Over the last five years, Howard and Norfolk State have loomed over the rest of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
It’s an annual ritual: on the second Saturday in March at the Scope Arena, fans watching Norfolk State and Howard compete for the league’s most coveted prize. Howard claimed the latest championship, adding another chapter to a rivalry that has become the conference’s signature attraction.
Since North Carolina A&T departed the MEAC in 2021, only Howard and Norfolk State have played for the conference tournament’s championship. They are favored in the MEAC preseason poll to meet for a sixth straight season.
But several MEAC programs believe they’re ready to elevate their status and disrupt the planned championship appointment.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), picked third in the preseason coaches’ poll, has already shown it can compete with the conference’s top brass, defeating both Howard and Norfolk State last season. Coppin State, picked fourth, has reached three consecutive MEAC semifinals and is eager to take the next step.
Meanwhile, Morgan State, North Carolina Central, Delaware State, and South Carolina State are each building their own identities. North Carolina Central and Delaware State have enthusiastic first-year coaches with bold plans, while Morgan State and South Carolina State have veteran coaches entering their second year. poised to do more than window shop.
Beyond Howard and Norfolk State, six ambitious and quality programs are excited to prove that luxury isn’t exclusive to two familiar brands.
Enjoy our 2026-07 MEAC season preview. You can read about all eight schools or skip to your favorite program.
Howard | Norfolk State | Maryland-Eastern Shore | Coppin State
Morgan State | North Carolina Central | Delaware State | South Carolina State
Howard
Preseason ranking: 1st
Percentage of minutes returning: 70%
Percentage of points returning: 62.9%
2025-26 record: 26-8 (13-1 MEAC). Postseason: lost to Ohio State in NCAA tournament
2025-26 MEAC rankings: 1st in offense, 66.6 points per game; 2nd in defense, 60.4 points allowed per game
The Howard women’s basketball program has a history of individual excellence. Back in the 1990s, they built an unforgettable dynasty by winning three consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) tournament championships from 1996-98.
The banners swaying in their home arena, the Burr, serve as lasting tributes to those championship squads. It was part of a stretch in which Howard won five MEAC regular season championships in six years, including three in a row. Those proud programs were inducted into the Howard Athletics Hall of Fame in mid-October.
More than a quarter-century later, a new generation of Bison is pursuing a similar standard of excellence. Under veteran head coach Ty Grace, Howard has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence, highlighted by two straight 20-win seasons, consecutive postseason appearances, two MEAC tournament championships in the last five years, an NCAA tournament victory over Incarnate Word in 2022, a WNIT victory, and several program-defining triumphs.
What’s also impressive about Howard’s 48 victories over the last two years is they have all come against Division I opponents. Howard is the rare mid-major program who does not schedule regular season games against non-Division I opponents.
As Howard enters the 2026-27 season as the MEAC preseason favorite, last season’s accomplishments are already etched onto this group’s impressive résumé: a program-record 26 victories, a No. 14 NCAA tournament seed, a final No. 22 ranking in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major poll, an undefeated home record, and a road win over a Power Four opponent.
Yet the Bison aren’t content to admire their accomplishments — they’re determined to keep raising the bar.
“They’re still hungry, wanting to do more and having no mercy,” head coach Grace told The IX Sports of her squad during MEAC media day. “That was one of the things that the team came up with. So, I’m just trying to stay on top of them in regard to that because I’m like, if you’re going to have no mercy, it got to be every day.
“You got to be relentless in practice. You got to be relentless in academics. You got to be relentless in everything you do. We’ve had a lot of different conversations, and I’m hard on them. … They embrace it, they accept it, and I told them I’m going to challenge them. They’re going to get challenged every day in life, and this is just part of what they should expect, especially playing at Howard.”
During Howard’s recent homecoming weekend, members of those championship teams met with current players, weaving together a tapestry of shared pride, championship tradition, and a powerful reminder of the legacy they represent.”
Grace said the former players told the current squad to enjoy the moments, emphasizing how many resources the current team has that previous generations of Bison did not. The expectation, though, is still to win.
“We definitely stand on their shoulders. So, I do want to be a part of that legacy. I do want to leave my stamp on Howard University and the women’s basketball program, and I’m just proud that I get to represent them.”
As Grace continues polishing Howard’s storied legacy, she’s navigating a different college basketball landscape from the one that produced those three consecutive MEAC tournament championships. There was no transfer portal, social media, or NIL considerations back then. Now, as Howard’s national profile continues to elevate, retaining talented players has become increasingly important to sustaining its success.
One reason Howard enters this season as the MEAC favorite is its continuity — and that includes Grace’s return. She was rumored to be up for many open jobs this past summer, but chose to stay at Howard. The administration rewarded Grace with a contract extension in August; Grace is now locked in at Howard until 2031.
The Bison return 11 players, including 2026 MEAC Rookie of the Year Ariella Henigan, a 5’6 sophomore guard, and All-MEAC First Team selection Zoe Stewart, a 5’9 senior guard.
For Stewart, Howard offers something that can’t be measured in statistics, championship banners, or endorsement deals.
“Howard basketball, I keep coming back to this term of just authenticity,” Stewart said. “I think that’s what it really is: everybody being themselves, being rewarded for being themselves, being Black and being great. I think a lot of people, especially in Division I sports, they get wrapped up in money and deals and different things like that. Being able to express myself here, be myself, and be around people who care about me was what I wanted. I don’t want to be anywhere else. Howard is home.”
Stewart and Henigan are the MEAC’s top two leading returning scorers. Last season, Stewart finished seventh overall in scoring (11.7 points per game), and Henigan was 13th (9.2). Named to the MEAC All-Tournament team, Henigan shined in her first NCAA appearance, posting her first career double-double (12 points and 10 rebounds) against Ohio State.
While Stewart and Henigan may be the headliners for Howard, the Bison backcourt is deep, versatile, and experienced. With a collection of brilliant guards, Grace has plenty of options: 6’1 sophomore guard Dylan Watson, 5’10 senior guard Destiny Bynum-Johnson, 5’9 sophomore guard Emma Nuquay, and 5’7 senior guard April Edwards.
Bynum-Johnson and Edwards, who averaged 5.2 points each, combined to make 53 3-pointers last season. Edwards led the team with 59 assists, four behind Henigan. Nuquay played in 31 games.
“When I recruit these young women, I recruit them for four years,” Grace said. “I understand the climate of women’s basketball now. I want these players to get what they deserve and what they want and what they’re looking for in life, and we just try to have those honest conversations as early as possible. We make decisions that are best for our program, and they make decisions that are best for themselves individually, and then we go from there. The honesty part is what has probably helped out a lot for us.”
Howard’s backcourt shines like diamonds, but the Bison’s championship ambitions will also depend on the strength and reliability of their frontcourt, led by returning veterans 6′ senior Sa’lah Hemingway, 6′ senior forward Dally Moreno, 5’11 sophomore forward Jada Kendrick, 6’1 senior forward Rayne Durant, and 6’3 sophomore forward Penelope Swarn.
They were role players last year. This year, Grace is excited to see them showcase their abilities with more offensive responsibility.
Hemingway was the glue that helped hold the Bison together last season. Starting 23 of 34 games, she supplied plenty of intangibles and scored the game-winning basket against Cincinnati. Hemingway, who has appeared in 98 games for Howard, averaged 3.3 points and 3.8 rebounds last season. Her longevity also speaks to Grace’s ability to retain and develop players.
Moreno and Durant are athletic jumping jacks who combined for 32 blocked shots last season. They are relentless rebounders and bring energy whenever they enter games. Kendrick had some big moments last season, including scoring eight points in 21 minutes in a win over Florida A&M.
Howard bolstered its frontcourt with transfers 6’1 junior forward Kearra Jones (Southeast Missouri State) and 6’4 senior center Saniya Jones (Charleston Southern). Both bring impressive credentials to a school affectionately known as “The Mecca.”
Kearra is a double-double threat. She has started 43 games across Mississippi Valley State and Southeast Missouri State. Last season at Southeast Missouri State, Kearra averaged 10.2 points and 5.3 rebounds. Saniya played 84 career games for Charleston Southern before not playing last season. She averaged 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds and was second in Big South in blocked shots during the 2024-25 season.
Freshmen Kennedy Deese, a 6′ forward, and Indiah Hutchinson, a 5’11 guard, add to a wave of promising talent eager to contribute to Howard’s continued success.
Some basketball programs collect talent. Howard has assembled a luxury showroom.
Howard’s championship aspirations depend on every piece working in harmony. The guards blend brilliance with blue-collar grit, the frontcourt brings muscle and relentless energy, and Grace and her staff provide the steady hands of leaders who understand the value of patience, trust, and consistency.
The Bison have all the ingredients for another special season. Now comes the challenge of turning that potential into something timeless.
After all, there’s the next generation to inspire.
Norfolk State
Preseason ranking: 2nd
Percentage of minutes returning: 28.3%
Percentage of points returning: 24.7%
2025-26 record: 18-15 (11-3 MEAC). Postseason: lost to Loyola (Chicago) in WNIT
2025-26 MEAC rankings: 2nd in offense, 63.4 points per game; 1st in defense, 58.1 points allowed per game
Norfolk State’s standard is a championship, and second-year head coach Jermaine Woods isn’t wavering from that goal. While many of the transcendent players who had Norfolk State among the nation’s elite and ruled the MEAC from its championship penthouse from 2023-25 have departed, Woods still has top-shelf talent.
Picked to finish second in the MEAC preseason poll, Norfolk State remains a desired destination for recruits, especially now that it just unveiled a new women’s basketball locker room. Even though the names on the backs of Norfolk State’s jerseys have changed, the quality remains.
“When you sign a scholarship with Norfolk State, you sign up for a championship,” Woods said during MEAC media day. “That’s it. It’s nothing else. Anything else is secondary, right? … Last year we fell a little short in our first year. Being part of Norfolk State is cutting the nets down. That’s it, man. So, when I signed my contract, I knew that, and when they sign the scholarship, they got to know that. We talk about the Spartan way. That’s in our locker room. We’re looking forward to a new start. … I think we got a great balance of young and seasoned talent.”
Headlining the Spartan returnees is 6′ senior guard Cire Worley, who enjoys vlogging. Worley will have plenty to share this season as she steps into a bigger role, especially after the Spartans lost nearly 60% of their scoring from last season. Worley is a strong two-way player with a sweet shooting touch.
Worley is the MEAC’s fourth leading returning scorer (7.4 points per game). She was seventh in the MEAC in 3-point field goal percentage (31.4%) and eighth in 3-pointers made per game (1.1).
Worley started 32 of 33 games last season. Worley also contributed 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game while leading the team at the free-throw line at 77.9%. She scored a season-high 15 points against Morgan State and recorded a double-double against South Carolina State. She is capable of dropping buckets, as she was Abington (Penn.) Senior High’s all-time leading scorer with 1,777 points.
Worley, along with 5’10 senior guard Niyah Gaston and 6’2 junior center LeAire Nicks are the face of the Spartan program this season, featured on the schedule poster. Gaston and Nicks are also familiar with Woods’ system and expectations. The pair played together at Coppin State during the 2024-25 season.
Gatson averaged 3.4 points and 1.1 rebounds in 30 games. She led Norfolk State in free-throw percentage (85.7%). She made an immediate impact on Park Avenue in her first year in the green-and-gold, ranking seventh all-time in Norfolk State Division I history in 3-point field goal percentage (35.8%).
Meanwhile, Nicks averaged 5.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 32 games. She scored in double figures in eight games and recorded one double-digit rebounding performance. Nicks had a career-high 18 points with seven rebounds at Maryland Eastern Shore.
Norfolk State (literally on Park Avenue) may not be New York’s Fifth Avenue, but Woods still stocked a premium assortment of transfers and freshmen.
Headlining Norfolk State’s seven transfers are five with previous Division I experience: 5’8 senior guard Sana’a Garrett (Hofstra), 6’1 junior guard Brooklyn Taylor (Sacramento State), 6’1 senior forward Clemisha Prackett (Indiana State), 5’9 graduate guard Ja’Cia Cunningham (Presbyterian), and 6′ senior forward Alexis Davis (Monmouth). Davis helped Monmouth advance to the second round of the WNIT, and Garrett helped Hofstra reach the CAA championship game.
Davis, named to the MEAC watch list, averaged 7.1 points and 6.1 rebounds in 31 games and posted three double-doubles. Before Monmouth, she spent two seasons at Buffalo, including a freshman year that ended in the MAC championship game.
Garrett will be playing for her third school after stops at Jacksonville and Hofstra. She appeared in 22 games, made one start, and averaged 2.7 points, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 rebounds per game. Garrett, from Philadelphia, gives the Spartans a strong ball-handler with a gritty mindset.
Cunningham, named to the FIU Thanksgiving Classic All-Tournament Team, is a proven scorer, finishing 14th in the Big South Conference (10.8 points per game). She also scored in double figures 15 times and had two games with 20 or more points.
Taylor has played in 62 career games. Last season, she made two starts and averaged 3.6 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Prackett, who played at Alabama A&M, Mississippi Valley State, and Indiana State, gives the Spartans another inside boost. She averaged 10.8 points and 7.9 rebounds in 31 games. Prackett scored in double digits 18 times and had 11 double-doubles.
More transfer firepower comes from 5’8 LaChelle Moreland-Jones (Lawrence Tech) and 5’10 junior guard Niylia Wilkins (Northwest Florida State).
Moreland-Jones, who played 47 games in her two-year career, averaged 14.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.6 assists per game last season. Wilkins averaged 9.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 28 games. She also averaged 11.1 points and 4.4 rebounds at Trinity Valley Community College during the 2024-25 season.
Woods also has an eye for new talent, adding 5’2 freshman guard Asia Keels, 6′ freshman guard Elise McClain, 5’7 freshman guard Jizelle James, and 6’3 freshman forward Dahni Suggs. He said he expects them all to see significant minutes this season. Jizelle’s older sister, Tiyanna, played at Morgan State last season.
Last season, Norfolk State was second nationally in field-goal percentage defense (33.8%), third in 3-point field goal defense (25.5%), 10th in steals (12.4) and 21st in blocked shots (5.0). Despite those stellar defensive numbers, Woods knew what area he needed to address during recruiting.
“We went out and got some rebounding, got some shooting as well,” Woods said. “Hopefully we take care of that glass. You know you can play defense, but you got to rebound to finish the defensive possession. So, we were very intentional about that in the recruiting process. That was the problem last year. I think we addressed it, but I’m looking forward to this team.”
Trends come and go. Pillars of the Spartan program — being a good person, good student, and good athlete — endure.
At Norfolk State, winning never goes out of style.
Like a tailored blazer, the Spartans’ roster offers structure, polish, and versatility. Reliable returnees blend with newcomers who bring elegance and flair, giving Woods designer drip to keep Norfolk State in the championship conversation.
Maryland-Eastern Shore
Preseason ranking: 3rd
Percentage of minutes returning: 43.4%
Percentage of points returning: 34.7%
2025-26 record: 20-15 (11-3 MEAC). Postseason: defeated Wake Forest and lost to Youngstown State in WNIT
2025-26 MEAC rankings: 4th in offense, 61.5 points per game; 3rd in defense, 62.1 points allowed per game
There’s plenty to celebrate at University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES): its 140th anniversary, recruitment for the inaugural class of its veterinary school — the first physically located in Maryland and the first at a public HBCU — and the return of several key players from last season’s historic women’s basketball campaign.
The Hawks welcome back five players from a squad that won a program-record 20 games, captured its first postseason victory in school history, and defeated a Power Four opponent on the road. The Hawks also finished tied for second in the MEAC and were the only team to solve Howard.
While much of that experience is gone, the Hawks still have a strong, talented nucleus to build on for another strong season, with a triptych of 6’1 sophomore forward Kaliya Perry, 5’4 guard Kalise Hill, and 5’6 sophomore guard Desi Taylor anchoring the lineup.
They delivered big moments, especially during UMES’ significant WNIT victory over Wake Forest.
Taylor scored 19 points and made five 3-pointers. Perry finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Hill dished 11 assists. That postseason success adds to their confidence as they enter this season.
Yet third-year UMES head coach Malikah Willis knows her Hawk program can’t live off last season’s glory.
The Hawks are eager to carve their own path even with Perry and Taylor, who each earned spots on the All-MEAC Rookie Team last season, blossoming into leaders.
“Our team is young,” Willis told the The IX Sports during MEAC media day. “It’s different for me to coach this team because I was blessed my first two years with seven seniors and seven seniors last year. This year we don’t have one. We have a four-year player, but she’s not a senior. So it’s it’s a gift and a curse with that level of youngness. Our returning players are showing leadership while teaching the standard and expectation to our newcomers.”
Perry is UMES’ leading returning scorer and rebounder, averaging 7.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, 14th in the MEAC. She played in 29 games with 13 starts, shooting 43.7%, and ranked fourth in the MEAC in blocked shots per game (1.0). She’s the conference’s leading returning shot blocker.
One of the conference’s most underrated point guards, Hill averaged 6.3 points, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game while starting 34 of 35 games last season. Hill plays with poise and precision. She ranked ninth in steals and 10th in assists in the MEAC last season.
Hill scored in double figures seven times, including a stretch in early January when she reached double digits in three consecutive games.
“We have a bunch of new pieces this year, and a bunch of new talent, so I’m excited to see how everything comes together and how well we play together,” Hill said. “Our coaches know what we need for us to win because winning is hard. So, for us, it’s buying in, working hard, trusting the process and the standard that they have for us.”
Taylor appeared in all 35 games during her freshman season and averaged 5.3 points per game. She led the MEAC in 3-point field goal percentage (38.5%) and ranked fourth in 3-pointers made per game (1.3). Taylor connected on a team-high 47 three-pointers.
Also returning for the Hawks this season are 5’7 junior guard Jaida Cameron and 5’9 sophomore guard Jailynn Clayton. Cameron played in 32 games, averaging 7.9 minutes. Clayton averaged 2.1 points over 18.3 minutes. She’s a defensive disruptor for the Hawks. Willis expects more from each player this season.
UMES welcomes a sizeable newcomer class this season, including several players with Division I experience. Willis added lots of height with 6’2 junior forward Tahj-Monet Bloom (Nevada), 6′ sophomore guard Mak Moore (Rutgers), 6’2 senior center Uzoamaka Angela Samuel (Southern Illinois), and 5’7 sophomore guard Chastity Wilson (Niagara).
Bloom, rated a four-star and No. 43 overall recruit in the class of 2024 by espnW HoopGurlz, is eager to showcase her skills. Last season at Nevada, Bloom played in 22 games and made one start. She tallied a career-high 11 points in the season opener against Cal State San Marcos. Bloom began her career at Mississippi State, where she redshirted due to a non-sport-related injury that sidelined her for the 2024-25 season.
Moore played 12 games and is excited to take on a larger role. She adds size and depth to the Hawks’ perimeter group. Samuel played 32 career games and brings additional collegiate experience and size to the frontcourt. She saw action in 13 games last and shot 42.9%.
Wilson averaged 8.5 points and 2.2 rebounds last season while starting 22 of the 26 games she appeared in. Wilson also led Niagara in assists with 47 and was second in steals with 40.
Freshmen Trista Whitney, Aliza Murray, Patience John and Marley Jeffers complete the Hawks’ lineup.
“My first year and second year, we were in the semis and we have to get past that that threshold,” Willis said. “It’s not good enough. What it is going to take is playing the whole 40 minutes. One through 13, you have to be ready to play when your number is called, but that’s the only way that we’re going to win championships when everybody’s on board and everybody is locked.”
As UMES celebrates 140 years, the Hawks hope to add another milestone to the festivities: their first appearance in the MEAC championship game. Willis has already raised expectations and guided the program to new heights in Princess Anne.
The faces have changed, but the desired destination hasn’t. With perimeter experience and added size inside, UMES has what it needs to take the next step from ‘its cool to advance to the MEAC semifinals’ to dancing in March.
Getting there means breaking through the Norfolk State–Howard roadblock that has kept the MEAC winner’s circle out of reach.
Coppin State
Preseason ranking: 4th
Percentage of minutes returning: 14.3%
Percentage of points returning: 11.1%
2025-26 record: 10-23 (6-8 MEAC)
2025-26 MEAC rankings: 5th in offense, 58.4 points per game; 5th in defense, 67.0 points allowed per game
During Coppin State’s media day, second-year head coach Darrell Mosley sat in a chair at center court in the Physical Education Complex with a cone resting on his head as his players took aim, trying to knock it off with a basketball.
While it was an exercise in trust, it also provided a portal into the type of energy Mosley likes to see from his program. For a team featuring just one senior, the scene offered another glimpse of the fun the youthful Eagles are having as they prepare for the upcoming season.
In his first year at Coppin State, Mosley rode the excellence of his backcourt into the MEAC semifinals for a third straight season. It was a significant feat considering he inherited one returning player when he was hired last April. The Eagles coalesced throughout the season and finished fourth in the regular season, which may have surprised some folks.
Mosley wanted more even though he finished behind the three programs who earned postseason berths.
Now, with a full recruiting cycle behind him, Mosley hopes to push the Eagles into the conference’s upper echelon. A reshaped roster offers opportunities for players to emerge as consistent scorers, make meaningful contributions and forge their own identities.
“We are extremely young,” Mosley told the The IX Sports. “Six freshmen wasn’t the goal or the the plan. We kind of sat around waiting on that fifth-year rule to go through, and so I kind of held two scholarships, waiting on that, and it didn’t go through. And so, we still need depth, we need bodies, and I ended up taking another two freshmen. So I have a young group and had some key transfers coming in that wanted a bigger role.”
Mosley said he is excited about the group. “We got a lot of work to do,” he added.
Coppin State returns one starter from last season in 6’ junior forward Shanaii Gamble, who was fourth in the MEAC in rebounding last season (7.2). Gamble averaged 6.3 points in 29 starts last season. A tenacious rebounder with quick feet and terrific instincts, Gamble led the conference in rebounding in the 14 conference MEAC games (8.5).
Gamble helped Coppin State finish second in the MEAC in rebounding margin (+1.1). Establishing a gritty work-ethic in the trenches, the Eagles led the MEAC in offensive rebounds per game (14.4). Gamble had 11 rebounds in back-to-back games against UMES and South Carolina in mid-January and scored in double digits eight times, with a season best 18-point performance against Penn State.
“The expectations is to be better than last year,” Gamble said. “We have a lot to prove and put Coppin on the map. We kind of did that last year, but I feel like this year is like it’s going to mean so much more because coach got he got the chance to choose who he wanted to come here. I’m just excited. I’m ready and our whole team is just built like dogs.”
Other returning players for Coppin State include 5’11 sophomore guard Kylie Wells and 5’11 sophomore guard Seimone Newton, one of Mosley’s first signees as head coach. Wells appeared in 18 games and made her first collegiate start against George Washington. Wells averaged 6.2 minutes per games and will be looking to play a bigger role this season. Newton was injured last season and is looking forward to making an impact.
Mosley used the transfer portal to add depth, but the biggest question remains: Who will emerge as the Eagles’ go-to scorer? Gamble was their fifth-leading scorer last season, and the incoming transfers had modest scoring averages at their previous schools. For a roster filled with players eager to show more, the available minutes and scoring opportunities add intrigue.
Among some of the Eagles top transfers expected to figure into the rotation are 5’11 junior guard Karen Nimo (Charlotte), 5’11 sophomore guard Delaney Cooper (Stony Brook), 6’ junior guard/forward Amber Howard (Buffalo), 5’8 sophomore guard Anya George (UMass), and 6’3 senior forward Samari Taylor (UAB)
Nimo averaged 2.2 points and 1.1 rebounds per game, starting just one of the 29 games she appeared in. Nimo scored 17 points in a game against Auburn. Cooper averaged 1.5 points in 17 games as Stony Brook advanced to the CAA semifinals.
Howard started five of the 23 games she appeared, averaging 3.0 points and 3.9 rebounds. She scored eight points with 11 rebounds and a steal against Northern Illinois. A Chester, Penn. native like Mosley, George averaged 1.2 points in 17 games; Taylor contributed 2.2 points across 13 contests.
Rounding out a young Eagles roster are six freshmen: 5’8 guard Jayleen Jones, 5’6 guard Bray’ana Miles, 5’8 guard Tariya Wright, 5’10 guard Heaven Reese, 6’2 forward Arly Zepata, and 6’ forward Ciani Scott.
The Eagles have already shown they can take aim at the cone atop their coach’s head. This season, they hope to bring that same confidence to a bigger target: climbing the MEAC standings.
Morgan State
Preseason ranking: 5th
Percentage of minutes returning: 17.4%
Percentage of points returning: 12.6%
2025-26 record: 5-26 (4-10 MEAC)
2025-26 MEAC rankings: 7th in offense, 54.7 points per game; 8th in defense, 71.6 points allowed per game
Morgan State is affectionately known as “The National Treasure,” a distinction reflecting the university’s rich history and architectural legacy. Founded in 1867, the Baltimore HBCU earned the designation from the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2016 and the campus features historic buildings designed by prominent Black architects.
The women’s basketball program also has a gem of their own in 5’5 senior guard Mihjae Hayes, a high-caliber talent who delivers a dazzling package of electricity and elusiveness.
After laying the foundation last season under head coach Nadine Domond, Morgan State hopes to take another step forward in her second year. Hayes will help guide that effort, entrusted with one of basketball’s most demanding jobs: setting the pace, creating opportunities, and knowing when to take matters into her own hands.
Hayes is one of three returning players for the Bears this season who endured a challenging five-win campaign on Cold Spring Lane last season. With Hayes leading the way, Morgan State is confident that this season will be different and that they can compete for the MEAC’s crown jewel in mid-March. Hayes will be playing her second year at Morgan State after transferring from Virginia State last season.
Now, with a year of Division I hoops under her belt, Hayes should improve on her 5.7 points-per-game average. She appeared in all 31 of Morgan State’s games last year and tying for second in the MEAC in assists per game (3.5). She led the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.1). She was also 18th in steals per game (1.5).
Hayes can transform a routine possession into a highlight. Against Mount St. Mary’s, she crossed up a defender, left her wobbling and sank a midrange jumper. Against Norfolk State, she finished a spinning layup with her back to the basket while drawing a foul.
Those moments energized the crowd and attracted attention on the Bears’ social media platforms. This season, Morgan State needs her flair and playmaking to help produce something more lasting: consistent success.
“I feel really good about the group of girls that we have this season,” Hayes told The IX Sports. “I really feel good about our chemistry on and off the court. I feel good about our defense specifically. Our rotations, everything has just been coming together well. I feel like we’re going to do major things this season.”
Also returning for Morgan State are 5’8 senior guard Dakota Alston and 5’11 guard/forward Kamari Forrest.
Alston averaged 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in 21 games. She made five starts for the Bears last season, scoring a season-high nine points in a win over South Carolina State and playing a season-high 28 minutes against UMES.
Forest didn’t play last season after joining the Bears program from Kilgore College, where she averaged 5.8 points in 2024-25. She also played her freshman year at Detroit, seeing action in 14 games during 2023-24.
“Our motto this year is ‘Be More’ at Morgan,” Domond told The IX Sports during MEAC media day. “Last year was a great transition year for us of learning, adapting and adjusting. And this year we got 12 new players and three returners. Everybody’s growing and learning together. Our ultimate goal is to take care of business. I’m big on ‘let our action speak,’ so that’s what’s wonderful about this year.”
Domond added 10 transfers to her roster this season, bringing different basketball backgrounds to a shared task: giving Hayes more help and the Bears more ways to win. Morgan State was seventh in the MEAC in offense and last in defense last season.
Morgan State has brought in a collection of guards who can create and score, along with frontcourt additions who will have opportunities to establish themselves around the basket. They arrive from different programs and levels of college basketball, bringing experience, ambition, and a chance to make their mark.
Players with previous Division I experience include 5’9 junior guard Yonta Vaughn (Virginia), 5’9 sophomore guard Janaya Meyers (North Carolina A&T), 6′ sophomore guard Kenya Ramsey (UMBC), and 6’2 senior center Merritt Innocent (University of New Haven).
Vaughn played 26 games at Virginia between 2023 and 2025. She averaged 7.4 points in nine games during the 2024-25 campaign. Meyers averaged 2.9 points and 1.4 rebounds last season. Ramsey, who didn’t play last season, appeared in 14 games in 2024-25.
Innocent, from Nigeria, has played 47 career games at New Haven. Last season, she averaged 4.6 points in 12.9 minutes over 28 games. A native of Phoenix and ranked as the No. 9 player in the state of Arizona, highly touted freshman shooting guard Alexiz Graise redshirted last season at Fresno State.
Others arrive from Division II and junior college programs, bringing experience to an opportunity to shine on a bigger stage.
Additional transfers for the Bears are 5’6 sophomore guard Chardae Rumph (Valdosta State), 5’9 junior guard Simran Williams (Saly Lake Community College), 6’2 junior forward Kazharia Johnson (Northwest Florida State College) and 6’1 senior forward Mercy Lasu (D’Youville University).
Rumph averaged 6.9 points in 29 games. As a starter in 19 games, Rumph led the team with 31 3-pointers. Williams played two years at Salt Lake Community College and started 37 of 55 games. She averaged 7.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season. Johnson played 54 games and averaged 8.4 points per game on 57.9% shooting, plus 5.6 rebounds.
Lasu brings experience, with 77 collegiate contests at Division II institutions D’Youville and Lewis College. Last season, Lasu averaged 5.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in 30 games.
Providing energy to the Bears this season and expected to compete for minutes will be 5’9 freshman guard Dru Carlton and 5’11 freshman guard Jahzara Leamon. Carlton played AAU for Team Durant and has emerged as a vocal leader.
The Bears began building chemistry on a summer trip to the Bahamas, getting to know one another before the season’s demands. Morgan State’s history is filled with people who seized an opportunity and left their mark. With Hayes leading the way, this group hopes to write its own basketball chapter.
North Carolina Central
Preseason ranking: 6th
Percentage of minutes returning: 35.1%
Percentage of points returning: 28.9%
2025-26 record: 9-20 (5-9 MEAC)
2025-26 MEAC rankings: 3rd in offense, 62.3 points per game; 6th in defense, 68.8 points allowed per game
North Carolina Central is a place “where purpose takes flight.” Its upcoming strategic plan, “Soaring to New Heights,” outlines a vision rooted in growth, impact, and excellence. First-year women’s basketball head coach Olivia Gaines hopes to translate those pillars to the hardwood.
A relationship-first coach, Gaines brings a winning touch, a grinding mentality, and firsthand knowledge of what it takes to build something lasting. As a player under legendary South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, she helped lay the groundwork in the early 2010s for a program that would become a national powerhouse.
Now, with seven returnees and eight newcomers, Gaines has a chance to build a culture of her own.
Gaines, who arrived from Allen University, knows it won’t be easy, but she’s excited about the chance to bring her standards of success. She inherits some quality players eager for bigger opportunities and more responsibility, especially after the Eagles lost five of last season’s top six scorers.
This season is a blank slate as the players adjust to Gaines’ expectations. She is discovering how their individual strengths can fit together and shape the Eagles’ identity.
“It’s just been exciting because I look at back at the first day in the summer when we started and where we were and where we are now,” Gaines told the The IX Sports. “It’s totally different. We’re improving and they’re working hard. I am also establishing the culture right now. The first year is also about building relationships. So that’s really important. I’m looking forward to the season for sure.”
The Eagles’ top returning player will be 5’8 senior guard Aysia Hinton, who ranked second in the conference in 3-pointers made (57) and 3-pointers per game (2.0). Hinton made 12 3-pointers on Feb. 3 against William Peace University, an NCAA Division I single-game high and a program record. With 96 career 3-pointers, Hinton was also sixth in the MEAC in three-point field goal percentage (32.4%).
Hinton started 10 of 29 games last season, averaging 6.5 points. She scored in double digits six times last season. Hinton also had eight games last season in which she made at least three 3-pointers.
Other experienced returnees for the Eagles include 6′ junior forward Dianna Blake and 5′9 junior guard Victoria Morris.
Blake started 18 of 29 games and averaged 3.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game. She was ninth in the MEAC in blocked shots per game (0.6) and led the Eagles in blocks (17). Blake posted her only double-double (12 points and 10 rebounds) in a Feb. 3 win over William Peace. Morris started 14 of the 25 games she appeared in and averaged 2.6 points. She scored 10 points, grabbed eight rebounds and handing out three assists against CAA champion College of Charleston.
For Morris, remaining with the Eagles following the coaching change wasn’t simply about familiarity or loyalty. It was about doing her homework, listening to people she trusted and believing in Gaines’ vision.
“She was a familiar face, and she knew a lot of my previous coaches,” Morris said during MEAC media day. “They all talked good about her, and I did a lot of research on her. Everywhere she went, she made the team that she was coaching, better. So just seeing that, knowing that she’s coming in, hopefully do the same for us made me buy in all the way. Hearing coaches that I 100% trust, saying she’s a good coach, made me feel good about her coaching and put a lot of confidence in me with her.”
Shakiria Foster, a 5’8 junior guard, played in the Eagles’ first 15 games before suffering a season-ending injury. Named to the 2025 Preseason All-MEAC team, Foster averaged 3.8 points in 13.3 minutes. Foster is expected to play a bigger role this season alongside 5’6 sophomore guard Kendall Alexander, 6′ sophomore guard Aaliyah Grant, and 5’7 sophomore guard Amaya Harris.
Grant averaged 1.8 points in 12 games. She earned MEAC Rookie of the Week honors after totaling six points, two rebounds, and one steal against High Point. Harris averaged 2.8 points in 29 games. She scored a season-high 12 points against Coppin State.
Before Gaines was hired, the Eagles already had five signees, leaving room for her to add three players.
One of those players Gaines added is 5’6 junior guard Eboni Clay, whom she coached at Allen for the last two years. She brings a solid building block to the Eagle program. Earning All-SIAC Second Team honors last season, Clay emerged as one of Allen’s most dependable guards, averaging 10.8 points per game. In addition to scoring in double figures in 18 games, Clay made 35 3-pointers and shot 32.1% from beyond the arc.
Clay has already made an impression.
“It has been tremendously fun playing with Eboni,” Morris said. “She’s a great teammate on and off the court. She’s a fun player to play with. Just overall, she’s a quick player, fast player, tough player, and those are the type of players that I love playing with.”
Last season at Community College of Baltimore County Essex, 6′ junior guard Ariel Walker averaged 9.1 points and 7.5 rebounds in 32 games. Walker scored in double figures 14 times. She also played 29 games for Monroe Junior College during the 2024-25 season, averaging 5.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. She gives the Eagles another versatile player who can play both ends of the floor and multiple positions.
Gaines also added height in 6’3 junior Shrouq Amer, who averaged 3.0 points and 2.1 rebounds per game at South Plains College. Amer played 46 career contests in two seasons at South Plains.
Complementing those experienced additions are five freshmen: 5’4 guard Keileen Thompson-Edwards, 5’7 guard Rayana Minard, 6’1 forward Chloe Crawford, 5’4 guard Kenadi Banks, and 5’5 guard Brianna Carelock.
How quickly the returnees and newcomers adapt to Gaines — and to one another — will help determine the Eagles’ progress in her first season.
North Carolina Central’s proud legacy spans academics, research, and opportunity. Gaines hopes to give the Eagles another source of pride on the basketball court. She helped South Carolina take flight. Now, she’s eager to help NCCU spread its wings.
Delaware State
Preseason ranking: 7th
Percentage of minutes returning: 19.9%
Percentage of points returning: 25.6%
2025-26 record: 7-23 (4-10 MEAC)
2025-26 MEAC rankings: 6th in offense, 55.2 points per game; 4th in defense, 64.3 points allowed per game
With a renowned aviation program that prepares students to soar beyond conventional boundaries, Delaware State University embraces a bold mission building “breakthrough leaders of tomorrow — one student at a time.”
First-year women’s basketball head coach Khadijah Rushdan faces her own sobering reality. Delaware State hasn’t enjoyed a winning season since 2007-08, and it hasn’t won more than eight games in any of the past six seasons. Since Ed Davis left the program as the all-time winningest coach with 178 victories in 2012, the Hornets have cycled through five coaches in 13 years, combining for 90 wins.
But that history hasn’t clouded her vision to help the Hornets take flight and break into the MEAC’s upper echelon. A Delaware basketball legend returning to her home state, Rushdan understands the significance of the challenge before her. She’s determined to establish a winning culture and guide the Hornets toward a brighter future.
For Rushdan, the opportunity is about more than changing Delaware State’s record. It’s about changing the program’s reality.
“I think the bigger picture is how can we get better,” Rushdan told The IX Sports during MEAC media day. “How do we put ourselves in a position where we are establishing habits that are going to allow us to have that type of success?”
Rushdan said the team has lots of different personalities and experiences, and said matching those strengths up is “like a puzzle.”
“I think the important piece is that everybody understands how important their role is in some way, shape, or form,” Rushdan said. “… But we got some pieces of that I’m very excited about.”
Rushdan has a solid foundation to start shifting that perception in 5’3 sophomore guard Amya Scott, who was named to the All-MEAC Rookie Team last season. One of the conference’s quickest and craftiest guards, Scott averaged 8.5 points and 1.6 rebounds per game. Scott scored in double digits 15 times last season and hit for a career-high 21 points against the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Scott had 33 steals and established herself as a playmaker on both ends of the floor.
The Hornets should get a boost at some point from the return of 6′ guard Mahogany Cottingham, who is in the late stages of recovering from a season-ending ACL injury. Cottingham is the heartbeat of the Hornet program, and in eight games last season, she averaged 10.9 points per game. Cottingham is an elite shooter who can score in traffic — she scored a season-high 18 points against American.
Also returning for Delaware State are 6’1 sophomore forward Anise Geiger and 5’8 senior guard Channing Williams. They saw limited action last season but will be expected to contribute more. Geiger played in 22 games and averaged 3.8 rebounds and 3.0 points per game; Williams appeared in 14 games.
Scott and Geiger have winning in their DNA, having led their respective Philadelphia high school programs to success in the city and statewide. That familiarity with success is no coincidence. It’s a common thread running through Rushdan’s recruiting class.
“Part of every single conversation that I had with every single young lady that was either a returner or one that I brought in, and I told them very, very straightforward in the sense of you know one of two things can happen when you have a situation like me where there hasn’t been much success,” Rushdan said.
She added: “You can run from it, right, or you can run straight towards it, right. And to be a part of essentially a building process takes a different mentality, right? We were very intentional about making sure that we brought winners in some way, shape, or form that wasn’t going to run from the toughness or the hard that was going to come with being able to build a strong foundation.”
With a variety of players headed to Dover who can score, rebound, and defend, Rushdan believes she has the perfect formula to make some noise.
Three of the players were on championship teams last season: Jaida Helm (Harcum Junior College), Maya McCorkle (East Tennessee State), and Autumn Simon (Langston). They’ve experienced the joy of confetti falling, trophies being hoisted and nets being clipped. They bring something to Delaware State that isn’t on a stat sheet: an understanding of what it takes to win.
Helm averaged 10.2 points in 29 games for Harcum Junior College, which posted a 28-2 record. McCorkle played five games at ETSU, which won the SoCon regular season crown.
Simon played 51 games over two years and this will be her third program after playing at Queens during the 2024-25 season and Langston last year.
“We have an opportunity to set precedent here for what coach’s era is going to look like,” McCorkle said. “We trust her vision, we trust the process. … Coach is very big on communication. For us, having discipline with the small things, the talking, the rotations, being able to accept constructive criticism, and making sure that we’re getting better each and every day is going to be key. I am looking forward to everything that’s coming this season.”
Rushdan also added two walking buckets: 5’7 junior guard Skye Pepp (Baker) and 5’9 junior guard Jadea Johnson (Moraine Valley). Both arrive with a demonstrated ability to score. Pepp averaged 14.3 points in 17 games. Pepp also played in 10 games at Loyola, New Orleans, during the 2024-25 season.
Unfortunately, fans will have to wait until next season to see Johnson, who averaged 20.3 points in 36 games, because Rushdan shared she suffered a season-ending injury. She scored at least 20 points 22 times last season.
Also bringing familiarity to the Hornet program are former Monroe Community College teammates 5’9 junior guard Skylah Kemp and 6′ junior guard Enyiah Stinett. Kemp averaged 7.4 points and 3.6 rebounds. Stinett, who also played six games for Auburn-Montgomery during the 2024-25 campaign, averaged 4.4 points and 6.0 rebounds last season at Monroe.
Another experienced player, 5’10 senior guard Dallas Pierce, is eager to help Delaware State. She has played 69 games across UMass and Siena. Pierce totaled 41 points and 31 rebounds in 25 appearances last season.
The road won’t be easy in a rugged MEAC, especially for a program seeking to escape nearly two decades of frustration. Yet with championship experience, explosive scorers, and returning talent, Delaware State has reason to believe better days are ahead.
In Delaware’s state capital, Rushdan isn’t allowing the Hornets’ past to dictate their future. She’s challenging them to find a new reality, one victory at a time.
South Carolina State
Preseason ranking: 8th
Percentage of minutes returning: 33.1%
Percentage of points returning: 27.3%
2025-26 record: 5-25 (2-12 MEAC)
2025-26 MEAC rankings: 8th in offense, 54.2 points per game; 7th in defense, 70.5 points allowed per game
Orangeburg is a city where history and progress share the same address.
The Garden City is home to South Carolina State University, an institution whose proud legacy stretches back to 1896. Today, hard hats, heavy machinery and ambitious blueprints are familiar sights across its historic campus. With millions being invested in new buildings, renovated facilities and expanded student spaces, the university is undergoing a transformation that honors its past while embracing its future.
Second-year head coach Cedric Baker is also overseeing his own construction project. With eight returnees and an intriguing mix of newcomers, Baker is laying the foundation for a South Carolina State women’s basketball program determined to climb the MEAC standings.
“I’m excited about the group just being very resilient,” Baker told The IX Sports during MEAC media day. “Last year we had some season-ending injuries, but those young ladies have gone through the rehabilitation process. … I just commend them for being very resilient. You need that from a young group of people who are willing to embrace adversity and turn it into something positive.”
The Bulldogs’ returning top scorers are 6’4 senior center Heaven Harper and 5’11 senior forward Monajah Ford. They were central to the Bulldogs’ games last season. A force around the basket with a nice finishing touch, Harper averaged 4.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, second on the team. She played in 30 games and started 23. She scored in double figures three times.
Ford started 16 of her 29 games last season. In addition to averaging 4.0 points, Ford had 33 steals, third on the Bulldogs. She was 25th in the conference in steals per game (1.1). Her defensive tenacity helped South Carolina State finish second in steals per game (10.7). She finished the season strong by scoring in double digits in four of her last six games. Ford scored a season-best 16 points against UMES.
Also returning to provide experience for the Bulldogs are 5’10 junior guard Mya Giles, 5’10 junior forward Kimora Smith, 5’7 senior guard Ariana Simmons, 6′ sophomore forward Terrannya Medlock, and 6’3 senior Ja’Silyah Holmes. Alexica Murphy was on the roster last season but didn’t play.
Giles saw action in 18 games and averaged 2.8 points. Smith played in 28 games, averaging 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds. Medlock and Simmons appeared in 13 games each. Each player is expected to play a bigger role for the Bulldogs this season, as they averaged under 10 minutes. Holmes was another towering post presence. She played in 14 games and averaged a shade under two points. Holmes led South Carolina State with 19 blocked shots.
Baker added 5’10 junior guard Trinity Butler (Wabash Valley), 6’3 junior center Samiah Puckett (Alabama State), 5’6 junior guard Paula Carvalho (Clarendon College), 6′ graduate student K’lya Hankerson (Savannah State), and 5’8 junior guard Adena Webster (Monmouth) to his roster.
Butler, who started her career at Queens College, averaged 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds. Carvalho helped her team advance to the NJCAA Division I national semifinals.
Baker was already familiar with Puckett and Hankerson. Last season at Alabama State, Puckett started against South Carolina State and scored six points. She played in 14 games overall for Alabama State. Meanwhile, Hankerson reunited with Baker, who coached her two years ago, and she started 10 of 16 games during the 2024-25 season. Hankerson showed a glimpse of her scoring ability, dropping a career-high 33 points against Benedict. Hankerson averaged 10.8 points and 6.6 rebounds at Savannah State.
Webster appeared in five games for Monmouth after playing freshman year at Temple. Webster was part of Monmouth’s 21-win squad that advanced to the second round of the WNIT.
“The history of the program is the history,” Baker said. “The way I measure success, to be honest with you, is stability. What you do off the court is going to be a direct correlation. What happens on the court, so it’s important to me that I get kids, who are committed to the campus, who wants to be at South Carolina State, and being able to matriculate from their freshman year, sophomore year, junior year, senior year.”
At South Carolina State, last season’s 2-1 start in MEAC play offered a tantalizing glimpse of what was possible before injuries changed the campaign’s trajectory. Now, with returning experience, added size, and several promising newcomers, Baker believes the Bulldogs can make life uncomfortable for their conference opponents.
The Bulldogs have endured their share of growing pains. Now, they’re eager to enjoy the rewards of that growth by building consistent habits and turning last season’s early promise into sustained success. The Bulldogs aren’t dwelling on where they’ve been. They’re focused on how far they can go.
