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Saturday, July 5, 2025

Reinson Focusing on Areas of Improvement

The Longwood Lancers women's basketball team opens play this Friday night, Nov. 11, on the road at Georgetown University of the Big East Conference. The schedule for the women's team includes nine home games and 21 away games. The first home game for the team is this coming Sunday, Nov. 13, against Cornell University. The 2011-12 campaign will also see the Lancers play at home against in-state teams George Mason, Radford and Richmond. Additional home games include Norfolk State, Coppin State, NJIT, Dartmouth and Gardner-Webb.

The 21 road contests for Longwood include trips to Big East schools Notre Dame and Cincinnati. The Lancers also travel to play ACC opponents Miami and North Carolina State. The Lancers will also play at William and Mary. Longwood's overall record was 7-23 last season. Longwood was 6-7 in Willett Hall last season and is 13-12 at home for the last two seasons.

Bill Reinson is entering his first full year as the program's head coach after taking over control of the team in December of last year.

"When I look back at the schedule, I wonder what I was thinking on some of those games," Reinson said jokingly. "A lot of it had to do with finances, bringing in money to support the program. I guess at the time I didn't realize we would be playing three top ten ranked teams (Notre Dame, Georgetown, Miami (Fla.), but you've got to go out and play. Outside of the big games, I think our schedule lines up really well. I think we have a lot of road games we can compete in and are winnable. All the home games are games that are winnable. Even going up to Cincinnati is going to be a trial because they're a Big East team; but that's a game I think we can compete similar to the way we did last year at Virginia Tech, because they are a lower level Big East team. I think it's going to be a challenge at times…we're going to have to play the best we can and get past them because there are other games we need to win."

Road play has not been kind to the women's team over the past several years. The team was 1-16 last year on the road. Reinson said there are several facets of the game which the team needs to focus on improving.

"At home or on the road, there are three areas we are trying to focus on," he explained. "One, we turned the ball over way too much last year, regardless of where we played. We also gave up way too many offensive rebounds last year. The third thing is fouls. We gave up way too many free throws last year, whether it was from reaching in or just being out of position on defense. So, I think if we can improve in those three areas, some of the road play will take care of itself."

Reinson also talked about some of the veteran players who will play big roles in the Lancers' on-court attack. He said senior Brittanni Billups is still going to be one of major forces offensively. Billups led the team in scoring and rebounding last season. Junior Chelsea Coward has progressed nicely, as has junior Crystal Smith, according to Reinson. Junior Erin Neal, who Reinson calls the "spark plug of the team," will see a lot of court time. Senior Mina Jovanovic also will see plenty of action and is a "breakout candidate." That should be the five starters for the team.

There are plenty of changes to the women's roster from last year. Several Lancers have transferred (Bria White and Emilee Dunton). Emma Zeverink decided not to play this season. There are also injury problems. Senior Morgan Smith has an injury she may not return from, although she is hopeful. Brittany Jones had a recurring stress fracture in her foot. Jones decided to not stay with the team and will graduate in December. Freshman Jessica Parker will not play this season due to injury. Freshman Rianna Frazer suffered a concussion on Monday of this week and is not sure of a return date. Heather Tobeck is coming back from ACL surgery and will be used sparingly. New Lancers Mieke Elkington and Megan Baltzell will get playing time. Reinson is confident even with the setbacks.

"We're undermanned right now," Reinson said, "but we still have our core."

 

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