JCSU Women's Basketball Predicted to Finish Tied for Second in the CIAA's Western Division
Bell, Bodie, and Jones Named to Pre-Season All-CIAA Team
Kristene Kelly
October 11, 2007

    
 Demetria Bell           Rochelle Bodie       Shemika Jones 
CHARLOTTE, N.C. –  - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association released its women’s basketball predicted order of finish and selected the Lady Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University to finish tied for second in the western division. Though finishing with a 16-14 overall record in 2006-07, the Lady Bulls lost all-conference Brittany Sumpter, the team’s leading scorer, (now head women’s basketball coach at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School), and standout guard/All-CIAA player Tiana Pope both who earned their undergraduate degrees in May.  

All-CIAA performer and senior Rochelle Bodie was named to the pre-season team after her stellar efforts last year. She returns as the team’s leading scorer (9.7 ppg) and rebounder (11.9 rpg). Sophomore Demetria Bell returns averaging a solid 6.2 ppg and 6.5 rpg. She provides another big presence in the post. Shemika Jones, a senior, is the second leading returning scorer averaging 9.0 ppg and 5.2 rpg.

Top assistant Stephen Joyner, Jr. rendered remarks about the team as head coach Vanessa Taylor was away tending to family business. “We have had a pretty good pre-season and the young ladies are working hard. We look forward to competing with everybody this year.”

The Lady Golden Bulls open the season with a tournament at Queen’s University (N.C.) on November 16-17. Their home opener will take place on November 20 when they host the Lady Bears of Shaw University who were picked to finish first in the west.

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