Lanpher Named to Preseason All-NEC Basketball Team; CCSU Tabbed Ninth in Preseason Poll
On Tuesday, the Northeast Conference released its Preseason Coaches' Poll and Preseason All-NEC Team during its broadcast of Media Day for women's basketball. The Blue Devils were tabbed as the poll's ninth team, and Belle Lanpher was named to the Preseason All-NEC Team.
On Tuesday, the Northeast Conference released its Preseason Coaches' Poll and Preseason All-NEC Team during its broadcast of Media Day for women's basketball. The Blue Devils were tabbed as the poll's ninth team, and Belle Lanpher was named to the Preseason All-NEC Team.
COACHES POLL FULL RELEASE FROM NEC
NEC BASKETBALL SOCIAL MEDIA DAY PHOTO ALBUM
Sacred Heart was the unanimous number one pick in the poll, receiving 9 first-place votes. Merrimack earned the second-place spot, followed by Wagner to round out the top 3. FDU was placed fourth, followed by Stonehill, LIU, and St. Francis. LeMoyne and CCSU, took the eighth, and ninth spots, respectively.
CCSU will have two starters from last season, Belle Lanpher and Meghan Kenefick, returning to the court this year. Lanpher was named to the 2022-23 Preseason All-NEC Women's Basketball Team and finished the 2022-23 season ranked in the top ten in the NEC in two statistical categories: first in free throw percentage (.850) and seventh in scoring (13.6 points per game). Lanpher played in 24 games with 18 starts and averaged 13.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Had a career-high of 30 points against Saint Francis Brooklyn (2/2), making her the first Blue Devils since 2020 to score 30 points in a single game. Went 68-80 at the FT line this season & 163-198 for her career, 82.3% (3rd in program history).
The Blue Devils return seven players (Lamphere, Williams, Kenefick, Bruen, Pizzitola, Pearson, Sentance) and welcome three newcomers. Alonna Sellers and Samora Watson transferred to CCSU to play for Coach Way and make an impact on this new Blue Devil squad. Sellers is a sophomore from Hampton, VA, she spent two seasons at UNC Asheville and appeared in 29 games for the Bulldogs as a freshman. Watson is a sophomore guard who appeared in four games at East Carolina University, including the NCAA Tournament game against Texas. Kayla Henry is the loan freshman, a 6-0 forward from East Hartford, CT to round out the Blue Devils 10-women roster.
Head coach Way Veney will be at the helm for CCSU in her first year. Veney was named the Central Connecticut women's basketball head coach on April 23, 2023. She has made seven postseason trips as an assistant coach and brings nearly 20 years of coaching experience to CCSU.
2023-24 NEC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Sacred Heart (unanimous)
2. Merrimack
3. Wagner
4. FDU
5. Stonehill
6. LIU
7. Saint Francis U
8. Le Moyne
9. CCSU
2023-24 Preseason All-NEC Women's Basketball Team
Sajada Bonner, SHU, Gr, G, Cliffwood, NJ/St. John Vianney (Quinnipiac)
Jayme DeCesare, MC, Gr, G, Johnston, RI/La Salle Academy
Belle Lanpher, CCSU, Sr, G, Princeton, MA/Wachusett Regional
Ny'Ceara Pryor, SHU, So, G, Baltimore, MD/Western
Kaylee Thomas, MC, Gr, G, North Chelmsford, MA/Central Catholic
