor for the Pride. She is fourth in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) in scoring (15.5), assists (4.1), and minutes (35.3). Sterling also averages 6.0 rebounds per game, third on the Pride.

“I love her game,” Hofstra 5’9 junior guard Emma Von Essen said of Sterling. “If I could create someone to come in and be our point guard, I would have created her. She can create for other people. She’s also a threat, so you can’t just play off of her. She can score whenever she wants. She has a great shot. She’s a great teammate, always talking and encouraging other people. I think that’s the best part. It is her personality. She’s just cool. You want to be around her.”

Sterling’s role is much different at Hofstra than at James Madison. Last season, as JMU won the Sun Belt regular-season championship, Sterling averaged 4.3 points and 2.5 assists in 21.2 minutes per game. She arrived at Hofstra with 183 career points in 61 games. Through 13 games at Hofstra, Sterling has scored 201 points after dropping a team-high 18 points against Delaware.

According to Her Hoop Stats, Sterling’s usage rate this season is 29.3%, up from 14.0% last season. She’s averaging slightly more points per possession this year (0.72) than last year (0.64). Sterling’s assist rate is 28.%, up from 20.0%. She has scored in double figures in 12 of Hofstra’s 13 contests.

Her experience and leadership has kept sixth-year head coach Danielle Santos-Atkinson smiling.

“She’s a phenomenal player, and I say it all the time, it’s not the player she is, it’s the person she is, and I think that’s what makes her so special as a basketball player,” Santos-Atkinson said to The Next following a road victory at Delaware on Sunday. “As a teammate and as a member of our program, she’s got such a worldly perspective on how she views life and basketball. She’s so competitive, and she wants to be great.

“When you have that in a player that works on their skills the way she does, that’s just a combination for success. I love having her as a part of our team. I’m so grateful that she’s here, but the way she competes and her desire to be great changes her and makes a difference.”

While Sterling has orchestrated the Pride’s attack, it’s been far from a one-woman show. Hofstra has nine new players from a program that enjoyed a surprising run through the CAA Tournament last season. It won two games as a No. 13 seed and led North Carolina A&T at intermission in the quarterfinals. It was the fifth straight season Hofstra played in the quarterfinals, and the third straight season, the Pride advanced that far after having to play an opening-round contest.

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She leads the CAA in point field goals per game and 3-point field goal percentage (32.1%). She is sixth all-time in Hofstra history in 3-pointers with 169. Von Essen has scored in double figures nine times and made at least two-pointers in a game 10 times this season. She made a season-best five at Jacksonville on Nov. 29.

Ranked 34th nationally in 3-pointers made game, Von Essen’s sharp shooting has helped create the necessary driving lanes for Sterling and space in the post for freshman LaNae’ Corbett, who was the CAA Player of the Week on Dec. 30 and CAA Freshman of the Week on Jan. 6.

“I’m very happy with our start,” Von Essen said. “I think everyone is playing to the best of their ability, and we’re playing super hard. Our posts are working hard, getting rebounds, and finishing hard. We’re all just playing very aggressive.”

Hofstra has made its mark on the glass this season. In its 75-67 victory over Monmouth last Friday to begin conference play, the Pride had 23 offensive rebounds, the most by Hofstra in a game since recording 23 against Hartford on November 6, 2019. The Pride are 33rd nationally in offensive rebounds per game (14.8) and 47th in rebounds per game (41.5).

The Pride have finished with at least 40 rebounds in every game during their four-game winning streak. Leading the Pride on the boards have been Zyheima Swint and Corbett. The pair have combined for 14.3 rebounds per game. In the victory over the Blue Hens, Ramatoulaye Keita finished with 10 rebounds.

Burning with a rage to win, Sterling’s tenacity has also helped her grow as a basketball player.

“My confidence has grown,” Sterling shared. “My teammates and my coaches have a lot of confidence in me. The development that I’ve been able to gain from the world has helped as well. … Just my progression in my play as a point guard and all different aspects like passing, dribbling, and scoring, and then just the confidence that the people around me have in me has enabled me to do the things that I do.”

With Sterling directing the show, the Pride is poised to enjoy plenty of success during the season. Regardless of the results against Charleston and Drexel, Hofstra knows there are seven more grueling weekends and 14 conference games remaining.

Like every coach, Santos-Atkinson has a one-game-at-a-time mentality. At the same time, a smile creased her face, knowing that her team has an opportunity to continue its winning ways this weekend against a pair of programs many expect to contend for the CAA championship. The former Florida guard knows there’s joy in the journey of what they want to accomplish.

“We want to see this program reach new heights,” Santos-Atkinson said. “We want to see this program grow. We want to see this program perform at levels it’s never performed at. And we’ve got a team this year striving for that. Our goal is to win a championship … We don’t negate the process of that. And for us, the process of that is getting better every single day, making sure that we’re doing all the things that will put us in a position to win.”

Hampton’s Clinton balancing motherhood and hoops

The soothing sound of a basketball swishing through the hoop like a whisper of perfection isn’t the only music in Jasha Clinton‘s life. There’s also the soft coos and giggles of her 10-month-old daughter, Gia, waiting for her after every game or when she returns from a road trip.

In addition to juggling diaper changes and late-night feedings, the Hampton 5’8 graduate guard is the second-leading scorer in the CAA at 16.0 points per game. She’s also second in the conference in steals (2.4) and field goal percentage (44.7%). A portrait of resilience and determination, Clinton, a Temple transfer, plays with a purpose greater than accumulating terrific statistics.

Every shot, rebound, steal, and more is for her daughter as Clinton shines in the classroom. Being a full-time mom and student-athlete is not easy, but Clinton wouldn’t trade places with anybody. She has a strong support system that has reduced her anxiety. Among numerous gifts, her daughter received two basketball hoops for Christmas.

“The only challenge I would say is when we travel, I just miss my baby,” said Clinton to The Next after Hampton defeated Delaware State on Dec. 30. “Everything is fine, so, overall, it’s not challenging. I’m not struggling or needing help. So, all that is good … My body’s different. I like playing with my teammates. They have made me feel comfortable on the court. It’s been an easy transition.”

First-year Hampton head coach Tamisha Augustin is happy to be reunited with Clinton, who has found her groove.

Augustin had recruited Clinton when she was an assistant coach at Minnesota. She was familiar with her game and, more importantly, as a person. The opportunity presented itself for Clinton to enroll at Hampton after taking a year off from basketball after leaving Temple.

“What Jasha is doing is simply amazing,” Augustin said to The Next after Hampton beat Delaware State on Dec. 30. “It takes a woman’s body two years to recover from having a child. Her daughter is 10 months. She’s a great student. She’s in a master’s counseling program and made straight A’s … She’s getting into a rhythm, and in the last few games, her body is getting in that basketball shape I’ve known her to be.”

The numbers resemble that. Put simply, Clinton has been soaring. On Dec. 21, she scored a Hampton career-high 24 points against George Washington and followed that up with a 22-point performance against Delaware State on Dec. 30. She opened CAA play with 15 points against William & Mary and 18 points against North Carolina A&T. Over her last four games, Clinton is shooting 47.8%.

Clinton also earned CAA Player of the Week honors after her 20-point effort in Hampton’s 76-74 overtime road victory over Georgia on Dec. 1. She has scored in double figures 10 times this season. However, her most significant contribution has just been her presence and availability.

“From a leadership standpoint, she is the type that likes to lead with her play,” Augustin said. “When she gets fiery, gets on defense, and gets moving, everybody else knows it’s time to get moving. So, being as vocal is not her style; she likes to lead through action, and I’m okay with that for her. I knew her when she was just a young girl, and she’s still that same fiery player, but her number one attribute is just being a competitor. Some things she does on the floor, you can’t, you can’t account for.”

Delaware’s Wilson is leaving her mark

Chloe Wilson is the soul of the University of Delaware women’s basketball team.

A whirring blur of relentless activity, Wilson leaves no play unchallenged, diving headfirst onto the floor to wrestle for loose balls, her sheer effort igniting her the Blue Hens. A tireless motor set to full throttle, Wilson’s energy is contagious, and her intensity is unmatched.

With a commanding rebounding presence, Wilson, who plays with two long auburn-colored braids going down her back, out-hustles, out-muscles, and out-jumps defenders for missed shots. Using instincts and heart, the 5’11 graduate forward plays much bigger than her height, which has her leading the CAA in double-doubles with five.

Even though she was selected as a Preseason All-CAA Second Team selection and is fourth in the conference in rebounding at 9.0 per game, Wilson is still under the radar. She opened CAA play by scoring a season-high 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against Drexel in a tough loss. She followed that up by scoring nine points and finishing with 12 rebounds in another six-point loss to Hofstra this past Sunday.

Wilson is one of three Blue Hens averaging double digits in scoring at 10.6 points per game. Ande’a Cherisier leads Delaware in scoring (11.3) and blocked shots. In addition, Tara Cousins averages 11.0 points per game and Rebecca Demeke, who had 11 points against Hofstra, scores at a 9.6 point per game clip.

While Delaware has had a challenging season with injuries and numerous tough defeats, Wilson has been a rock of excellence. Wilson had double-doubles in consecutive games against Evansville, Delaware State, and Villanova earlier this season.

Wilson doesn’t just play the game — she’s creating her hoops legacy, silencing doubters and transforming bleacher critics into believers with each shining performance. According to Her Hoop Stats, Wilson’s defensive rebounding rate (24.9%) is 74th nationally and her total rebounding rate (16.7) is among the top 200 in the country, both the highest of her career.

With a long memory, the affable Wilson reminds the world that the best way to answer doubt is with success. Wilson, who remembers every slight, has used it as fuel to enjoy a phenomenal career in which she’s closing in on 1,500 points. She needs 17 points to reach that magical milestone.

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Aside from proving people wrong, Wilson’s motivation is simple: Her family. She made sure to speak to her mom, dad, and brother following the Hofstra game. Wilson, who has eight tattoos and plans to get more, has her mother’s birthday in roman numerals as well as her mom’s scripted name inked on the inside of her arm. Another sentimental tattoo is of the address of her grandmother.

“It’s also a tribute to my cousins because that’s where we met and how we built our relationship,” Wilson said. “My family means a lot to me because they allowed me to be here. They put me in this position. They push me every day … My mom has been there with me every step of the way since I picked up the basketball.”

One reason why people doubted Wilson, who transferred to Delaware from Fairleigh-Dickson, where she was a member of the All-Northeast Conference Rookie Team, is because she started playing basketball in eighth grade. Wilson was a track athlete until she became focused on basketball. Since then, the basketball world has been grateful for Wilson’s gifts.

Wilson has fun rebounding, but she wants to make it clear that she enjoys every aspect of the game. She averages 11.1 points per game and had a season-best four assists against Hofstra. Wilson has averaged double figures in scoring in each of her last four years. She likes handling the ball at the top of the key and at times initiating the offense. Wilson has been a consistent force.

“I like my whole game because I’m a versatile,” Wilson said. “But I think the best part of my game, or the part that makes my motor go, is my rebounding. I feel like I start with rebounding, and if I start rebounding, it just opens up a lot more for me. I feel like I’m like my driving, or my like, my ability to drive and get to the basket.”

Nunez leads Campbell

Although Campbell dropped a pair of games last week, 5’7 junior guard Gemma Nunez leads the conference in assists per game, averaging 5.6, which is 22nd nationally. Her 79 assists is ranks 26th in the nation. She had nine assists each in the Camels opening CAA games last weekend against UNCW and the College of Charleston. Earlier this season, she had a season-high 10 assists in games against High Point and the University of Miami. For the season, Nunez has handed out at least five assists in seven games. Campbell hosts Hampton on Sunday, Jan. 12.

Career-high scoring performances

There were numerous strong efforts during the opening weekend of CAA action. In addition to Corbett, the following players enjoyed career-high scoring performances.

Campbell’s Hadleigh Dill scored a career-high 15 points against Charleston. William & Mary’s Jana Sallman had a career-high 20 points and 17 rebounds against Hampton while Bella Nascimento’s 24 points against Elon were a career best. Stony Brook’s Janay Brantley scored a career-high 25 points against Northeastern. UNCW’s Ali Zelaya had a career-high 19 points against Campbell.