In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, college sports have been put on hold, leaving their audiences missing their favorite teams and their players missing their favorite sports. During the fall 2020 semester college sports were finally allowed to open up. The Kean men’s and women’s basketball teams had a successful first season back.
The men’s basketball team had a total of six games this season and only one NJAC Tournament game. They won one of their regular season games, against Montclair State University, and unfortunately lost their NJAC Tournament game against The College of New Jersey.
The women’s basketball team had a total of eight games this season and two NJAC Tournament games. They won two of their regular season games, both against Rutgers-Newark, and one of their NCAA Tournament games also against Rutgers-Newark.
Although the new conditions of college sports is an adjustment to everyone, Kean Athletics took many precautions to make sure their players felt safe and comfortable. Some of the precautions put in place this season included:
Wearing masks at all times (except when physically playing)
Decreased capacity on buses when traveling
Wiping down equipment after use
Temperature and oxygen levels of athletes checked daily
Adjustment of practice and game schedules, to limit contact with other teams
Kean men’s basketball had a total of 68.6 points, .397 baskets, 6.6 3-pointers, 15.1 free throws, 31.0 rebounds, 13.4 assist, 15.1 turnovers, 7.4 steals, and 3.6 blocks per game. The team leaders throughout the season included:
Jailen Jamison
Nate Lyles
Jared Latane
JD Daniels
Abdullah Nieskens
Mario Gunn
Tyrese Johnson
Alkeim Raines Jr.
Justin Singh-Smith
Kean Women’s Basketball had a total of 59.1 points, .358 baskets, 7.3 3-point goals, 8.6 free throws, 37. 5 rebounds, 14.1 assists, 18.6 turnovers, 8.2 steals, and 3.0 blocks per game. The team leaders throughout the season included:
Brittany Graff
Olivia Nilsen
Shannon McCoy
Casey Filiault
Ashley Hunt
Shahd Badeer
Sarah Olivero
This basketball season was definitely different from those in the past but it has shown that the world is one more step closer to being back to normal. These athletes gave their everything to be back on the court and made the most of their first season back.
Cheers to a great first season back Cougars!
