Fueled by late mom’s spirit, Coppin State’s Cire Worley provides spark and big shots

The sport soothed Worley through the darkest moments off the court, like losing her mother to lung cancer when she was in the third grade. Her resilience has been her true north star and has guided her to success on the court. Because of this trait, Worley has excelled for the Coppin State’s women’s basketball program after a sterling high school career in which she scored over 1,700 points.

For the 6′ sophomore guard, basketball has been both a panacea and a bond that ties her family together.

Her father, Eric, is a familiar presence in the stands, easy to spot as he watches his daughter with pride. Occasionally, their eyes lock during games or they exchange a knowing nod. He may receive a text message from Worley before and after games, but most of the time, Eric is simply a father, watching his daughter play the sport she loves — which holds so much meaning for both of them.

Nicknamed “Pooh,” Worley remembers her mom, Kim, attending some of her games when she was younger and healthy. Kim was a teacher. She played basketball at Northeast High School in Philadelphia and Division III Arcadia, formerly known as Beaver College in the Philadelphia suburbs.

Even now, Worley feels her presence. Playing in her first Coppin State-Morgan State “Battle of Baltimore” game, Worley made two huge 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead triple with 68 seconds remaining, that she knows her mom would have been proud of.

“It means everything because I know every game I play she is always with me,” Worley said to The Next postgame following Coppin State’s 61-56 victory over Morgan State on Jan. 25. “My last memory of my mom was maybe her coming to my games when I played with the boys.”

Worley’s 10 points in her first start of the season complemented her teammates Angel Jones (20 points) and Laila Lawrence (18 points, 13 rebounds) as Coppin State rallied late to beat Morgan State at Hill Field House on Saturday afternoon. The frenzied crowd, which featured Morgan State’s “Magnificent Marching Machine”, was exhausted from another fiery battle between these two rivals, who are separated only by five miles.

“Cire is one of the nicest kids I’ve ever been around in my life,” Coppin State head coach Jermaine Woods said. “Sometimes I got to light a fire under her, and I thought she wasn’t playing hard enough or physical enough in the first half. I challenged her. I didn’t start her in the second half, and she looked at me and was like, I’m ready. She was aggressive and physical and went to the contact instead of avoiding it. She’s a big part of why we have a chance to win our upcoming games. We need her to be good. And I tell her that all the time. When she’s playing like that, and then Laila and Angel are going, we’re pretty good.”

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It may be one of the least-discussed rivalries in HBCU basketball, but Coppin State and Morgan State leave everything on the floor — diving for loose balls, contesting every rebound and battling with unshakable determination — when they face each other. Amid a cluster of screaming fans, injured players left the game and returned a few minutes later. In a tightly-contested series in which Morgan State leads 46-45 after Coppin State’s third straight win over the Bears, a fire always burns within every player during these matchups.

“I feel like we had a lot of time to think about this game because we hadn’t played in the last 12 days,” Worley said. “It felt like practice was just like, Coppin versus Morgan. Coppin versus Morgan all week because it’s what people look forward to. Since school was back, we knew the game would be lit. It was a fun atmosphere.”

Growing up in a basketball family and playing in Philadelphia, Worley felt at home in the savage and steamy cauldron of a tough road environment. Playing with relentless passion, she not only mirrors her mother’s appearance but also carries her fearless spirit — a legacy that fuels her every move on the court. Worley’s character sustained her during times of adversity. She is also lifted up by her large support system at games this year, which has made all the difference.

“Losing her mother at a young age is hard, but her resilience is special,” Eric said of his daughter. “She has a village that she has around her, and although she lost her mother, she gained another handful of mothers that was helpful and supported her through a very difficult time. A couple of years after her mother passed away, I was fortunate enough to find another woman who came into Cire’s life during an important time when she was transitioning into middle school. Her stepmother, Drea, has been a great value add to her life, and another just part of that village that has supported Cire since her mother passed.”

As she grew up, Worley made a home for herself in the sneaker-squeaking sanctuary. It’s where she found solace, strength, understanding and peace. It was her way of coping while staying tethered to her mother’s presence. Her father, Eric, calls basketball the “family business,” but for Worley, it’s the heartbeat of their bond, a shared love language, keeping everybody connected.

Worley transferred to Coppin State this year after averaging 4.8 points per game at UMass Lowell. Worley’s dad, Eric, is in the West Chester Hall of Fame. Worley’s sister Dee played at Hofstra and was an assistant coach at UMass Lowell for two years, while her cousin, Aaliyah, played basketball at Stony Brook University. Playing AAU for Philly Triple Threat and Philly Rise, Worley graduated as the all-time leading scorer in Abington High School history.

Playing college basketball closer to home has been a blessing for Worley. Eric and Worley discuss strategic adjustments regularly after games.

“Having my family at games always helps me,” Worley said. “For most games, I have somebody at the game for me because I’m not far from home. Knowing that everybody is there is like an extra battery in my back. I’m the most comfortable I have been thus far. In the beginning, it was a challenge because I was learning different positions and making sure I knew everything I needed to do from each spot.”

Playing focused and composed, Worley has scored in double figures in six of Coppin State’s last nine games, where she’s averaged 12.2 points on 50.6% (41-for-81) shooting. Worley scored a career-high 22 points during a 69-52 win over Bryant on Dec. 28. She had 16 points in an 84-38 triumph over South Carolina State on Jan. 6.

According to CBB Analytics, Worley has taken 42.4% of her shots from 3-point distance. She’s also been effective, making shots at the rim, shooting 71.9% (23-for-32). Her 56.8% effective field goal percentage leads Coppin State.

The Eagles have already matched their win total of 12 from last season with nine conference games remaining. Worley is one of four Coppin State players with at least 20 made 3-pointers.

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Off the court, Worley has an entrepreneurial spirit. Along with her younger sister, Taylor Linton, she created a girls’ empowerment brand called Bucket Get(Her). By their definition, Bucket Get(Her) means, “She who hoops or gets multiple buckets. The name is often given to a ball-her who is un-guardable.”

They started their business during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it exploded on social media, through pop-up shops, and by sharing their merchandise at basketball tournaments. The business and its success are meaningful for the pair as their goal is to inspire and empower girls with a powerful symbol of strength and resilience that the clothing represents.

“All of our girls have played basketball, so the ball was in her hands from the beginning,” Eric shared. “So, to see the journey that she’s going through and having the success that she’s had on the court, I’m just glad that she’s happy and having fun with the game.”

Worley approaches each moment on the floor with an attitude of gratitude. While her mom’s memory is simultaneously a constant source of strength and a heartbreaking loss, Worley is blessed with the opportunity to inspire others through her basketball talent and her clothing line. She’s comforted by the knowledge that with a supportive family, she’s carrying on her mom’s legacy. Worley knows her mom would be proud of the woman she’s become — strong, compassionate and unyielding in her purpose.

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