CAA notebook: Preston and Anderson’s joyful noises have been a blessing for Elon

Preston, named the Coastal Athletic Association Player of the Week on Nov. 18, is thrilled to be back on the court with Elon University after sitting out all of last season due to a lower-body injury from overuse. Anderson, meanwhile, is grateful for the opportunity to join the Elon women’s basketball program after transferring from Division II Mount Olive.

But the affable pair of Elon guards are excited about something else, something beyond Phoenix’s solid 3-2 start to the season.

“I am glad not to have to play against her anymore,” a relieved Preston said during a Zoom call with The Next last week. “We always played against each other in high school. … Now, playing with her has been really exciting. I knew she was going to be a great addition to our program. So, I’m glad she’s here.”

Of course, veteran head coach Charlotte Smith is blessed to have both players performing at a high level to start what everybody around the Elon program believes will be a special campaign.

Preston, who recorded consecutive double-doubles in games last week against NCAA Tournament participants Marshall and Kent State, leads the team with a 13.6-point per-game average. Anderson is second on the Phoenix in scoring at 12.4 points per game. Freshman Jayda Angel, who scored a career-high 20 points against Virginia Tech, rounded out Elon’s double-digit scoring triumvirate. She averages 11.8 points per game.

“We’re getting better, and that’s the goal — to get 1% better every day,” Smith said. “Now, early on in the season, we were trying to gel, trying to learn how to play with each other, and I feel like each game, we’re getting better and better in terms of understanding what we’re trying to accomplish offensively and just on the defensive end.

“We’ve been relentless and have created many easy opportunities for us defensively,” Smith continued. “And this is, you know, the type of defensive team that I’ve been longing to see for years. To be able to press and create some easy opportunities off of our press defense has given us a big luxury offensively.”

Sitting out last season proved to be a blessing in disguise for Preston, who played soccer as a youngster before choosing to focus on basketball. As a spectator during the previous season, Preston gained a new and positive perspective, which helped her become a more vocal leader.

“It’s great to be back,” Preston said. “I’m grateful for having to sit out and see the game through a different lens. But I’m also excited to be back to help my teammates on the court. I typically like to lead by example. I am typically reserved, but sitting out and [being] unable to lead by example, I could tell the girls things that I saw on the court, think of ways we could get better, and then translate that into the game.”

Meanwhile, Anderson, a cheerleader before trading her pom-poms in for sneakers, ranked in the top 50 among Division II players in points and steals per game last season. She has shown a dynamite ability to score the play and be a defensive disruptor. Anderson leaned into her faith when she made the decision to join the Elon program.

“It was more about how I felt when I got here,” Anderson said. “I like to build connections with coaches, and Coach Smith was close to God, and that’s how I am, so it clicked from there. Basketball just came after. The culture here is very good.”

The team bonds through various activities, including community service and social gatherings. They value playing for higher purposes, such as inspiring young fans and promoting education. They watched WNBA games together and enjoyed delicious team meals at Smith’s house, which features her famous pot roast.

Preston had a mischievous grin when reflecting back on the water gun fights and throwing buckets of water at each other. They all got excited when discussing watching the movie “The Forge.” These moments of fun have strengthened Elon’s connection, which has been reflected on the court.

“Part of being great on the court is having that culture and chemistry off the court,” Smith said. They do an excellent job of being intentional about building relationships and intentional about spending time together. We just talked about having joy juice, playing the game with joy, showing up to practice with joy, and just enjoying life.”

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During tight games, they trust each other.

In all three of their victories, the confident and composed Phoenix trailed at some point during the fourth quarter. Yet, they found a way. Defensively, Elon has held teams to 38.2 percent (18-for-47) shooting in the fourth quarter of those victories.

In the win over Gardner-Webb University, Angel, who was the CAA Rookie of the Week on Nov. 11, scored eight of her 17 points in the fourth quarter. Angel and Anderson combined for 35 points in the victory over High Point. In the win over Kent State University, Anderson and Preston each scored 20 or more points. The Phoenix trailed Elon by one point with 80 seconds remaining.

Yet, it was Elon sprinting to the finish line behind Preston’s clutch shot-making and a determined defensive effort that held Kent State scoreless on four straight possessions. In the win over Kent State, the Phoenix defense forced a season-high 26 turnovers, recording a season-best 18 steals.

Preston’s presence has made a difference. She leads the conference in steals per game (3.0). She’s also second in the CAA in rebounding (9.6), fifth in field goal percentage (39.7%) and sixth in scoring. The 2023 CAA Rookie of the Year understands that being on the floor playing is a privilege and something she doesn’t take for granted.

Preston also knows that another set of eyes is on her every move, motivating her every time she puts on the sacred Elon uniform.

“I play for an audience of one, and that’s my parents and my sister,” said Preston, who is majoring in exercise science. “My sister plays basketball at Johnson & Wales, and it’s her first year, so she’s always said I’m her biggest role model. So, I’m just trying to be a light for her and continue to pave the way and be a good role model.”

Demeke Making A Difference For Delaware

Rebecca Demeke is healthy, thriving, and at home.

The 6’0 University of Delaware senior guard is relieved to have left behind the injuries and challenges that marked her earlier years. During her first year at Delaware, she pushed through a torn labrum in her hip, playing with cortisone shots and performing admirably but not at her full potential. Coming off a disappointing experience at Rhode Island following her transfer from North Carolina State, Demeke feared history might repeat itself.

“I worked hard that whole summer to come here and make an impact,” Demeke told The Next after Delaware’s recent home game against Temple. “Then I tore my labrum in my hip in two places. That was hard for me. I ended up playing through it and didn’t have a bad season. I had a pretty good season, but it was not the best I could have had. That was a bit of a setback for me mentally. Tearing my hip was tough on me personally because of how hard I worked to come from URI. Mentally, I wasn’t motivated at all. I was going through the motions.”

Demeke and Jenkins share a bond that has only deepened with time, fueled by Demeke’s fiery competitive spirit and Jenkins’ belief in her potential. Demeke adjusted her work habits, sharpened her focus, and strengthened her desire to become one of CAA’s elite players.

Despite several early-season injuries for the Blue Hens, Demeke has kept the team focused while flourishing under third-year head coach Sarah Jenkins, who originally recruited her out of high school.

“She’s working hard,” Delaware head coach Sarah Jenkins said. “I mean, she’s competing. She has done a complete 360 since she’s got here. In my opinion, she wasn’t working as hard or wasn’t as committed to basketball. Now, she’s learned how to be committed. She’s dialed in. She’s one of our most competitive kids, competing every day in practice. And she’s grown. I’m proud of her. She’s decided to own a role. And her role is to defend from the top of the key, be a defensive spark for us, and knock down open shots.”

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Through five games, Demeke averages 9.6 points per game, which is third on the team. She opened the season with consecutive double-digit scoring against Atlantic-10 opponents George Washington and La Salle. She had ten games last season in which she scored in double digits, including a three-game stretch where she scored 14 points against Monmouth, 18 against Drexel, and a career-best against UNCW.

“I’ll do anything for her,” Demeke said. “I would run through a wall for her. She’s taught me so much, not just about basketball but about life. Coach Sarah helped me realize my potential. I remember her saying, ‘At the end of the day, anything you decide to do is going to be hard, so you have to choose your hard and work at it.’ The coaching staff feels like family — I value my relationship with her.

“Coach Sarah just has given me a different perspective,” Demeke continued. She’s given me a lot of chances … I have the utmost respect for her because she genuinely cares about her players, and she genuinely cares about us as people.”

Demeke, who got into basketball by playing with her older brother, Theodrose, enjoyed a great freshman year at N.C. State. She played 14 games during her rookie campaign, averaging 2.6 points and 1.6 rebounds in 10.3 minutes per outing. She started consecutive games against Coastal Carolina and Elon. Not that she has regrets, but Demeke learned a valuable lesson after leaving N.C. State.

“I had COVID, so it sat me back two weeks,” Demeke recalled. “If I were more patient, I would have stayed at N.C. State because I played good minutes as a freshman at the end of the day. I should have been patient with it; that’s one of the things that I grew to learn about myself.”

Her patience is coming in handy now as she’s learning to develop into a leader of a team with talent like 5’9 sophomore Grace Sundback, 6’5 freshman Gianna Johnson, 5’10 freshman Trinity Vance and 5’8 graduate guard Sydney Boone.

“I’m not naturally a leader type, but since I’ve been here, I know the system, and now I tend to be the one to help people with things,” Demeke said. “I can connect with my teammates and am a people person. I’m a fifth year, so just being that role model, like, that’s all I can do, such as helping people through plays and through things that I know we need to do to be able to win. That’s what I need to do, especially with these injuries.”

The Blue Hens showed some spark against Temple, and the foundation for future success was laid, especially after Michelle Ojo scored a career-high-tying 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting and Chloe Wilson posted her first career double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds. Tara Cousins (10.8 points per game) and Ande’a Cherisier (10.2) are the Blue Hen leading scorers.

Six players hit for double figures highlighted by Jiya Perry’s career-high 14 points during an 88-82 victory over Colgate on Nov. 19.

The Blue Hens travel to New Orleans after Thanksgiving to compete in the 2024 Big Easy Classic against Tarleton State on Friday, November 29, and Evansville on Saturday, November 30.

Jenkins is still optimistic that better days are ahead for the Blue Hens.

“The positives are our kids are fighting,” Jenkins said. “We’re learning how to fight while we’re down. For a team you know hasn’t been winning and we’re coming off a losing season, we’re learning how to win. So, it’s tough not having key players while you’re trying to come out of that and learning how to win. And you know, as coaches, we’ve got to figure out ways to adjust and to clean it up.”

Johnston Growing Into Larger Role

India Johnston knew she would have to play a more significant role this season for the Towson women’s basketball team. The Tigers entered this year needing to replace 36.8% of their scoring, 43.6% of their rebounding, 36.5% of their assists, and 46.7% of their steals from a season ago.

The task got a little harder after losing its top two returning scorers from last season, Patricia Anumgba, who underwent successful season-ending shoulder surgery, and Alexia Nelson, who is no longer with the Tigers. Anumgba was a unanimous Preseason All-Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) First Team selection.

Instead of being discouraged by this new reality, Johnston has embraced the added responsibility.

The 5’8 junior guard leads Towson in scoring (13.0) and minutes played (36.3), which is second in the CAA. She has scored double figures in the Tigers’ last three games, including a season-best 22-point performance against 11th-ranked Maryland. She made five of her team-leading 12 3-pointers against the Terrapins. Johnston is also seventh in the CAA in 3-pointers made per game (2.0).

Her shooting was a point of emphasis during the summer, as she focused on using a quicker release to get shots off and expanding her shooting range.

“Not settling for that three-point line, but taking a couple steps back as well,” Johnston said during a Zoom interview with The Next. “Another thing I focused on this summer was being more aggressive. I know my game is very unselfish. I like making plays, making the extra pass, and hitting the open man. But I also know that I need to score for us to win. So just focusing on being aggressive, knowing when to pass, when to shoot myself, those are the two things that I can say that I definitely worked on the summer.”

Johnston’s usage rate has increased to 22.5% this season, up from 17.5% last season according to Her Hoop Stats. In addition, as another sign of her development into a complete threat, her assist rate is 18.5%, up from 8.1% last year. She had six assists against George Washington, which complemented her 11 points. Johnston finished with 17 points and six rebounds against Liberty.

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She’s been stepping up and doing her best to grow into her new role.

“We’re not getting the outcome that we want, but I do believe that every game, we are getting better as a team,” Johnston said. “Something that I’ve improved at or improved on is being more vocal on the court when I’m playing. I’m a very quiet person. That’s just how I am. That’s my personality.

“But on the court, I tried just to be vocal ,” Johnston continued. “My goal is to make sure everyone feels confident. If you miss a shot, it’s okay to shoot the next one. You know, just encouraging my teammates, making sure everyone is in the right spots, and then just being vocal on the court, I definitely can say that I improved in that area.”

Through all the adversity, Johnston attributes her resilience during tough times to her faith, visible through a small tattoo on her left lower arm. Johnston loves to eat, shop, and spend time with her family. That provides her peace. Talking with her mom, Megan is a source of strength and inspiration for the passionate Johnston, who enjoyed a phenomenal high school career in leading Caravel (Del.) Academy to a state championship in 2022 and was named Delaware’s Gatorade Player of the Year twice.

Johnston remains confident in the Tigers’ ability to achieve their goals this season.

In their last two games, the Tigers have shown their potential. They fought hard against George Washington, trailing by two points entering the fourth quarter. Then, against Liberty, they showcased their resilience by erasing a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to tie the game. Although they were unable to finish, these bright performances provide the confidence the Tigers will need to be successful when CAA play starts.

“There’s so many good things about being part of the Towson program,” Johnston said. “I mean, like I said before, we’re not necessarily getting the outcomes we want. But, you know, my team, we don’t give up. We’re just trusting that it is just preparing us for the conference. The things that I love about my program are my team and coaches. All our coaches believe in us, and they pour into us daily. Everyone has each other’s back. We’re sisters, and you don’t get that everywhere.”

Towson will have more bonding moments as a team when it competes in the 2024 Puerto Rico Classic against UTSA on Friday and Youngstown State on Saturday. Johnston’s experience is definitely appreciated, as third-year head coach Laura Harper‘s rotation features many new faces learning the Towson system.

Transfer Deja Bristol, a 6’0 graduate forward, averages 9.0 points per game. Freshman Khady Leye, a 6’2 forward, averages 8.3 points per game and a team-best 7.8 rebounds, which is sixth in the conference. Another freshman playing a huge role is 5’11 forward Shariah Baynes, averaging 30.7 minutes.

“It’s a lot of pressure,” Harper said of Johnston during a postgame interview following the Morgan State game. “She’s adapting, taking it, working, moving, and doing whatever the team needs … Our two freshmen are fearless. They’re not going to the same players now, once we start the conference, so we’re building for that. I’m proud of Sharia; I’m proud of Khady. I’m proud of all of them. They come to practice every single day to compete. We just got to keep growing from every single game.”

Charleston remains perfect

The College of Charleston heads into Thanksgiving as the CAA’s lone undefeated program after beating Iona, 77-41, last week. The 4-0 Cougars lead the country in three statistical categories through Nov. 24: bench points per game (48.3), turnover margin (19.5), and turnovers forced per game (33.2).

The Cougars have gotten an early boost from 6’3 junior center/forward Lara Rohkohl. She leads the conference in rebounding (10.5 per game) and ranks second in the country in offensive rebounds, averaging 5.7 per game. Rohkohl has two double-doubles against Meredith (23 points, 12 rebounds) and Iona (10 points and 11 rebounds). In connecting at a conference-leading 74.1% clip from the field this season, Rohkohl has missed seven shots. She is second in the NCAA in field-goal percentage.

According to Her Hoops Stats advanced metrics, Rohkohl is 24th nationally in offensive rebounding rate (20.0%), 56th in total rebounding rate (20.3%) and effective field goal percentage (71.4%), 86th in defensive win shares per 40 minutes (0.12), and 96th in points per scoring attempt (1.41).

A December highlight for the Cougars will be their participation in the Hawk Classic, hosted by Saint Joseph’s on Friday, Dec. 20, and Saturday, Dec. 21. Charleston opens with Northwestern. It could also meet either Howard or Saint Joseph’s.

Coastal crossovers

Hofstra is the only program with two players in the top 10 in conference scoring in Chloe Sterling (16.8 points per game, second) and Emma Von Essen (13.4, seventh). Hofstra also features two of the CAA’s top four rebounders in Zyheima Swint (9.4 per game, third) and LaNae’ Corbett (8.6, fourth). Stony Brook has continued its winning ways under first-year head coach Joy McCorvey. Led by Zaida Gonzalez, who averages a team-leading 15.0 points per game, which is fifth in the conference, the Seawolves are 3-2 heading into a pre-Thanksgiving game against Harvard. Drexel’s Amaris Baker, who averages 16.8 points per game, opened the season by scoring at least 20 points in the Dragons’ first three games of the season.