Nov. 14, 2013
BALTIMORE, MD - Head coach Nancy Funk is back to lead the Blue Jays in her 28th season at the helm of the Johns Hopkins women's basketball team. This year's squad includes a core of experience in addition to some fresh faces ready to make their debut for the Jays. After finishing 16-11 last season and advancing to the conference semifinals, Funk and the rest of this year's team have raised expectations for the 2013-14 campaign.
"The [NCAA Tournament] is our goal," said Funk. "We'd like to go deeper than we have in years past…but you have to take it step by step. At the same time, I don't want them to dream small, I want them to dream big. Several of [our players] have some really huge goals here for this team and I think that they believe, and that's half the battle."
Last season Hopkins finished as one of the top defensive teams in the Centennial Conference, finishing first in blocks per game (4.9) and third in defensive rebounds per game (29.1). This year's squad returns players that combined to start in 83 games last season, and was picked to finish fourth (121 points) in the preseason conference poll. After starting off 2-5 last season in the month of November, Funk recognizes the growth and maturity she has seen from this year's team.
"They believe that we're going to start out better and that we will be better," said Funk. "I think they're basing it on this sophomore class having a year under their belt they're going to contribute right away. When they get healthy I'm expecting the sophomore class to be big contributors to sort of balance what the juniors can give us."
In addition to a tough Centennial schedule, the Blue Jays have some marquee non-conference matchups in store, including a road trip to play preseason-No. 13 Emory on January 4. On November 30 Hopkins will face 2012-13 NCAA participant Messiah in Grantlam, PA and right after the New Year, the Jays will welcome Eastern Mennonite University to Goldfarb Gym.
Guards
Senior captain Fatu Conteh returns as one of the team's most experienced players, averaging 4.2 points per game and finishing first on the team in steals (60) and assists (62) last season. Known for her great defense and ball-handling ability, Funk anticipates even further development from Conteh this year.
"I really think from what I've seen from her in practice this year, she's really turned it up a notch," said Funk "I expect Fatu to surprise a lot of people, because a lot of people thought she was a one-dimensional player. She is learning how to create something by utilizing her quickness and her ball handling skills… I'm expecting big things from Fatu this year."
Fellow captain Alyssa Fleming is back for Hopkins after missing 21 games due to injury last year. Averaging 4.3 points and 3.7 rebounds before being lost for the season in 2012-13, she has shown great ability on both sides on the floor throughout her career.
Sophomore Liz Tommasi emerged as one of the conference's most promising young players last season, and returns as the second leading scorer (9.2 PPG) from last year's squad. A 2012-13 Honorable-Mention All-Centennial Conference selection, Tommasi will be tasked with running the point and playing swing for the Blue Jays again this season. Described by Funk as "a talented player who sees the floor really well" Tommasi uses her high basketball IQ to facilitate the Blue Jay offense.
Junior Stacy Fairey returns as the top scorer from last year's team, averaging 9.4 points with a .330 field goal percentage. The Johns Island, SC native started every game last season for the Blue Jays, and is described by Funk as "One of the purest shooters I've ever coached."
Steph Binder, Scarlett McCracken, Jessica Brown and Katie Clark will provide solid depth in the guard rotation.
 Ssenior Fatu Conteh will open up opportunities for teammates in 2013-14 with her ability to drive to basket |
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Forwards
With Alex Vassilla, KaraLea Follmer and Sarah Higbee all graduating last season, Hopkins will have a new look up front in 2013-14.
Junior center Ciara McCullagh will be in line to earn minutes early on this season after leading the team in field goal percentage (.473) and averaging 4.4 points per game a year ago. Funk believes McCullagh will step into a larger role for the Jays after coming off the bench in relief for last season's senior starters.
After missing all of last year due to injury, Funk is eager for junior Haley Bush to return to the forward rotation this year. Bush appeared in all 29 games as a freshman, averaging 4.8 points and 4.17 rebounds per game coming off the bench.
Junior Maggie Fruehan and sophomore Beatriz Williams will also be factors in this group, after the pair combined to average 6.3 points and 6.1 rebounds last season. Williams' versatility as a forward/guard will involve her a multiple different offensive and defensive schemes for the Blue Jays.
Newcomers
Three freshmen and one sophomore will join the ranks for Hopkins this season, and Funk believes all four have potential to make an impact this year. Freshman Rachel Cook (Concord, NC/Jay M Robinson) has impressed Funk earlier on, and could turn into a considerable threat underneath and in the post.
"Rachel comes in with a lot of versatility," said Funk. "For a 6-3 girl she has range, but she's not going to just step out there to get a shot. She's smart about playing around the basket, and uses her body well. So I'd say she's going to be a very nice addition to the rotation."
Caroline Corcoran (Lincroft, NJ/Red Bank Catolic) will provide solid depth at three-guard spot, described by Funk as "a fundamentally sound player with a really high basketball IQ."
Freshman Janay Smith (Richland, NJ/Buena Regional) will use her size and ability to run the floor to contribute as a reserve forward.
After working with the team's practice squad last season, sophomore guard Danielle Brown (Medham, NJ/Morris Catholic) will make her collegiate debut for Hopkins this year. Funk likes the energy and ball-handling skills Brown brings to the table, and believes she could find herself in the point guard mix this season.
The women of Johns Hopkins basketball will tip off the season Saturday, November 16 vs. Salisbury as the hosts of the Mike Durgala Memorial Tournament. After the first day's games, Hopkins will go on to play either Illinois Wesleyan or Washington & Jefferson when the tournament wraps up on Sunday.
