Posted: Nov 07, 2018
BOSTON – Suffolk women's basketball's 2018-19 season debut – a 1 p.m. tip-off against Western New England in Regan Gymnasium -- is just days away. GoSuffolkRams.com has given Ram Nation a quick glimpse at five hot topics to watch for in the 36th edition of Suffolk's women's hoops.
- MILESTONE MOMENTS
Since NCAA Division III women's basketball began in 1982 nearly half a million individuals took on the role as head coach. Of that 486,723 all-time DIII head coaches only 61 have remained in the profession for 25 or more seasons. Furthermore, when you breakdown those 61, just 54 have put together a 25-year career at the same institution. Suffolk women's basketball head coach Ed Leyden joins the elite this year when he claims his place on the Rams' sideline for his 25th campaign.
Leyden is one of five active DIII head coaches to return to same bench for the 25th year in 2018-19 with Suffolk's tenured coached joined by Colby Sawyer's George Martin, Eastern Connecticut State's Denise Bielry, St. Scholastica's Stacey Deadriek and Worcester State's Karen Tessmer.
With the five new additions, 40 active DIII head coaches in 2018-19 have been at the helm of a program for 25 or more seasons with 87.5 percent (35-40) staying with the same program for those years.
In the GNAC there will be four women's head coaches with 25 or more years of experience with the same program in George Martin of Colby Sawyer, Leyden of Suffolk, Andy Yosnioff of Emmanuel and Michael McDevitt of Saint Joseph's (Maine).
Leyden's 25th season at Suffolk can be a memorable one as the head coach is five wins shy of his overall 400th and 16 away from his 400th victory when guiding the Rams.
- DOMINANT DICECCO
Jenni-Rose DiCecco is coming off one of the most predominant freshman seasons in program history and looks to make more damage as a sophomore.
The 2017-18 GNAC Rookie of the Year set a record mark for GNAC Rookie of the Week accolades with eight honors. The honors, which also include the first-ever Ram to be selected to the NEWBA All-Rookie Team, came on the heels of a season where the Falmouth, Massachusetts, local posted 14.6 ppg and 3.8 apg, while playing 35.5 minutes per game.
Her 408 points came off a 38.4 connection rate from the floor, 32.5 percentage from three-point range and 72.7 percent accuracy from the free throw line.
- TRACKING HACKETT
Alexis Hackett made her name known on both ends of the hardwood a year ago with 13 double-doubles to finish the year averaging 11.4 ppg and 11.0 rpg. The third-team All-GNAC honoree pulled down a league-high 8.6 defensive rebounds per game, while her 11.0 rpg sat third amongst her conference counterparts and sits tied for sixth in Suffolk's single season annals.
The Charlton, Massachusetts, local is on the cusps of recording her name in the Rams record book as her 441 career caroms are 213 shy of the all-time list. Offensively, she is 480 points away from the coveted 1,000.
- NAPLES NOTES
Suffolk women's basketball will take its talents outside of the northeast on a team trip to the Sunshine State over the holiday break when it ventures to the Naples, Florida.
The Rams' four-day trip features two games at the Naples Shootout when they will face Tufts Saturday, Dec. 29 and St. Mary's the following day, Sunday, Dec. 30.
- HOW TO FOLLOW SUFFOLK WOMEN'S BASKETBALL IN 2018-19
Family, fans and friends of Suffolk men's basketball can follow all of the action via the Athletic Department's website, GoSuffolkRams.com. Even game will be previewed and recapped with in-game live stats and video offered for every home event.
Members of Ram Nation are also encouraged to stay up-to-date on the Rams' official social media sites, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and use the official hashtag #RamNation for an insider's look at Suffolk's team and student-athletes.
For a more in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at Suffolk men's basketball, fans can follow the Rams on Instagram and Twitter @SuffolkMBB.