Brooklyn returns just one starter but with the addition of a few former players returning to the court, the Hurricanes are eager for the 2024-2025 season to begin.
Second-year head coach Bryce Brown is confident his squad will be competitive and improved this season.
“We will have a different look this season with a lot of new faces,” Brown said. “We are also bringing back some familiar faces. We are a young team; however, our expectations are to compete in every game.”
The Hurricanes, who finished 5-18 overall last season, will use defense to set the tone for the season and each game.
“We are going to be a defensive team first,” Brown said. “We want to grit and grind the game and keep scoring low.”
Brooklyn’s biggest challenge comes from the squad’s relative youth.
“We are very young in varsity years,” Brown said. “We have a few first-time players as well as a good group of freshmen. Everyone will have to grow up fast this year. We are having them jump into the water with the sharks on day one, but I believe in the talent they bring.”
The Hurricanes got better overnight when Jade Riedel and Rayanna Cogburn rejoined the team after taking off last season.
Both are senior guards who will jumpstart the offense and, as captains, they will provide leadership to the younger players.
“(Riedel is) a very smart player who will have a lot of offensive responsibility. She is our floor general and can put the ball in the hoop,” Brown said. “(Cogburn is) a two-way player for us, and she’s our defensive leader by far. She completes the Yin and Yang backcourt that we will lean on this season.”
Senior guard/forward Emily Radovanic is Brooklyn’s lone returning starter.
She averaged 1.3 steals and 1.0 points per game last season.
“She came into the year as the lone returning player and captain,” Brown said. “She did an unbelievable job getting girls to want to play this year. She hangs her hat on defense and gets out in transition.”
Freshman guard/forward/center Reese Alonso and freshman center Elizabeth Jackiewicz round out the projected starting lineup.
“(Alonso) has a chance to be very special when it’s all said and done. She’s a three-level scorer as a freshman and I’ve seen her grow from the first day she walked in. I’m very excited about her future at Brooklyn,” Brown said. “(Jackiewicz) is only a freshman and already we depend on her to bring toughness and control the paint. I feel that down the line she’s going to be an easy double-double type player. I’ve seen her make a huge leap since we started and I’m excited about what she can be moving forward.”
Senior guard Camila Gordillo and freshman center/forward Gracie Beane will provide quality depth.
“This is (Gordiollo’s) first time in the states and playing organized ball, but she has outworked everyone in the weight room and is one of our better defensive players. We only have her for one year, but she has hit the ground running and is a player I’m excited for. She’s a real asset to have on this team,” Brown said. “(Beane) has very raw talent. She will help keep us balanced and not missing a beat when we go to the bench. I expect her to keep growing as she’s being thrown into the water as well.”
Brooklyn certainly faces several challenges this season, but the Hurricanes can accomplish their goals if they stay true to the game plan.
“Our goals are to leave no good days behind,” Brown said. “We want to get better every day and build a new culture. We also want to finish the year over .500 and be competitive within our conference.”
