Ram Ramblings: WSSU women's hoop team ready to go

Rams are hoping to improve on last year's record

By: John Dell | Winston-Salem Journal
Published: September 27, 2011 | 0 Comments | Post a Comment

Losing just one starter in center Vontisha Woods has coach Steve Joyner Jr. very encouraged about this women’s basketball season at WSSU.

But then again Joyner, who learned from his father, is always optimistic.

The Rams were 16-11 last season in Joyner’s first at WSSU. With four transfers and six freshmen added to his roster Joyner is hoping that the chemistry comes early.

The Rams also lost key reserve Rene Rector from last season.

“We have a tough schedule playing some Division I teams early,” Joyner said. “If we can get through that stretch and get into the CIAA would should be OK.”

The Rams will begin practice Oct. 15 and will play at Davidson on Nov. 5 in an exhibition game.

The core of the Rams, guard Courtney Medley, Taneisha White, Jasmine Newkirk and Jordhan Peterson, along with Taylar Wells gives Joyner plenty of experience.

If Medley is more consistent I think she has a chance to be player of the year in the conference. The senior transferred from Elon before last season and turned out to be a go-to scorer in crunch time.

Another bonus is Joyner and the Rams went through the CIAA for the first time last season so they should have a better idea of what they are up against.

“That’s true,” Joyner said. “I hope it helps us that we’ve seen everybody and have seen all the gyms in the conference.”

WSSU women’s basketball schedule

November 5 at Davidson (exhibition); 12 at UNC Asheville; 16 at Radford; 18 vs. Wingate (at J.C. Smith); 19 - vs. Tuskegee (at J.C. Smith); 22 Georgia College & State; 29 at Campbell; December 3 West Liberty; 10 at Virginia Union; 16 vs. Ohio Valley (at Bluefield State); 17 at Bluefield State; January 5 Virginia State; 7 Virginia Union; 9 Bowie State; 12 at Chowan; 14 at Elizabeth City State; 16 Lincoln; 21 at Fayetteville State; 28 at St. Aug's; 30 at Johnson C. Smith; February 4 at Livingstone; 6 St. Aug's; 11 Shaw; 13 Livingstone; 18 Johnson C. Smith; 20 at Shaw; 25 Fayetteville State; Feb. 27-March 3 CIAA Tournament (Charlotte)