It is that time of the year when the college basketball season gets underway. Teams have hopes of having successful seasons that lead to conference and tournament titles, and ultimate berth in the coveted March Big Dance of the NCAA Tournament.Learn about the local historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) men’s and women’s teams and their prospects of the upcoming 2024-25 season.Howard University
MenThere are high expectations again with the Howard University men’s basketball program, which has established itself as one of the tops in the country. The Bison won their second straight tournament title and a trip to the NCAA for the second straight season, thus, it is no surprise that they are picked to win in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) again in the preseason poll. Much of the prospect comes from the return of Bryce Harris, voted the preseason MEAC Player of the Year. Harris had an outstanding season. The multi-talented senior averaged 16.6 points, 7.8 rebounds while shooting 58% from the field to rank among the nation’s leaders and was named first team all-conference. He also added 39 steals and 37 blocks for good measure.Senior guard Marcus Dockery also returns after coming off his best season. The 6-4 senior sharpshooting guard from Washington, D.C. was one of the top three-point shooters in the country, connecting on 41% from beyond the arc. The University of Maryland transfer averaged almost 14 points per game while recording a career-best 64 assists.
Others who figure to include in the success in one of the deepest teams at Howard in recent history include junior forward Dom Campbell (7.5 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game), highly touted graduate transfer Anwar Gill (LaSalle University) and freshman shooting guard Blake Harper, both graduates of local power Gonzaga College High School.The Bison are coached by former DeMatha and Duke standout Kenneth Blakeney, who is entering his fifth season at the helm. Howard opens the season on Nov. 4 when it travels to Lawrence, Kansas to take on nationally-ranked University of Kansas.Women
The Howard women’s team is also expected to do well, entering the season as the MEAC preseason co-favorite.The Bison are coming off a season when they lost 10 of their first 11 games but rebounded to win nine of their last 11 and advance to the tournament final before coming up short by five points in the tournament final against champion Norfolk State. The Bison did this without the services of their preseason Player of the Year, Destiny Howell, who injured her knee in the preseason and missed the entire season.
It is also important to note that Howell, one of the premier shooters in the country, averaged almost 17 points per game in 2022-23 and she returns this year along with a group of experienced players. Sophomore Tyana Walker, also an outstanding shooter, stepped up in Howell’s absence and picked up the slack, ranking among the conference leaders in three pointers (52 made), en route to being named the MEAC Rookie of the Year.It does not stop there. Graduate guard Kaiya Creek (Seat Pleasant, Maryland) had her best season in a Bison uniform, averaging a career-best eight points per contest, while recording a career-high 40 three pointers. Nile Miller, a junior forward, was arguably the best defensive player in the conference with her ability, rebound, block shots and record steals. Her numbers are 6.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 65 steals and 30 blocked shots.Sophomore forward Sa’lah Hemmingway and senior forwards Marissa Steel (three points per game, four rebounds per game) and Vanessa Blake ( 6.2 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game) give Howard a strong and solid front court. The Bison will have to replace floor general Iyanna Warren, but the coaching staff is very high on freshman point guard Saniya King (Bishop Ireton), who played for Bishop Irerton in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, the top girls’ basketball conference in the country.
The Howard women’s basketball team is coached by Ty Grace, who is in her ninth season. The Bison open the season on Nov. 4 at Florida A&M.Bowie State BulldogsMen The Bowie State Bulldogs (12-17, 6-11 in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association or CIAA) will be looking to improve on last season’s record. Sophomore guard Kevin Corley (Glenarden, Maryland) was named the CIAA Rookie of the Year after an outstanding season and should be a factor, with teamwork from other Bulldogs standouts.
Corley will get help from junior guard Warren Mouganda (Vincent Pallotti High School), who averaged 14.1 points and shot 49% from three-point line. The team is counting on senior guard Caleb Johnson to match last year’s outstanding stat line: 11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, team-high 112 assists. Senior guard Kyree Freeman-Davis (10.1 points per game) of Bowie, MD rounds out the top returnees.Bowie State is coached by Darrell Brooks, who enters his 15th season as the school’s all-time winning coach. Bowie State opens play when it takes on Clarion in the first round of the Bowie Tipoff Classic on November 8.Women The Bowie State women will also be looking to improve following last season (13-14, 7-9 in the CIAA). Much of the turnaround will depend on the talents of Clarksburg, Maryland native, junior guard Mia Smith (seven points per game, 2.3 rebounds per game, 32 steals). Seniors Saniha Jackson (five points per game, six rebounds per game) and Katera Myers (seven points, seven rebounds per game) are also expected to be key contributors along with some talented newcomers.The Bulldogs are coached by Shadere Swan who is in her ninth season. They open play on Nov. 4 at Hampton University.University of the District of Columbia FirebirdsMenThe University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Firebirds men’s team finished with a 10-16 overall record last year and 8-8 in the East Coast Conference (ECC). The Firebirds will be led by senior guards Tevin Curtis (12.0 points per game) and Vernon Simmons (10.4 points per game) along with sophomore guards Rejuan Craig (Severn, Maryland) and Mikhai Arnold (Upper Marlboro, Maryland)UDC is coached by former Cardozo and Georgetown standout Mike Riley who is entering his 11th season at the helm. The Firebirds open the season on Nov. 8 when they host Wilmington College.Women The UDC women’s team is coming off an outstanding season after making a strong run in the NCAA Division 2 tournament. The Firebirds finished 20-10, 12-5 in the ECC and are returning with some proven veterans. Senior guard forward Tori Williams leads the way with 12 points per game to go along with seven rebounds a contest. UDC boasts proven contributors in junior guards Nia Ford (7.6 points per game, four rebounds per game) and Laci Johnson (7.6 points per game) and forward Aiyanna Ellis (five points per game, seven rebounds per game).The Firebirds are coached by John Nakpedia, who is entering his seventh season and has posted back-to-back winning seasons at the upper Northwest school. UDC opens the season at Holy Family on Nov. 8.
Source: Washington Informer
