Ft. Monmouth, NJ – The West Point Prep Women’s Basketball team notched its fourth win of the 2008-09 campaign last night as they turned away nationally-ranked Harcum College by a final of 61-43.

West Point Prep scored 36 second-half points and received double-digit scoring contributions from three players.

After a slow start, the Black Knight eventually built a five-point halftime lead, behind Megan Maurer’s seven first-half points.

The Knights opened the second half with a 12-4 run and extended to a 37-24 lead with 14 minutes to play in the game. 

The story of the game was defense as the Black Knights tallied a season-high nine steals, seven of which came in the second half.  The “Sixth Man” fan section affectionately known as the “PFCrazies” arrived in full force and provided a significant home court advantage for the Knights.

Krista Goltra continued her season of thievery as she tallied four steals in the second half, keying the Black Knights’ run and helping to put the game out of reach.

Megan Maurer led the Knights tallying a game-high 13 points, seven rebounds and two steals.

Karona Roach also turned in 13 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists.  Alison Grapevine contributed 10 points and four rebounds (three offensively).

Goltra turned in exceptional performances on both ends of the floor as she collected six points, five assists, and five steals.  Kimby Martin, Karleen Paulin and Allison McKearn rounded out the scoring as they turned in nine, six and six points respectively.

Head Coach Brendan Copes was pleased not only with the win but with the improvement that the team has shown in only four games.

“Beating a nationally-ranked opponent like Harcum is a good step for us.  Our defensive intensity and discipline especially in the second half was much-improved from our last outing,” said Copes.

“Our goal is to improve on a game by game basis and thus far I think we have done that,” he added.

The Lady Black Knights will enjoy a short break over the Thanksgiving holiday before returning to action December 3rd, when they travel to Blairstown, NJ to take on the highly-touted Buccaneers from Blair Academy.  Game time is set for 5:30pm.

West Windsor, NJ -- The West Point Prep Women's Basketball team overcame a slow offensive effort to outlast a feisty Mercer CC club by a final of 47-37.

Mercer's defensive pressure and intensity kept the Black Knights from extending its 6-point halftime lead.

The Black Knights were led by Alison Grapevine who notched her third straight double-double of the season, as she tallied 13 points and 10 boards.

Megan Maurer contributed nine points and eight rebounds for the Knights.

The Black Knights again received balanced offensive contributions from Kimby Martin (9 pts.), Karona Roach (7 pts.), and Allison McKearn (7 pts.)

The women will make their home-debut Thursday November 20th as they take on perennial power Harcum College. Game time is set for 7pm.

Mays Landing, NJ – The West Point Prep Women’s Basketball team picked up its second win of the 2008-09 campaign as they took down the Buccaneers from Atlantic Cape CC, 68-39.

West Point Prep received scoring contributions from nine different players and dominated the glass on both ends of the court as they pushed their record to 2-0.

The Black Knights, playing their second straight road game, started slow but eventually built a 13-point lead at the intermission.  Kimby Martin, Karleen Paulin and Karona Roach all tallied baskets from behind the arc to help build the first half lead.

A long three-ball by Martin and lay-in by Alison Grapevine helped the Black Knights to an 8-0 run to start the second half of play.

West Point Prep didn’t let up as they extended their lead to 25 points with 12 minutes remaining.

Grapevine and Megan Maurer continued their inside dominance as they each tallied a game-high 14 points.  The pair also combined for 16 boards.

The perimeter game was again a balanced attack for the Black Knights.  Martin notched 10 points including a pair of makes from behind the arc.  Paulin contributed eight points and eight rebounds, while Roach chipped in eight points and six assists.

West Point Prep again received big minutes from the bench as Krista Goltra dished out six assists and picked up three steals.  Allison McKearn scored six to go along with five boards.

“This was a good win because of how we did it,” said Head Coach Brendan Copes.

“We overcame a slow start and responded well in the second half.  Everyone contributed to a balanced attack,” he added.

The Black Knights will return to action November 18th as they travel to West Windsor, NJ to take on Mercer County CC. Game time is set for 6pm.

Philadelphia, PA – The West Point Prep Women’s Basketball team began its season with a win last night as they knocked off the Community College of Philadelphia 68-34.

The Black Knights carried a 20-point lead into intermission and were able to hold off an early second half run to extend its lead. 

Kimby Martin led the Black Knights, tallying 19 points, including five baskets outside the arc. 

Alison Grapevine turned in solid performances on both ends as well as a double-double, notching 10 points, and 16 rebounds (11 on the offensive end).

A balanced scoring attack keyed the second-half run for the Knights, as nine different prepsters got into the scoring column.  Megan Maurer chipped in 12 points and four rebounds while Karleen Paulin and Karona Roach contributed eight and seven point respectively.

The Black Knights will return to action on November 14, as they again hit the road to take on Atlantic Cape CC in Mays Landing, NJ.  Game time is set for 6pm.

The Army Prep Women’s Basketball team has released it slate of games for the 2008-09 season. 

The prepsters will be tested from the start as they begin this year’s campaign with three straight road games against Gloucester CC, Raritan Valley CC, and CC of Philadelphia.  After battling Morris CC in the home opener, the Black Knights will again hit the road to take on Atlantic Cape CC and Mercer CC.

On November 20th national power Harcum College will visit Fort Monmouth as the Black Knights look to avenge last season’s loss.

After the Thanksgiving break the team will play its next four games against some of the nation’s best prep school programs.  This stretch begins with a trip to Blairstown as the Knights will mix it up with Blair Academy.  Next it’s off to Worcester, MA where the team will again compete in the prestigious Blackburn Tournament held at Worcester Academy.  In the first game, Army Prep will take on the New Hampton School with the winner meeting either Worcester Academy or Deerfield Academy.

Army Prep will close out 2008 with a home meeting against the Hun School.

The team will pick up the schedule in 2009 with three straight road games including trips to Middlesex CC, Ocean CC, and Northampton CC.  The Knights will return home to face off against the Community College of Philadelphia and Atlantic Cape CC.

Following a January 28th meeting with local powerhouse Rutgers Prep, the team will take its game to West Point where they will face Nassau CC on February 1st.

On February 3rd the team will make the short trip to Lincroft, NJ where they will take on nationally-ranked Brookdale CC.  Brookdale capped off last year’s campaign by winning the Garden State Athletic Conference Championship, a Region XIX Championship and a 5th place finish in the National Tournament.

After a rematch with Northampton CC on February 5th, the women will again bring their game to Christl Arena at West Point to face off against Cayuga CC.  Cayuga was able to slip past the Knights in last year’s meeting.

The marquee match ups on the schedule take place on February 13th and 15th as Army Prep will host the Tri-Service Academy Classic.  The Black Knights will put their skills to the test against the other service academy prep schools.  Army Prep will take on Air Force Prep on Friday evening and cap off the weekend with a match up against Navy Prep on Sunday.  The Black Knights were able to sink Navy Prep last season in Newport, RI.

The final test of the 2008-09 campaign will come on February 22nd, as the Knights end their season at West Point against a powerful Suffolk CC team.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2008-09 SCHEDULE