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| Greensboro photo by Alta Sky Photography |
Shanita Hampton has been an all-around success on the floor in her two seasons for the Greensboro Pride.
The senior, who started her career at Brunswick Community College, in Leland, N.C., is the leading scorer for the Pride, second in assists and leads in steals. She averages 13.2 points per game for the Pride, who are 10-3, 5-2 in the USA South.
“I’m playing well, but I know there are always things I can improve on,” Hampton said. “But overall it has gone pretty well for me.”
She spent a great deal of time in the offseason working all aspects of her game, trying to be more than just a scorer. So far, so good.
“Shanita is a very valuable part of our program,” Greensboro coach Randy Tuggle said. “She’s a good scorer and is one of the best defenders on our team. Shanita is one of those players who goes hard all of the time. She’s a great kid and I’m fortunate she is on our team.”
Hampton was a multi-sport athlete at East Columbus High School in North Carolina, competing in volleyball, track and softball in addition to basketball. And it didn’t take her long to adapt to Division III hoops. Hampton shot 48.6 percent from the field and averaged 14.7 points per game last year. She also dished out 62 assists and racked up 54 steals en route to earning second-team All-USA South honors.
“The big thing for me was getting used to the game at this level,” Hampton said. “Once I gained experience, things went well.”
Everything is going well this season for the Pride, which has won its last two games, including a 64-46 win over Methodist on Saturday. The win was the 100th for Tuggle in his career at Greensboro.
Interestingly enough, Tuggle is that he never planned on being a head coach at the college level. He got into the mortgage and real estate business and planned to make a living that way.
A former basketball standout at UNC-Greensboro, Tuggle was offered the chance to be an assistant with the Pride in 2001. He is now in his sixth season as the head coach.
“I feel blessed to be a part of this program,” Tuggle said. “Coaching was something I loved to do and I have great kids on this team. They work hard and want to succeed.”
The Pride averages 74.6 points per game, with an average margin of victory of more than 20 points. It thrives off defensive pressure that wears on opponents, and it’s the reason it is forcing an average of 25.5 turnovers per game.
“We have a good mix of returning players and new players, and we have continued to do what we did last year, and that is put a lot of pressure on people,” Tuggle said. “We have 10 kids averaging double digits in minutes played. It’s worked out well.”
Hampton and Tiffani Stephens (10.2) are the only two players averaging in double figures in points, but five other players average at least six points per outing.
“We have a good team and we have played really well together,” Hampton said. “Things are going good and we feel like we still have so much more that we can accomplish.”
Greensboro was knocked out of the conference tourney in the first round last season, falling 68-58 to LaGrange. The Pride is hoping to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since going to the Sweet 16 four years ago.
“We are in good shape and everyone has bought into what we are trying to do,” Tuggle said. “We just have to keep working hard. We’d like to win the conference tournament and ultimately make the NCAA tournament. I feel good about our chances.”
Marvelous Mitchell
Junior Mitchell rose to the occasion in a big game for East Texas Baptist, coming through with a double-double in the Tigers’ 76-65 win over Louisiana College on Thursday.
Mitchell lit up the scoreboard for 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. He nearly turned in a triple-double as he dished out five assists as well.
The performance by Mitchell helped the Tigers move into third place in the American Southwest Conference. The Tigers, winners of four straight, are 13-4 overall and 8-4 in the ASC.
The double-double was the first of the season for Mitchell, who is averaging 11.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Mitchell has also dished out a team-best 52 assists.
Still perfect
Calvin stepped out of Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play on Saturday to battle the Illinois Institute of Technology and rolled to a 98-27 victory.
The Knights remain unbeaten, improving to 17-0 overall. They are also the lone unbeaten in the MIAA with an 8-0 record.
Calvin has had only one game decided by less than 10 points this season, and that was a 76-74 conference win over second-place Hope on Jan. 17th.
Balance has been key for the Knights, who average 80.9 points per outing. Breanna Verkaik, whose older sister was 2013 D3hoops.com Player of the Year Carissa Verkaik leads the way at 13.0 points per game, while Kayla Engelhard adds 12.5 per outing. Hannah Acre (10.2) and Anna Timmer (10.0) have been steady contributors as well.
Big win for Big Red
Denison picked up its second consecutive win on Saturday, and it was a big one as the Big Red knocked off No. 23 Ohio Wesleyan 73-70 in front of the largest crowd of the season at the Livingston Center.
Bret Woolard paved the way as he scored 16 points. Briggs King recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Denison shot 51.7 percent from the field.
The first meeting of the year between the two teams was also tight, with Denison falling 76-74 in early December. This time, the Big Red was ready for the challenge.
Woolard has played a big part in Denison’s success, averaging 12.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He has scored in double figures in two straight games and has scored 20 or more twice this year.
Milestone moment
Beth Switzler needed only 10 points to get to 1,000 for her career, and Saturday against Wilmington, the John Carroll senior reached the scoring milestone.
Switzler scored 11 points to help the Blue Streaks knock off the Quakers 70-58 in Ohio Athletic Conference action. Not only did Switzler carve out a place in school history, but the Blue Streaks are still perfect at home, improving to 8-0 at the DeCarlo Center.
Switzler is averaging 12.7 ppg and is grabbing 8.7 rebounds per game as well for the Blue Streaks, who have won 10 in a row.
Leading scorer Kaitlyn Spahar (19.3) scored 26 points for the second straight game as John Carroll improved to 16-1 overall and 9-1 in the OAC.
Gents on a roll
Centenary capped off a perfect week with a 62-58 road win over Schreiner on Saturday. It was the second consecutive victory for the Gents, who are riding a five-game win streak.
James Sapp played a key role as he poured in 12 points and pulled down 14 rebounds, marking his fifth double-double of the year. Sapp has scored in double figures 15 times and is averaging 15.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
The Gents, after opening the season losing four of their first six games, are 10-8 overall and in first place in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Association with a 6-2 record.
Dangerous duo
Valerie Dunlap and Taylor Cortazzo stepped up for Washington & Jefferson on Saturday, combining for 45 points in the the Presidents’ 78-68 win over Grove City.
Dunlap scored 25 points and also crashed the boards to the tune of 12 rebounds. She blocked five shots as well. Cortazzo finished with 20 points to go along with four rebounds, five assists and three steals. Their effort helped W&J win its third consecutive game.
Taylor is second on the team in scoring, clicking for 12.6 ppg, while Dunlap is averaging 11.5 ppg for the Presidents, who are 13-4 overall and 7-3 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.
