City of Basketball Love

Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue)
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(Ed. Note: This article is part of our 2022-23 preseason coverage, which will run for the six weeks preceding the first official games of the year on Nov. 9. To access all of our high school and college preview content for this season click here)
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The Drexel women’s basketball team has reached four straight CAA tournament championship games (winning in 2020-21) and finished third or higher in the league regular-season standings in each of the past four seasons, including first or tied for first twice.

In order to maintain that level of success, the Dragons have to replace four starters and a whole lot of production from last year's group that posted the best record in program history (28-6) and finished atop the CAA’s regular-season mark with a 16-2 mark.

The rest of the conference doesn’t seem too concerned with the Dragons’ ability to keep things rolling last season.

They were picked first in the CAA preseason poll, which was announced Thursday during the CAA’s Women’s Basketball Media Day.

“We talk about being in that position and I think it is based on our returnees and people we have coming back, but I still think it’s based on the respect people have for our program,” Drexel coach Amy Mallon said. “That to me is the former players who helped build that foundation. I’m very honored to be in that position, but at the same time we know that puts a target on our back, and it’s just a reminder to our staff and to our team that we have a lot of work to do.”

The Dragons earned 10 of the league’s 13 first-place votes, finishing with 142 points ahead of College of Charleston (125), new league-member Stony Brook (108), Elon (103) and Towson (99). 

A big reason is their lone returning starter, graduate guard Keishana Washington. Washington earned first team All-CAA honors last season when she averaged 19.2 ppg and 2.6 apg. The conference honored her as the CAA Preseason Player of the Year on Thursday.

“It’s definitely a big motivation to continue improving and doing what I can do on the court,” Washington said. “But I think it’s just more important for me to be that leader for our team and help us stay at the top. 

“Player of the Year, that’s a big testament to the work that I’ve done throughout the years and I thank my teammates for trusting me to do what I do and obviously my coaching staff. I’ve worked especially close with Amy and (assistant coach) Stacy (Weiss) and they push me to be the best that I can be.”

Mallon said earlier this preseason that Washington’s 2021-22 season was CAA Player of the Year-worthy. She’s excited about her guard’s preseason recognition and even more excited to have her back for another year.

“It’s been such a joy to coach her,” Mallon said. “I would say I’m lucky to have another year with Keishana, and I think maybe a lot of coaches would say that. But I think watching her grow as a leader on the floor (is the part of her game that’s improved over the years). We knew the skillset was there, and she’s obviously very talented. You talk about players being gamers, and she’s had some unbelievable performances. … Watching her grow as a leader and sometimes that responsibility can weigh you down a little bit, but I think she’s continued to get stronger with that weight. … I think she understands that for us to be successful, it will be through her.”

Washington’s classmate Maura ‘Furm’ Hendrixson (3.4 ppg, 3.4 apg, 3.3 rpg) came off the bench in 25 of 28 appearances last season, but was essentially a sixth starter for the Dragons in 2021-22 and started 18 games in 2020-21.

Junior forward Jasmine Valentine (2.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg) is the only other returner, who averaged more than 10 minutes per game a season ago. Senior forward Hetta Saatman, senior forward Brianne Borcky and senior guard Tori Hyduke had reserve roles last season and were mentioned by Mallon as players expected to step up this season.

Freshman guard Grace O’Neill (Archbishop Carroll) and freshman forward Kylie Lavelle are two others who have been highlighted throughout the preseason.

Even without a lot of proven commodities on the roster, the Dragons and others once again have high expectations for Drexel in 2022-23.

“I think heading into the season I’m very excited,” Washington said. “It’s my last year, you know. Last year, best year. As far as for myself, I think I’ve stepped into a leadership position. Losing a lot of pieces that we had last year and having a little bit more inexperience, I've really had to step up and lead my team and show them things they might not know and help them out in that way.”

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Colonial Athletic Association WBB Preseason Poll

1. Drexel (10 first-place votes, 142)
2. Charleston (1, 125)
3. Stony Brook (108)
4. Elon (103)
5. Towson (2, 99)
6. Delaware (92)
7. William & Mary (81)
8. Northeastern (70)
9. North Carolina A&T (58)
T10. Hampton (43)
T10. Monmouth (43)
12. UNCW (28)
13. Hofstra (22)

CAA Preseason Player of the Year 
Keishana Washington, Gr., G, Drexel

Preseason All-CAA First Team
Jenna Annecchiarico, Sr., G, Charleston
Riley Casey, Gr., G, William & Mary
Anissa Rivera, Sr., G/F, Towson
Sydney Wagner, Gr., G, William & Mary
Keishana Washington, Gr., G, Drexel

Preseason All-CAA Second Team
Jazmin Harris, Gr., C, North Carolina A&T
Kylie Kornegay-Lucas, R-Jr., C, Towson
Evonna McGill, Gr., C, Elon
Nylah Young, Jr., F, Hampton
Annie Warren, Gr., G, Stony Brook

Preseason All-CAA Honorable Mention
Gigi Gonzalez, G, Stony Brook
Carrie Gross, G, UNCW
Anika McGarity, G/F, Charleston
Gemima Motema, G, Northeastern
Rosi Nicholson, G, Hofstra