JUCO transfers Previlon, Harris, Goodman big boost for Women’s Basketball

March 4, 2013

Chikilra Goodman, a junior college transfer from Paris Junior College in Texas, has emerged as a starter for the Seawolves, and is currently averaging 8.9 points per game, third-best on the team. Photo by Adrian Szkolar.

Stony Brook women’s basketball had no expectations from the league, the media and the many who endured a long four win season last year. According to America East’s preseason poll, the Seawolves were ranked last and nobody had them winning more than a couple games.

Long story short they won 14 games, were the fourth-most improved team in Division I and earned the fou seed in the upcoming America East tournament. With four out of their last five conference games being decided by three points or less and a very hard fought game at Albany, there’s plenty of reason for optimism now among Seawolves fans and spectators alike.

So what fueled this year’s return to prominence in the America East? If you ask head coach Beth O’Boyle, currently in her second year of coaching at Stony Brook, she’ll say it is the culture some of the newest Seawolves have brought to the team that has been their biggest change.

Teasha Harris, who transferred from Kirkwood Community College in Iowa, has emerged as a key back-up for the Seawolves. Photo by Emily McTavish.

“They’re hard workers,” she said. “They play hard on defense and offense and they play for each other.”

It’s true that her junior college transfers have brought a lot to the Seawolves. Senior forward Jessica Previlon has been incredible for the Seawolves since she transferred from Monroe College, averaging 9.4 points per game and bringing in eight rebounds per game this season.

“She’s a versatile player, she isnt afraid to get fouled and go up for board on the offensive and defensive side,” O’Boyle said.

Junior Chikilra Goodman has been another nice addition for Stony Brook since her transfer from Paris JC.

“She can win you games in so many ways, whether its steals and assists or points and rebounds she finds a way to contribute and force the tempo,” O’Boyle said.

Goodman is averaging 8.9 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game, and has added 59 steals and 98 assists.

Jessica Previlon, a senior who transferred from Monroe Community College in New York last year, leads the team in rebounding with eight per game, and is also second in the team in scoring at 9.4 points per game. Photo by Adrian Szkolar.

Complimenting the hard-working junior college transfer group is Teasha Harris, a 5-7 guard from Kirkwood Community College.

“She’s a spark a lot of teams don’t have off the bench,” O’Boyle said. “She has great handles and gives us a lot of energy.”

These types of players are exactly what O’Boyle looks for when looking at junior college players.

“They may not be used to the pace of Division I but if I can see that they will be willing to put in the work I believe that they can fit here and they buy in as well.”

The sky’s the limit for one of the most improved teams in the country..