Women's Basketball 11/8/2013 8:41:00 AM

HIGHLANDERS OPEN McGUIRE ERA AGAINST EMORY & HENRY

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RADFORD, Va. – Two women's basketball programs separated by just over 80 miles will meet on the Dedmon Center hardwood Saturday as Radford and Emory & Henry will battle in Mike McGuire's first regular season game as head coach of the Highlanders.

MEET THE WASPS
» Emory & Henry returns its top 11 scorers from last season's 7-18 squad. The Wasps' seven wins are more than the previous two seasons combined.
» Karina Farr (10.5) and Kristie Langley (10.2) averaged double-figure scoring in 2012-13.
» Farr is also the top returning rebounder after hauling in 9.8 boards a contest last season.
» Emory & Henry scored 61.8 points per game and gave up 70.9 points per game.
» The Wasps connected on 35.5 percent of their shots, including a 32.4 percent mark from downtown. E&H finished 2012-13 averaging 40.2 rebounds per game.

E&H SERIES AT A GLANCE
» Radford and Emory & Henry played 11 times between 1972 and 1980 with the Highlanders winning each one. The two sides have not met since then.
» The Wasps are playing Saturday's game as an exhibition.

SEASON OUTLOOK
» The Highlanders feature seven returners off a squad that finished 16-14 overall and 9-9 in Big South play. Radford earned the sixth seed for the 2013 VisitMyrtleBeach.com Big South Women's Basketball Championship and advanced to the semifinals for the second straight season.
» Last week, the league held its annual Media Day where RU was predicted to finish eighth in the team standings. "The preseason prediction is fair for us," head coach Mike McGuire expressed. "With us graduating six seniors and four starters from last year's team, there is tremendous opportunity for this year's team to prove themselves. We are going to focus on what we need to do to improve on a daily basis. I'm anxious to watch this team grow and see where we are in February and March."
» Before they get to that part of the season, the Highlanders have to endure a grueling nonconference schedule, in addition to a six-game road swing in November. After Radford opens its regular season with two home contests, the squad hits the road for the next three weeks. During this span, the Highlanders travel to Norfolk State, Old Dominion, Wake Forest, Clemson, Campbell and Liberty. Later in December, RU welcomes Appalachian State and Virginia Tech to the Dedmon Center. "Our nonconference schedule is challenging and allows us to compete against ACC programs Wake Forest, Clemson and Virginia Tech, in addition to tradition-rich Old Dominion," McGuire pointed out.
» For the second straight year, the season culminates with the VisitMyrtleBeach.com Big South Women's Basketball Championship at The HTC Center on the campus of Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C. The tournament begins March 4 with the winner earning the league's automatic bid to the 2014 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship. "It should be an exciting and competitive season in the Big South," McGuire said. "Several schools graduated key players from last season. It will be interesting to see how many young players in the league will make an impact on their programs and our conference right away."

GUARDS
» As in past seasons, the bulk of the scoring will have to come from the guard position. Ayana Avery, who may be one of the most underrated players in the Big South, is the Highlanders' top returning scorer at 7.7 points per game. The junior reached double-figure scoring 12 times in 2012-13, including a season-high 18 at Marshall in the squad's season opener.
» Another standout in the backcourt will be Aisha Foy, who was a two-time Big South Freshman of the Week last season. The Virginia Beach, Va. native erupted for a season-high 16 points against William & Mary, and followed that performance with 13 points against Norfolk State five days later. Foy concluded the season by shooting 30.8 percent from downtown.
» Breshara Gordon brings the most experience to the table as Radford's lone senior. The Norfolk, Va. native has played in 62 games, including 16 starts. Gordon charted a career-high 15 points against Southern Illinois in the Miami Thanksgiving Tournament last year.
» High school teammates Kermisha Clark and De'June Robinson continued their journey together into the college ranks as the two newcomers look to make a big splash in their first season with the Highlanders. The duo led Highland Springs to a third-place finish in the 2012 VHSL Group AAA State Championship and was selected to play in the all-star game at the end of the academic year.

WINGS
» Kiera McIvor has emerged as the leader at the wing position. The junior has played in 55 games and has connected on 31.6 percent of her field-goal attempts.
» Freshman Paris Brower will add depth in this spot. She was named Tri-Rivers District Player of the Year and was a second-team all-region honoree in her final season with Appomattox Regional Governor's School. Brower was also selected to the high school all-star game.

POSTS
» Jordynn Gaymon and Rachael Ross will have to carry the load at this position. In addition to averaging 5.3 points per game a season ago, Gaymon is the Highlanders' top returning rebounder at 4.5 each time out. The junior tallied a team-best 44 blocks last season as well.
» Ross did not see action in 2012-13 due to nagging injuries from high school, but will strive to be a force in the paint to compliment Gaymon. Ross guided Waubonsie to two conference championships and two regional championships.

NEW LEADER
» Radford University officials introduced McGuire on Wednesday, April 24 as the Highlanders' seventh NCAA head women's basketball coach in program history.
» McGuire spent the last five seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Richmond where he helped lead the Spiders to five straight postseason berths and a 101-60 overall record. For the second consecutive season in 2012-13, Florida Basketball Magazine named McGuire one of the top assistant coaches in the nation, and at the conclusion of the 2011-12 season, National Basketball Insider recognized him as one of the Top-14 Mid-Major assistant coaches in the country.
» The Spiders posted three 20-win seasons during his tenure, including an appearance in the Atlantic 10 Tournament championship game in 2009.
» Prior to his move to Richmond, McGuire led Hidden Valley High School (Roanoke, Va.) to back-to-back Virginia High School League (VHSL) Group AA state basketball titles in 2007 and 2008. He posted a 55-5 overall record while leading the Titans.
» In those two seasons, McGuire twice earned VHSL Group AA State Coach of the Year, Regional Coach of the Year, and River Ridge District Coach of the Year honors.
» Previous to his four years at Hidden Valley, McGuire served as the head coach at his alma mater, William Byrd High School (Vinton, Va.). During his tenure, he compiled a 50-47 overall record and led the Terriers to their first regional postseason berth in seven years. In six years as a head coach at the high school level, McGuire accumulated a 105-52 record.
» In addition to a new role as head coach, McGuire was charged with hiring his coaching staff. Throughout the second half of April, McGuire conducted numerous interview before selecting Fran Recchia, Brett Self, Britney Anderson and Abby Oliver to join him at Radford. "Our staff is excited about preparing our team for the 2013-14 season," McGuire expressed. "We want the Radford campus community, the Radford student body and the New River Valley community to know how much we look forward to working together this season and beyond!"

LAST TIME OUT
» Behind three players in double-figure scoring and 47.3 percent shooting, the Radford women's basketball team defeated Bluefield, 70-56, Saturday afternoon in an exhibition contest inside the Dedmon Center.
» Avery paced all players, offensively, with 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting. Clark showed no signs of rookie jitters as the freshman charted 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting to accompany her team-high eight rebounds. Foy tallied 11 points in addition to a game-high five assists and three steals.
» Despite battling early foul trouble, Ross nearly reached double-figure scoring with nine, connecting on 4-of-6 of her attempts. She also contributed three blocks. McIvor and Robinson combined for eight of the Highlanders' 15 steals in the contest.
» RU converted 28 giveaways into a 29-15 advantage in points off turnovers. The Highlanders also had a 14-4 favor on the fast break.
» Much like last season's meeting, Bluefield seized early momentum as the visitors gained an 8-3 lead at the 17:24 mark. The Highlanders showed resiliency to chip away at their deficit. Ross' deuce with 15:24 to go in the opening stanza propelled Radford on top for the first time at 11-10.
» After Janee Simmons converted a layup to reclaim the edge at 12-11, the Highlanders embarked on a 9-0 rally to create separation. Radford's lead never dwindled lower than six the rest of the half as the hosts snatched a 38-26 advantage at the break.
» Out of halftime, RU continued to pull away as Avery's layup at the 13:46 mark expanded the Highlanders' lead to 16 (50-34). After Ross nailed a free throw to give Radford its largest lead at 66-48, the Rams reeled off six straight points to trim the gap to 12 with 3:54 to go. The Highlanders' defense put a halt to the rally by forcing three turnovers down the stretch to seal the victory.

UP NEXT
» The Highlanders face their second straight Old Dominion Athletic Conference foe when Lynchburg College invades the New River Valley for a 7 p.m. tip Tuesday, Nov. 12. The game will mark the final time Radford plays at the Dedmon Center until Dec. 16 against Appalachian State.

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