Thursday, October 30, 2008

11 Days of A-Sun Basketball moves to Buies Creek, N.C. for a preview of the new-look Campbell Camels. After 55 years in Carter Gymnasium, the Camels move into the new John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center.

The Camels face the tall task of replacing their leading scorer (12.4 ppg) and rebounder (9.8 rpg) from a year ago in Marlena Murphy. Guard Lauren Arthur is the leading returning scorer (7.5 ppg) and Gara Bell is the top rebounder returning for the Camels (4.7 rpg).

Campbell dominated opponents on the boards a year ago, outrebounding their foes by 7.2 per game. The next closest margin was Kennesaw State, who posted a +3.9 margin on the glass.

Coach Wanda Watkins on the Camels

Team Page

Roster

Schedule

2007-08 Statistics

SEASON PREVIEW - (Courtesy Campbell Media Relations)

After closing out historic Carter Gymnasium last season, Campbell women’s basketball will embark on the 2008-09 year in a new facility, with four fresh faces, and nine returning players.

Head coach Wanda Watkins will again pilot the Lady Camel program, heading into her 28th year at the helm, and 34th overall with the program. After spending those years in Carter Gym, Watkins takes her team into the $30 John W. Pope, Jr. Convocation Center, the new home of Campbell basketball.

“We’re looking forward to opening our schedule in the Pope Convocation Center,” said Watkins. “Being able to open up the season there will definitely be a highlight of our season. It is an exciting time for Lady Camel Basketball and our athletic program here at Campbell. We’ve waited a long time for this, and grateful to everyone that has made this possible. We want to make them proud.”

Last season, the Lady Camels graduated three seniors, including two-time Atlantic Sun all-conference performer Marlena Murphy, who led the team in points and rebounding.

Driving the Camels’ success last season was their defense, which ranked fourth the A-Sun, allowing just 62.3 points per game. Campbell’s steals per game mark also placed fourth in the conference at 9.13, led by Jessica Mack with 2.27 per game, while its rebounding was well above the rest of the league.

“Rebounding and good defense are both great traditions here, and I think that every year is different and every team is different,” said Watkins. “We have some young players that are going to be able to step it up, with the addition of a newcomer from junior college that will play a big role for us this year.”

The Lady Camels ranked second in rebounding offense with a 41.2 rate, but took the top spot in rebounding defense at 33.9, giving the A-Sun’s best rebounding margin at + 7.2 as well. In fact, that margin was 3.3 better than Kennesaw State, the conference’s second best team, and a whopping 9.4 boards better than USC Upstate, who rounded out the league.

In addition to their rebounding and defensive numbers, Campbell also posted 13.3 assists per contest, good for fourth in the conference. CU guard Lauren Arthur, now a senior, accounted for 3.17 of the team’s assists, the A-Sun’s 10th best individual effort.

“I’m excited about our season,” said Watkins. “I really like our team and I look forward to getting started.”

Home dates with Longwood, High Point and UNC Ashville, as well as the Lady Camels’ season opener against Coker inside the new John W. Pope, Jr. Convocation Center highlight the 2008-09 Lady Camel schedule.

Nov. 15 will mark the day the Lady Camels hit the floor for their first game, entertaining Coker at 6 p.m., in what will be the first official basketball game on the Gore Arena floor.

“Our schedule is full of regional opponents and that should make for an exciting atmosphere,” added Watkins. “We have a great rivalry with our Big South opponents and since they are in such close vicinity, fans and parents can come out and see us on the road, which is great, plus they are good competition.”

Lipscomb hosts the A-Sun men’s and women’s basketball championships for the second-straight year at Allen Arena in Nashville, Mar. 4-7, 2009.

The format will feature 14 teams playing 12 games over four days, culminating in Championship Saturday. The men’s basketball final will be featured on an ESPN property while the women’s champion will be crowned live on Comcast Sports Southeast/Charter Sports Southeast (CSS).

11 Days of A-Sun Basketball Schedule
Oct. 29 - Belmont
Oct. 30 - Campbell
Oct. 31 - ETSU
Nov.  3 - FGCU
Nov.  4 - Jacksonville
Nov.  5 - Kennesaw State
Nov.  6 - Lipscomb
Nov.  7 - Mercer
Nov. 10 - UNF
Nov. 11 - USC Upstate
Nov. 12 - Stetson