Kara Lawson's Inaugural Season As The Duke Women's Basketball Head Coach In 2020-2021 Was Short However, She Remained Busy By Bringing In Transfers
Kara Lawson inaugural season as the Duke Women’s Basketball Head Coach in 2020-2021 was short!
Why?
The Duke Women’s Basketball Programs stint on the hardwood for the 2020-2021 season was a brief one with new head coach Kara Lawson!
Why?
Because of coronavirus concerns! “according to an article by ESPN News Services and because there were people in the traveling party that were positive for the coronavirus but no players tested positive for the Coronavirus. “according to an article by Stephen Wiseman Of The News & Observer
With the Duke Women’s Basketball team bringing their season on the hardwood to an end where they had a 3-1 record where they defeated Longwood in their season opener
When?
On November 25,2020 by score of 94-64 in Durham North Carolina!
How?
Jaidia Patrick scored 21 points along with seven rebounds and five assists. Junior Onome Akinbode-James added her third collegiate double-double with career highs of 15 points and 16 rebounds.
started getting in foul trouble in the second quarter with three starters receiving two fouls each and a total of four with multiple fouls. Duke built an 18-point advantage on five different occasions in the second quarter, before heading into the break with a 44-29 advantage.
The Duke tandem of Patrick and freshman Vanessa de Jesus paced the Blue Devils over the first 20 minutes, combining for 21 of Duke's 44 points. With 11 points in the opening half of her Duke debut, de Jesus led the Blue Devils, hitting 4-of-6 field the field.
As a team, Duke hit 56.7 percent from the field in the first half, while holding the Lancers to 26.8 percent shooting.
Duke came out in the third period and continued to shoot well hitting 57.1 percent from the field on their way to scoring 30 points in the quarter, which was the fifth most in school history. Duke built a 74-50 advantage with 10 minutes remaining.
Heading into the fourth quarter, all five Duke starters had scored double-digits led by Patrick with 15.
Duke hit 9-of-15 field goals in the fourth to close the game with a 30-point victory.
Patrick, a product of West Haverstraw, N.Y., had a career afternoon as she made her first collegiate start. The 5-10 guard hit 9-of-13 field goals, 2-of-2 treys and collected two steals to go along with her career-highs of 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists. As a rookie a year ago, Patrick collected 33 total points, 21 rebounds, three assists and four steals in 119 minutes.
For the contest, Duke hit 57.6 percent from the field, held a 53-29 advantage on the boards and dished 19 assists.
In her collegiate debut, de Jesus notched 13 points, four assists, three rebounds and one blocked shot in 30 minutes. She became the first Blue Devil to score 13 or more when starting their first career game since Rebecca Greenwell totaled 17 at Alabama in 2014.
Senior Jade Williams (12) and junior Miela Goodchild (16) also reached double-digits. Sophomore Jada Claude pulled down a career-high 10 boards, while scoring a career-high seven points. “according to an article on goduke.com
In their second game of the season the Duke Women’s Basketball program defeated Western Carolina by a score of 83-56!
When?
On November 29, 2020!
Where?
Durham North Carolina!
How?
They made thirteen three pointers and Graduate transfer Sara Anastasieska paced the Blue Devils with a game-high 23 points, while freshman Vanessa de Jesus scored a career-high 17 points and junior Miela Goodchild added 14 points. Duke senior Jade Williams neared a triple-double with a career-high 15 rebounds, nine points and a career-high eight assists. “according to an article on goduke.com
For the second straight contest, Duke got off to a hot start jumping out to a 14-4 advantage boosted by eight points from de Jesus. The rookie knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to open the game.
In their third game of the season Duke beat East Carolina by a score of 72-47!
When?
On Saturday December 5,2020!
Why?
Miela Goodchild collected a season-high 24 points! “according to an article on goduke.com
Then the Duke Women’s Basketball program lost to Louisville by a score of 73-49!
When?
On Wednesday December 9, 2020!
Where?
Durham North Carolina!
Why?
The Duke women's basketball team held strong against second-ranked Louisville Wednesday evening in Cameron Indoor Stadium before eventually falling, 73-49, in the ACC opener for both teams! “according to an article on goduke.com
After entering the contest hitting 57.1 percent from the field in the first quarter, the Blue Devils struggled out of the gate. Duke hit only 6-of-21 field goals for 28.6 percent and trailed 21-12 through 10 minutes. Jaida Patrick and Jade Williams paced the Blue Devils with six and four points, respectively, in the quarter. “according to an article on goduke.com
Duke made a run in the second and cut the Cardinals lead to 24-20 on a layup by junior Onome Akinbode-James, but Louisville went on a 6-0 run itself to increase its lead. “according to an article on goduke.com
Louisville hit its first five three-point attempts and Duke was limited to 0-of-11 from downtown in the first half as the Blue Devils trailed 35-22 at the break. The Blue Devils hit a season-low 30.6 percent from the field in the half and was led by Williams with eight points.“according to an article on goduke.com
Though her inaugural season as the Head Coach of Duke Women’s Basketball was short she has remained busy since then.
How?
She’s been bringing in new players to add to the 2021-2022 Duke Women’s Basketball team!
How?
Via transfer!
Why?
Because every collegiate student athlete gets an extra year of eligibility!
Why?
Because of the coronavirus pandemic!
Recently,
She has brought in Imani Lewis who transferred from Wisconsin where she played three seasons!
As a freshman in 2018-2019 she played in 32 games for the Badgers, starting 30… earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors by the media ... averaged 27.4 minutes per game … second on team in points, averaging 12.2 points per game … ranked third for Big Ten freshmen in scoring ... scored a career-high 22 points vs. Iowa (Jan. 7) … has five double-doubles on the season … scored in double figures in 23 games … led the team in scoring in eight games ... second on team in rebounds, averaging 7.6 per game ... also ranked third for Big Ten freshmen in rebounding … led the Badgers in rebounds for 12 games ... added career-high 14 rebounds vs. Marshall (Dec.4) … shot career best 7-7 from behind the line vs. North Dakota State (Nov. 17)… shot a career-high 7-10 (.700 percent) from the field vs. Pittsburgh (Nov. 23) ... led the team in blocks for three games ... tallied 1.2 steals per game.
As a sophomore in 2019-2020 she played n all 31 games and started 30... lead team in minutes with an average of 30.4 minutes per game... shot .448 from the field and .500 from behind the arc... shot .717 from the FT line... lead the team in scoring with an average of 14.5 ppg...scored double-digits in 25 games... has recorded 12 double-doubles... averaged 8.6 rebounds per game to lead the team... career high 23 points against Penn State and 16 rebounds at Minnesota... had 34 assists and 27 steals on the season... second in team blocks with 21... holds third place in record book for consecutive double-doubles with six... tied 8th overall for career double-doubles with 17... fifth for most double-doubles in a season with 12...named to the Big Ten Honor Roll weeks of Jan. 6 and Jan. 27
As a junior in 2020-2021 she started all 11 games this season, averaging 30.0 minutes per game, which ranks third on the team ... ranks second on the team with 12.5 ppg ... has scored in double figures in eight of 11 games ... scored a season-high 19 points vs. Valparaiso (Dec. 20) ... leads the Badgers with 7.4 rebounds per game, which ranks ninth in the Big Ten ... has a team-best four double-doubles this season, including 17 points and a season-high 14 rebounds vs. No. 9 Maryland (Jan. 17) ... has a seasonhigh two assists in three games, and two steals in two games .. tallies nine assists, three blocks and six steals on the season.
Celeste Taylor who played at Texas during the 2019-20 season where she was a 2020 Big 12 All-Freshman Team selection.
• A three-time Big 12 Freshman of the Week selection and a one-time Big 12 Player of the Week honoree.
• Played in all 30 games with 26 starts, averaging 27.9 minutes per game. Played the fourth-most minutes on the team.
• Averaged 9.3 points per game and 4.8 rebounds per game. Fourth on her team in scoring and third in rebounding.
• Scored in double figures on 14 occasions during the year.
• Led her team in three-pointers made with 31. Made a career-high four three-pointers on three different occasions.
• Third on the team in steals with 42 and fourth in assists with 44.
• Her free-throw percentage of 70.8 [68-of-96] ranked third-best on her team.
• Was the Big 12 Co-Player of the Week and Big 12 Player of the Week on March 2 after helping the Longhorns to wins against No. 25 TCU and Oklahoma. During that span, she averaged 24.5 points per game, a field-goal percentage of 60.7, eight three-pointers made and 36.5 minutes per game. She was the only Texas player on the season to record back-to-back 20-plus point games.
• Scored a career-high 27 points with a career-best four three-pointers in 36 minutes in a win against Oklahoma [Feb. 29].
• Turned in her first career double-double in a road win against No. 25 TCU [Feb. 26] with a then-career-high 22 points, a career-high-tying 10 rebounds and a career-high four three-pointers in a career-best 27 minutes.
• Totaled 15 points - including 7-for-10 free throws - and seven rebounds in 23 minutes at Kansas [Feb. 15].
• Registered 13 points and four rebounds at Oklahoma [Jan. 28].
• Charted 15 points, a career-high seven steals, three rebounds and three assists in 32 minutes to help the Longhorns to a road win at Kansas State [Jan. 19].
• Scored a then-career-high 17 points and brought down nine rebounds in a victory against Ohio [Dec. 18].
• Reached double figures in scoring for five consecutive games from Nov. 20 to Dec. 1.
• Brought down a career-high 10 rebounds to go with four points vs. UTSA [Nov. 14].
Lexie Gordon who’s collegiate career began at Connecticut before transferred mid season in 2018-2019 Lexie Gordan sat out the 2018-2019 season!
Why?
Because of transfer rules,
As a junior in 2019-2020 at Texas Tech Lexi Gordon appeared in in 23 games for the Lady Raiders as a junior after having to sit out the first six games of the season due to NCAA transfer rules … Made 20 starts in her first season at Texas Tech … Finished the year averaging 13.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game—all career highs … Was a sharpshooter for the Lady Raiders, finishing second on the team in three pointers (46) and three-point field goal efficiency (.365) … Recorded 14 double-digit games on the year, three games of 20-or-more points and two 30-plus point games … Had 16 games of five or more rebounds and three double-digit rebounding games … Recorded three double doubles on the season … Led Tech in scoring and rebounding five times each … Finished fifth in the Big 12 in three-point field goals per game at 2.0 … Was among an elite list of five Big 12 players averaging 12+ points, 6+ rebounds and 2+ assists, with that group also including Lauren Cox (Baylor), Lauren Heard (TCU), Joyner Holmes (Texas) and Peyton Williams (Kansas State) … Was one of three Big 12 players with multiple 30-point games in 2019-20 … Named to the Academic All-Big 12 first team.
“according to her biography on texas tech .com”
Nyah Green from Louisville and Finklea-Guity from Syracuse who like Duke are colleges that are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
As a freshman in 2019-2020 Nyah Green red shirted and was named to the o Preseason ACC Newcomer Watch List.
However,
Her playing career in Louisville Kentucky where she would play for Louisville Head Coach Jeff Walz wouldn’t last long!
Why?
Because she was redshirted!
When?
During the 2019-2020 season!
“according to her biography on gocards.com”
Why?
Because she was concerned about not getting enough playing time. She appeared in all five of the Cardinals' games this season, but played just one minute in their most recent game, a Dec. 9 victory over Duke.
Jeff Walz had this say about Nyah Green entering the transfer portal!
Nyah reached out to us and felt that a move was the best thing for her," Louisville coach Jeff Walz said in a statement. "Nyah is a very talented player and an excellent student. We wish her nothing but the best moving forward."
“according to an article by Mechelle Voepel on espn.com”
And Amaya Finklea-Guity from Syracuse!
As a freshman at Syracuse in 2017-2018 Amaya Finklea-Guity was named the ACC All-Freshman Team by the Blue Ribbon Panel ... Played in every game and had a season-high 36 minutes against North Carolina (2/22) ... Averaged 6.7 points a game and 5.4 rebounds ... Season-high 11 rebounds against Virginia Tech (2/1) ... Scored a season-high of 18 points against Costal Carolina (12/17) and pulled in eight boards for a career-outing shooting .636 (7-for-11) from the field ... In her college debut, Finklea-Guity had a career-high with 10 rebounds against Stony Brook (12/3)
As a sophomore in 2018-2019 Amaya Finklea-Guity Scored in every game this season, averaging 6.4 points per game … Shot 49.7% from the field, ranking third among Orange shooters … Recorded a season high 14 points versus Maryland Eastern Shore (12/5) … Tallied a season-high eight rebounds versus Princeton in the Cancun Challenge (11/23) … Ranked third on the team in blocks (30), including a season-high three at Florida State (2/28) … Recorded a season best two steals at Louisville (2/7).
As a junior in 2019-2020 Amaya Finklea-Guity Started in all 31 games … Averaged 18.6 minutes, 6.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game … Had double-digit scoring in eight games … Scored 11 points on 5-6 shooting against Houston … Scored 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds at Michigan … Scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds against UMBC … Scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds against West Virginia … Grabbed 10 rebounds and scored nine points against Ohio … Had a career-high four blocks against Florida State as well as 10 rebounds and nine points … Scored 13 points and had three blocks against Virginia Tech … Scored 12 points against Boston College … Scored 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds against Clemson … Scored a season-high 15 points against Virginia ... Named to the Florida Sunshine Classic All-Tournament Team
“according to her biography on cuse.com”