The Pride’s Women’s team did not have the most promising 2017-18 campaign, unfortunately, finishing 5-13 in the CAA and an overall record of 11-19. In the upcoming season, there is plenty of room for success but they may run into some issues along the way.
Head Coach, Krista Kilburn-Steveskey, has landed four valuable recruits as well in Bri Crutchfield, JaKayla Brown, Caria Reynolds, and Vanerlie Valcourt. My first day of college, I got the opportunity to play against these girls in our Fitness Center and they’re no joke. Great ball-handlers, shooters, rebounders, and the list goes on. Their resumes are mind-boggling and impressive whether it be statistics, championships won, or honors they’ve been awarded. Point being, these are girls who will, at some point, be producing for Hofstra University steadily.
The Pride are ecstatic to bring back leading scorer from last season, Boogie Brozoski. The senior guard posted 13 points per game alongside 3.6 rebounds. In her final season, she hopes to lead this team to nothing but victory.
Where may issues occur though? Definitely in the paint. Key losses in forward Ashunae Durant and guard Aleana Leon will leave the Pride begging for rebounds as Durant and Leon combined for about 15 rebounds per game in the previous season. The next leading rebounder is a 6’1 forward from Finland, Marianne Kalin with 5.7 per game. She will be heavily counted on to control the boards and help fill the shoes of the graduated players, Durant and Leon.
Along with rebounding, the ability to shoot the 3 ball will decrease as guard Olivia Askin graduated as well. Askin had made twice as many 3-pointers as the next best shooter, Boogie Brozoski. Oliva Askin made 71 3-pointers while shooting about 38% from long range, which is very good. Boogie Brozoski is going to have enough to handle, therefore, someone else is going to have to step up from deep whether it be an incoming freshman or an inexperienced upperclassmen. Without the presence of a 3-point shooter, teams become much easier to defend because a coaches focal point is solely based on the interior of the paint rather than multiple components of the game.
Ultimately, there is great potential for Coach Kilburn-Steveskey’s team for the future due to the newly recruited freshman and young players. Although, they’re incoming resume does not look all that promising from a scoring aspect, but let’s see how Coach and Brozoski carry their team for what we hope to be an exciting season!
Hofstra University Basketball 