coast guard women's basketball preview 2017-18

coast guard women's basketball preview 2017-18 The Coast Guard women’s basketball team heads into the 2017-18 season with a deep roster that will look to the leadership of their upper-class and the athleticism of their underclass to make a deep run in the NEWMAC Tournament for the sixth straight year.

Entering her sixth season is head coach Alex Ivansheck who has amassed 75 wins in her first five seasons. Ivansheck is assisted by Jessica Farley, Scott Hawk and Bill Reagan.

The Bears return 10 players from last year’s team that won eight of their final nine regular season games earning a trip to the NEWMAC quarterfinals.

Leading Coast Guard this season will be senior Gillian Gerton who has started 49 games in her career averaging 10.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. She is on pace to become the 10th player in school history with 1,000 points and has the most blocks in program history (102).

“Gil has really developed over the past three years,” said Ivansheck. “I think this is going to be a year where she takes control and leads the team. She has been working with teammates on and off the court and has an even, composed presence.”

Senior Jill Bray will join Gerton in the senior leadership role. She has started 51 games in her career and averaged a career high 31.8 minutes per game last season.

“Jill has been fantastic through preseason,” commented Ivansheck. “She is shooting the ball well and played well in our scrimmages. Like Gil, she has been a strong leader on the court and is always looking out for her teammates.”

Amanda Klawinski will also be an experienced option for the Bears coming off a season that saw her appear in a career high 20 games.

(L) Micaela Martinelli, (C) Johanna Moolenaar and (R) Jayla Joyner

In the junior class, Micaela Martinelli, Johanna Moolenaar and Jayla Joyner have combined to play in 120 games for Coast Guard and will be solid options for the Bears on both ends of the court.

“Johanna and Micaela have made huge strides. Johanna picked up her play at the end of last season and has continued that growth,” added Ivansheck. “Micaela gives us size at the guard position. She is creative with her scoring and her unorthodox style makes her difficult to defend.”

“Jayla returns to full strength for her junior season and has played well during preseason,” continued Ivansheck. “She is seeing the floor well and is making good decisions with the basketball.”

Sophomores Breanna Wood, Laura Irish and Zoe Riis-Fallica will benefit from big minutes as freshmen and will continue to improve in their second year.

“I am excited to see what they look like come game time,” said Ivansheck.

The amount of minutes they played as freshmen has given them a solid foundation...

and has prepared them for their sophomore season.”

Coast Guard brings in four freshmen, Annabella Farabaugh, Rachel Everson, Meghan O’Brien and Brenna Farrington, who immediately lengthen the Bears bench and bring an immediate athletic boost to the team.

“We are able to play at a different pace this season than ever before,” said Ivansheck. “This year, top to bottom, one through thirteen, is the most competitive roster that we have had since I have been at the Academy.”

With a balanced roster and a number of options, the team is ready to attack their difficult schedule with non-conference games against Catholic, Fisher, Johnson & Wales and Trinity along with their always difficult NEWMAC schedule.

“We play in a quality conference and it is important that we go into each game with the proper mind set and never take a night off.”

The Bears look determined to have a successful year and open their 2017-18 campaign tonight on the road against UMass-Boston. Opening tip is 5:30.

2017-18 Schedule

2017-18 Roster

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