2024-2025 Women’s Basketball Season Preview

 


2023-2024 Record: 4-24 (3-21 Heart)
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Letterwinners returning/lost: 7/5

Notable returners:
Alyssa Hames, Grad., Ackley, Iowa
(Honorable-mention all-Heart, 11.0 points/game, 8.3 rebounds/game)
Aysia Arrowood, Sr., Wichita, Kan.
(Letterwinner, 8.9 points/game, 29 three-pointers)
Aiesha Feagins, Sr., Grand Prairie, Texas
(Letterwinner, 5.8 points/game, 47 assists)

Notable losses:
Mercer Roberts
(All-Heart)
Ally Stewart
(All-Heart)

Notable newcomers:
Carley West, Jr., Saint Paul, Minn.
Shelby Clark, Sr., Las Vegas, Nev.
Kayla Peoples, Jr., Waco, Texas
Azori Edwards, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.

A healthy Statesmen women's basketball team looks to make an impression as it enters the 2024-2025 season.

Head Coach Joe McKinstry led an injury-plagued William Penn squad to a 4-24 record (3-21 Heart) a year ago.

Several returners are back on the hardwood, including honorable-mention all-Heart of America Athletic Conference performer Alyssa Hames (Grad., Ackley, Iowa, Master's of Sports Management).

Point Guard

The coaching staff filled holes from a year ago, most notably at the point of attack as the trio of Lacy Whitcomb (Sr., Overland Park, Kan., Psychology), Mariah Baltierra (Sr., Norcross, Ga., Sports Management), and Rebecca Fraley (Jr., Windsor, Conn., Biology) all don the navy and gold for the first time this winter.

Wing

Aysia Arrowood (Sr., Wichita, Kan., Sports Management), with 8.9 points per outing, and Aiesha Feagins (Sr., Grand Prairie, Texas, Applied Mathematics), with 5.8 points per contest, highlight the returning wing players.  Jaida Smith (Sr., Milwaukee, Wis., Business Management) also appeared in six games and will add returning depth.

Shelby Clark (Sr., Las Vegas, Nev., Wellness and Recreation) was forced to medically redshirt last year and is predicted to have a big campaign, while Kayla Peoples (Jr., Waco, Texas, Nursing) is expected to lead the defensive effort in her first season at WPU.

Several of the wing players are expected to also bring the ball up the court as the Statesmen hope to keep opposing defenses on their toes.

Forward

Hames, who leads the returners in both points (11.0) and rebounds (8.3), is back for one last battle.

Like Clark, Carley West (Jr., Saint Paul, Minn., Human Services) also sat out the 2023-2024 campaign due to injury and is eager to make an impact this year.  Azori Edwards (Jr., Philadelphia, Pa., Sociology) will compete for William Penn for the first time as well.

McKinstry plans to utilize his forwards as centers as well.

Center

Speaking of the post, Amaria Turner (Jr., Des Moines, Iowa, Human Services) will headline that grouping after seeing the court in 23 games a year ago.

Freshman Aliya Wagamon (Oskaloosa, Iowa, Psychology) has impressed the coaching staff in preseason practices as well and should provide a lift off the bench.

Schedule/Conference

The 2024-2025 campaign opens Saturday with William Penn heading to Omaha, Neb. to face College of Saint Mary.  The Statesmen begin Heart play on November 13 at home against Mount Mercy.