LAST SEASON
The Cobras went 8-18 (5-15 SAC) during the 2017-18 season, going 5-7 at home. Their first regular season game was a 71-66 win at Belmont Abbey, followed by a victory in their home opener over Fayetteville State 56-51. The Navy and Gold swept their season meetings with Mars Hill and Queens, splitting with Belmont Abbey and Newberry, and defeating Fayetteville St. and Southern Wesleyan in their lone matchups.
Individually, four Cobras garnered awards during the season. Janea Williams earned SAC Player of the Week on Feb. 5, SAC Statistical Champion in blocks per game at 2.8, and Coker Female Newcomer Award at the 2018 FANG Awards. Caitland Considine was selected to WBCA/Alliance of Women “So You Want To Be A Coach” program. Hannah Stull was named to the SAC All-Freshman Team. Sydney Shull won the Heart & Soul Award at the FANG Awards.
Williams scored the second-highest points during the season with 246 and made 102 field goals on a 48.6 percentage. She nearly averageda double-double with 9.8 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per game. Williamson scored 30 points in a winning effort over Queens (N.C.) in January alongside 13 rebounds. She reached double figures in scoring in 14 games and rebounds in 11.
2018 SEASON OUTLOOK
The Cobras return a solid group with eight returners, while also adding 12 newcomers that are ready to compete for immediate playing time. Of the eight returners, seven saw action in at least 20 games and six of those featured in the startle five at some point during the season. Coker will also return its leading scorer from last season, Haley Kropp, who averaged 11.2 points per contest and also an All-Freshman team selection in Hannah Stull.
The Navy and Gold will open up the season on Wednesday (Nov. 5) with an exhibition matchup with Furman in Greenville, S.C. When asked about the matchup, Coach Shannon Johnson stated, "we are excited to have the opportunity to play Furman in an exhibition game. Coach Carson and her staff have put together a competitive team and we are grateful for the opportunity to open up our season against them." Following their showdown with Furman, the Coker women will travel to Belmont, North Carolina on Nov. 9-10 to take on Belmont Abbey and King University.
The Cobras will hit the road again for a pair of out-of-conference games at Erskine on Monday, Nov. 12 and Fayetteville State Wednesday, Nov. 14.
After five straight road contests, the Cobras will open up play in the friendly confines of the Harris E. and Louise H. DeLoach Center for a non-conference game versus the Bulldogs of Barton College. "We are thrilled about our non-conference schedule," Johnson said. "We feel like it will prepare us to compete in the South Atlantic Conference this season."
South Atlantic Conference action kicks off on Nov. 28, as Wingate will travel to Hartsville to take on the Cobras. Additional home South Atlantic Conference dates include Carson-Newman (Dec. 15), Anderson (S.C.) (Jan. 5), Lenoir-Rhyne (Jan. 16), Lincoln Memorial (Jan. 26), Mars Hill (Feb. 2), Queens (N.C.) (Feb. 6), Catawba (Feb. 13), Tusculum (Feb. 23), and Newberry (Feb. 27).
Fans will be able to catch all Coker home games live by visiting www.cokercobras.com.
"I’m looking for us to be extremely competitive in every game this season. We have some returners that are ready to make their mark in our conference and some young athletic newcomers that are ready to prove themselves. I’m really excited about the noise these newcomers will make over the next 4 years here at Coker and the upside that they bring to the court is very promising." - Head coach Shannon Johnson
IMPACT PLAYERS
The sophomore from Newton, North Carolina is back in the navy and gold following an impressive freshman campaign last season. Stull appeared in 26 games and started 17 times during the while averaging 5.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. She scored a career-high 10 points, six rebounds, and six assists in the Cobras victory over Mars Hill (Dec. 18). Following the season, Stull was selected to the South Atlantic Conference All-Freshman Team.
Kropp was impressive during her inaugural campaign at Coker. She appeared in 26 games and started 17 times, while averaging a team-high 11.2 points per game with 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists. Kropp scored a season-high 26 points against Carson-Newman (Dec. 9th) and scored 22 points while draining five three-pointers in the Cobras victory over Queens (Dec. 18). She finished the season ranked 18th in the South Atlantic Conference in points per game (11.2) and 10th in three-pointers made (48).
Houser, a junior forward out of Orangeburg, South Carolina, is heading into her second season in the navy and gold after transferring from North Carolina Central University. She appeared in 25 games, while starting 16 times during the 2017-18 season. For the season, Houser posted averages of 9.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game and scored in double figures 13 times. She scored 15 points and added 15 rebounds in the Cobras victory over Mars Hill (Feb. 3rd) and scored a season-high 17 points against Mars Hill (Dec. 16) and against Tusculum (Feb. 10).
Jackson looks to take her game to another level after improving in her second season with the Cobras. She appeared in 25 games during, while shooting 46.2% from three-point range and averaging 6.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per contest. Jackson scored a career-high 27 points while hitting 5 of 5 three-pointers against Anderson S.C. (Jan. 13). During the season, managed to score in double-digts on eight occasions.