MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - The 2022-23 women's basketball team is in its final days of preparation before kicking off the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 12. Last season, the Marauders consisted of young talent and finished with a 7-20 overall record and went 6-16 in PSAC East play. With head coach Sharay Hall entering her second season, she continues to rebuild the program and stresses cohesion and connectivity to her players. 

"Last year we did a lot of individual practices in preseason," Hall said. "This year we incorporated team practices in order to build chemistry early on. We wanted to talk about our principles and our identity before starting the season. It's important to gather the returners as well as our new players together so they can get ahold of what our team values and build team cohesiveness." 

Defense continues to be a priority for Hall and the coaching staff.

"We are a defensive minded team, everyone knows that about me, and everyone will know that about our team."

Millersville ranked ninth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in points allowed last season, which was a massive increase from the 2019-20 year when the Marauders were ranked last. They forced 556 turnovers on their opponents and averaged 10 steals per game. 

With preseason coming to an end, the coaching staff has been pleased with the team's performance and growth from last year.

"We are starting to see cohesion on the court," Hall said. "We are reading where each other are on the floor and feeling confident to take certain shots that they would have passed up last year. The confidence level has grown, which encourages everyone to be the best version of themselves on the floor, as well as a unit."

The preseason poll, which was released on Oct. 27, ranked the Marauders at No. 6 in the PSAC East. 

Millersville is already testing its limits by scheduling two Division I exhibition games in the beginning of their season and has already played in their first match-up against nationally ranked Maryland.

"It was a big deal for our team to see where we stand and what we can do," said Hall. "We received a lot of compliments and encouragement from fans, alumni, and Maryland themselves on our performance."  

Millersville has big shoes to fill, losing one of the top players in program history, Lauren Lister. Lister crushed a career scoring record by reaching 2,021 points as a Marauder. As a guard, she was a three-time All-PSAC East First team selection and earned All-Atlantic Region Second team twice. The Marauders' roster consists of 10 returners with the addition of four freshmen, two graduate transfers, and one sophomore transfer. Hall is leaning on sophomores Makiah Shaw and Brenna Ortwein to lead the way after contributing during their first year at Millersville. 

Shaw enters her second year after starting in 26 games while seeing action in all 27 during her freshman campaign. The 6-0 forward finished second on the team in points per game (7.1).

"Makiah was a big part of our offense as a freshman," Hall said. "There are some expectations of her to continue what she did last year and add to her skillset. She's finding her footing but she's still young. Once she finds her shots and gets to her spots on the floor, I think she'll find her way."  

Ortwein is another sophomore that saw success in her first year at the collegiate level. The guard appeared in every game and made 26 starts. She led the team in rebounding (122) and averaged 23.8 minutes per game.

"Brenna was a freshman starter last year and she's still being Brenna," said Hall. "We are helping to grow her offensive game and for her to have more scoring opportunities. Her defensive game has grown through the work she put in this summer; she looks good."  

Graduate transfers Taylor Langan and Jabria Ingram are expected to make an immediate impact for Millersville both on and off the court.

"Our graduate transfers are coming in with experience from their Division I institutions, we are expecting them to help navigate and lead with their maturity on the floor, as well as in the scoring column," said Hall. 

Langan arrives in Millersville after graduating from Colgate University. The guard appeared in nine games and started six for Colgate in her previous season. "With such a young team, I'm excited to bring Taylor on board as a grad transfer with her experience and maturity," said Hall. "She has a contagious work ethic, and a relentless approach to the game, she will be a great example of leadership for us. She also brings offensive versatility that is going to aid in our read-and-react offense this season."  

Ingram previously played for the University of Hartford. In her final season with the Hawks, she started 20 games while appearing in 26. The guard averaged 2.8 assists per game and ranked second in steals with 34. "Jabria is another graduate transfer that is bringing division one experience to such a young team," said Hall. "She is a versatile combo guard with the ability to scan the floor at an elite level. Ingram a great addition to defense as she is a gnat on the ball and will help us continue our efforts as a tough defensive team." 

Christina Brown, Madison Grubb, La'Shyra Williams, Alyssa Rodriques, Bria Beverly, Asia Eames, Charlotte Carlies, and Christa Ricks are among the returners from the 2021-22 season. Williams is a crucial part of Millersville's defense; she ranked second on the team in rebounds with 86 and third in blocks with nine. Millersville also adds sophomore Nia Lawrence to the roster, a transfer from East Georgia State. "Nia is a versatile small forward with raw talent and athleticism with a relentless work ethic," said Hall. She practices exactly how she plays. Nia is an aggressive rebounder and can stretch the floor for us offensively with her ability to attack downhill and shoot a consistent 15-footer."

The addition of four freshman keeps the Millersville roster young and brings different challenges to the coaching staff.

"We've had to understand it's going to take time for us to get them going," said Hall. "Our patience and constant communication have allowed us to work better with our young players. There are a lot of things I want to happen right now, but they just aren't going to."
 
The newest members of the Millersville roster include Morgan Mahoney, Jillian Crawford, Jaida Parker, and Marin Miller. Hall explained her excitement for the freshman to join the Marauder squad and discussed their adjustment to the college level.

"We have freshman coming in that want to contribute to our success which I'm excited for," Hall said. "They are still learning the college game, pace, physicality, and what it means to be a college athlete. They are still young and learning, but we have a group of girls that are willing to learn and put the work in."  

Mahoney was an All-State First Team selection, conference player of the year, and assisted her team in winning two conference championships. She also performed in the classroom and received the state academic/athletic award. "Morgan is a long, versatile player who can create mismatches for us," said Hall. "She can play both inside and out and is a good passer at the post position."

Crawford was selected twice to the All-County First Team and All-State First Team. She was nominated twice as a McDonald's All-American and received All-Metro Second Team honors. Crawford assisted her team in winning the conference, regional, and state championships. "Jillian brings grit and toughness to the program," said Hall. "Although she can score on all three levels, she enjoys doing the intangible work. Her willingness to sacrifice her body for her team and the spark she brings will be extremely important to our program this season."

As a guard, Parker reached 1,000 points during her high school career. She was a two-time Altoona Mirror First Team selection while also receiving Mountain League MVP and Altoona Mirror Player of the week twice. Parker was an All-State Third Team selection and contributed to her team's two District VI 4A Championships. "Jaida is an athletic, skilled versatile player who can play inside and out," said Hall. "Her athleticism and quickness will help us on the defensive side of the floor."

Miller looks to run the floor in the point guard position. She reached 1,500 points and is the second all-time leading scorer in Hollidaysburg history. Miller was named to the All-State Second Team and was a three-time Altoona Mirror First Team selection. The point guard was named Altoona Mirror player and athlete of the year. In Blair County, she received all-star MVP status and leads the county as the all-time leading scorer. Miller contributed to her team's success in winning three District VI 5A Championships. "Marin is a feisty, strong athletic guard who although is small, has the fight of a lion," said Hall. "Her ability to attack downhill and hit shots will help open the floor for other players. She is a three-level scorer who knows how to pick her spots and read the defense well."

The Maraduers looks to improve from their previous year and see success on the court from the work they've put in thus far. Starting the season with two Division I exhibition games brings a positive challenge to the Marauders, preparing them for the tough regular season schedule ahead of them.

"Our practices have been very competitive," said Hall. "They are going to make it hard on me to pick our starting five. Everyone is working equally hard every day, it's a good place to be in." 

Millersville is set to host their second Division I exhibition game in Pucillo Gymnasium on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. The Marauders will then kick off their regular season schedule by hosting the CIAA/PSAC Challenge this coming weekend in Pucillo Gymnasium. Millersville will play Shaw University on Saturday Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. and Virginia Union on Nov. 13 with a tip-off time of 3 p.m.  

The CIAA/PSAC Challenge includes Shaw University, Virginia Union, East Stroudsburg, and Millersville. On Nov. 12, East Stroudsburg and Virginia Union University will start the tournament with a 4 p.m. tip-off time, followed by Millersville and Shaw University at 6 p.m. The tournament will finish Nov. 13 with East Stroudsburg playing Shaw University at 1 p.m. and Millersville closing with Virginia Union at 3 p.m.  

SCOUTING THE BEARS 
The Bears landed at No. 11 in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) preseason poll and predicted to finish at No. 6 in the Northern Division. Shaw finished the 2021-22 season with a 10-15 overall record and went 7-8 in the conference. The Bears clinched the No. 6 seed in the CIAA Tournament but fell in the first-round to No. 11 seed Virginia State with a score of 62-38. Shaw returns a few of their key players from the 2021-22 season, including leading scorer Mackenzie Pollard and Tanayja London. Pollard totaled 281 points and averaged 12.2 per game. On the defensive end, she led the team in defensive rebounds with 70. London was the Bears' second leading scorer, totaling 170 points and averaging 10 per game. London grabbed 42 offensive rebounds and led the Bears in total rebounds (111). The first game of the season for Shaw will be against Millersville.  

SCOUTING THE PANTHERS 
Virginia Union was picked to finish No. 7 overall in the CIAA preseason poll and No. 4 in the Northern Division. The Panthers had two returners named to the Pre-Season All-CIAA team, Ny Langley and Taniah Johnson. Langley led Virginia Union in scoring with a 13.3 points per game average last season and averaging 6.8 rebounds per game. Johnson was second on the team in scoring with an average of 11.7 points per game. The Panthers finished their 2021-22 campaign with a 10-14 overall record and finished 7-7 in their conference. Virginia Union advanced to the CIAA Tournament but was defeated in the first round by Claflin University, 68-56. The Panthers opened the 2022-23 season with a loss against the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a score of 71-51.