Hoops Preview Men’s, women’s teams to host UNC, UVa, in their home openers By Steve Daniel Add two exciting basketball programs and competitive home schedules to the sparkling new Ted Constant Convocation Center and you’ve got a recipe for an exciting hoops season in 2002-03. Coach Blaine Taylor’s Monarchs will face off against the University of North Carolina Nov. 24 in their home opener, while the Lady Monarchs host the always-strong Virginia Lady Cavaliers Nov. 22 for their first regular-season game. “It seems only fitting that the University of Virginia, one of our longest traditional rivals in ODU women’s basketball history, should help us open our new arena,” said Lady Monarchs coach Wendy Larry. Losing four senior starters from a team that went 28-6 and advanced to the Elite Eight last season might be reason enough to downplay expectations for the 2002-03 edition of the Lady Monarchs, but Larry is one who demands a lot from her team year in and year out. So don’t be surprised if this year’s squad picks up where last year’s team left off. Two returning redshirt players – 6-6 Corrina Turner and 2001 JUCO Player of the Year Max Nhassengo – will join six returning letter-winners, which could prove to be a potent mixture to opposing teams. Monique Coker, a 6-1 junior forward and the lone returning starter, averaged 9.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season and came on strong in the post-season. She made the CAA All-Tournament team and played a strong role in NCAA Tournament competition. Also back are Okeisha Howard and Shareese Grant, both graduates of Virginia Beach’s Princess Anne High School, who are expected to make solid contributions again. Howard averaged 12.1 points per game last year, while Grant added 5.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Among the newcomers are Cassie Calwell, a 6-4 JUCO transfer from Raleigh, N.C., and freshman guards Lawona Davis of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Shantel Wilson of Washington, D.C. Coach Taylor, who is starting only his second season at the Monarchs’ helm, is looking forward to playing in the new arena. “It’s an understatement to say we’re excited about the coming season,” he said. Taylor will have five players returning who started at different times last year, including senior leaders Ricardo Marsh and Rasheed Wright. Both forwards, Marsh and Wright averaged 15.3 and 14.1 points and 7.2 and 5.4 rebounds, respectively, last season. Marsh was a second-team All-CAA selection. Also back are Troy Nance, Kiah Thomas and John Waller, all of whom saw significant action last year. Eight Monarchs in all return from last season’s 13-16 squad, along with one redshirt, and they will be joined by four freshmen. Among the newcomers are 6-10 Janko Mrksic from Ontario, Canada, and 6-9 Alex Loughton of Perth, Australia. “We feel like we had a very sound recruiting class, and I think those kids are going to be fun for people to follow for years to come,” Taylor said. In addition to taking on the Tar Heels at home, the Monarchs will host Oliver Purnell’s Dayton Flyers Dec. 20.