St. John's University Athletics
Friday, November 9
New Rochelle, N.Y. (Hynes Athletic Center)
5:30 P.M.
St. John's University
at
Iona
Photo by: Generic
St. John’s Opens Season at Iona on Friday Evening
11/8/2018 3:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Gaels and the Johnnies will tip off at 5:30 p.m.
The St. John's women's basketball team will tip off the 45th season in its storied history on Friday night, when the Johnnies travel to New Rochelle for a showdown with Iona at 5:30 p.m. inside Hynes Center.
Friday's contest between the Red Storm and the Gaels will be live streamed on ESPN3 with Austin Stellato and Ian Sacks on the call.
St. John's sports an exciting mixture of experienced returnees and skilled first-year players on the hardwood this season, including Preseason BIG EAST Freshman of the year Kadaja Bailey. The 6-foot guard will enter her rookie campaign following a stellar high school career at St. Mary's in Manhasset, N.Y. A four-star recruit, the Long Beach native reached the 2,000 point mark to set a program record for her high school.
Head coach Joe Tartamella, coming off his sixth postseason berth in as many tries, returns six players from last year's team that finished 19-15, including reigning BIG EAST Freshman of the Year Qadashah Hoppie. The Staten Island native had a breakout rookie season, pacing the league's freshman class with 10.1 points per game. The Johnnies also welcome back unanimous BIG EAST All-Rookie Team selection Tiana England, who led the squad with 5.0 assists per contest, good enough for third in the conference.
Akina Wellere enters her senior season as the team's top returning scorer after averaging 10.5 points per contest last year. The Chicago native will look to repeat the magic of her freshman campaign which saw the Red Storm capture the 2016 BIG EAST Championship title for the first time since 1988, to earn a berth to the NCAA tournament.
The Red Storm also welcomes back juniors Alisha Kebbe and Shamachya Duncan as well as sophomore Kayla Charles. Kebbe is one of three returning starters for the Red Storm. The Philadelphia native was a key asset on both sides of the ball last season, finishing second on the team in rebounds, with 5.0 per game. Duncan has grown significantly from her freshman year. The pinnacle moment of her career came when the Staten Island native put up a career-high 11 points in the fourth quarter against Providence. Charles enters the upcoming campaign with a year of experience under her belt. The Far Rockaway native is coming off a rookie season during which she recorded at least 10 rebounds twice and paced the Red Storm in boards on four different occasions.
This season, two additional newcomers will make their debuts for St. John's as transfers Curteeona Brelove and Jasmine Sina are both expected to play key roles for the Red Storm. Brelove brings versatility and experience to the Red Storm program after playing three seasons for VCU. During her 2016-17 season Brelove appeared in 29 games, averaging 8.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest. A three-year contributor at Bighamton, Sina averaged 9.8 points over 92 games for the Bearcats.
Iona is led by sixth-year head coach Billi Chambers, who owns an 84-75 record at the university. The Gaels enter play with Red Storm after falling to Hofstra, 74-49, in the team's season opener.
Following its contest with Iona, the Red Storm will continue its season opening five-game road stretch next Friday with a trip to West Point, N.Y. to take on Army at Christl Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Friday's contest between the Red Storm and the Gaels will be live streamed on ESPN3 with Austin Stellato and Ian Sacks on the call.
St. John's sports an exciting mixture of experienced returnees and skilled first-year players on the hardwood this season, including Preseason BIG EAST Freshman of the year Kadaja Bailey. The 6-foot guard will enter her rookie campaign following a stellar high school career at St. Mary's in Manhasset, N.Y. A four-star recruit, the Long Beach native reached the 2,000 point mark to set a program record for her high school.
Head coach Joe Tartamella, coming off his sixth postseason berth in as many tries, returns six players from last year's team that finished 19-15, including reigning BIG EAST Freshman of the Year Qadashah Hoppie. The Staten Island native had a breakout rookie season, pacing the league's freshman class with 10.1 points per game. The Johnnies also welcome back unanimous BIG EAST All-Rookie Team selection Tiana England, who led the squad with 5.0 assists per contest, good enough for third in the conference.
Akina Wellere enters her senior season as the team's top returning scorer after averaging 10.5 points per contest last year. The Chicago native will look to repeat the magic of her freshman campaign which saw the Red Storm capture the 2016 BIG EAST Championship title for the first time since 1988, to earn a berth to the NCAA tournament.
The Red Storm also welcomes back juniors Alisha Kebbe and Shamachya Duncan as well as sophomore Kayla Charles. Kebbe is one of three returning starters for the Red Storm. The Philadelphia native was a key asset on both sides of the ball last season, finishing second on the team in rebounds, with 5.0 per game. Duncan has grown significantly from her freshman year. The pinnacle moment of her career came when the Staten Island native put up a career-high 11 points in the fourth quarter against Providence. Charles enters the upcoming campaign with a year of experience under her belt. The Far Rockaway native is coming off a rookie season during which she recorded at least 10 rebounds twice and paced the Red Storm in boards on four different occasions.
This season, two additional newcomers will make their debuts for St. John's as transfers Curteeona Brelove and Jasmine Sina are both expected to play key roles for the Red Storm. Brelove brings versatility and experience to the Red Storm program after playing three seasons for VCU. During her 2016-17 season Brelove appeared in 29 games, averaging 8.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest. A three-year contributor at Bighamton, Sina averaged 9.8 points over 92 games for the Bearcats.
Iona is led by sixth-year head coach Billi Chambers, who owns an 84-75 record at the university. The Gaels enter play with Red Storm after falling to Hofstra, 74-49, in the team's season opener.
Following its contest with Iona, the Red Storm will continue its season opening five-game road stretch next Friday with a trip to West Point, N.Y. to take on Army at Christl Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard/Forward
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