There was minimal improvement from 2007-2008 with an increase of one win. Entering the 2008-09 season, the George Mason University Patriots have seven returning players. Among them, three freshmen from last year’s team will be expected to step up and fill the holes in the starting lineup. Experience from last season is a key benefit for this season as these three players were given ample playing time. Year two is just around the corner for Eugenia Broadus, Brittany Eley, and Brittany Poindexter.

Broadus Broadens Her Horizon

Last season, Broadus started in 12 of 30 total games, and led all freshmen with 19.3 minutes per game. Playing a full season without missing any games, Broadus averaged 4.5 points per game (PPG). As a freshman, the forward posted an above-average field-goal percentage. Broadus is known for her all-around ability.

Broadus graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington D.C. after playing three years with the varsity basketball team. In her junior year, she averaged 13 PPG and nine rebounds per game (RPG). In 2005, Broadus earned All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference honorable mention, and followed that in 2007 with first-team All-WCAC honors.

Broadus carried that success over to Mason as she had a productive debut at University of Georgia, shooting 4-of-5 from the free throw line and grabbing four rebounds. In her first 27 games, she averaged 3.9 PPG. In the last three games of the season, Broadus scored 10 PPG. The 6-1 forward was the team’s second leading offensive rebounder with 1.4 per game. In a game against Towson University, Broadus grabbed a season-high 11 boards, five of which came from the offensive side.

In addition to her offensive prowess, Broadus was just as effective on defense.

“Athleticism is the strong point of my game, especially on defense. I believe defense wins games,” said Broadus. “If we make stops on defense, we can rely less on our offense to win.”

Broadus led the team last season with 18 blocks, and also recorded 24 steals. Already a good defender, Broadus will be a tough player to guard as she can be skillful in scoring and passing.

Eley Idol, the Scoring Artist

In 17 starts last season, Eley averaged 5.1 PPG, fourth-most on the team. Among returning players, she is the second leading scorer from 2008. Eley shot a respectable 65.5 percent from the free throw line.

Eley did not have to go far when choosing to play for a college basketball team. With interest from James Madison, Hofstra, Massachusetts, Delaware, and East Carolina University, Mason stood out most for Eley.

“With Mason being close to home, the school has a nice environment and a good education program specified to my major. I felt this was the place where I had a good opportunity to make a difference on the basketball court,” said Eley.

Eley lettered all four years on the Westlake High School varsity team from 2004-2007. Eley was a Washington Post All-Met honorable mention in both her junior and senior years, and also was recognized as a McDonald’s All-American nominee. In her final two seasons, she was named Southern Maryland Athletic Conference Player of the Year in addition to earning first-team All-SMAC honors. As a senior, Eley averaged 19.6 PPG and reached the 1,000-point milestone. In her junior year, she led the team to the regional title.

Last season, Eley scored a season-high 15 points against Liberty University and followed that performance with 14 points against James Madison. Eley scored in double-digits for the third consecutive game against Towson University with 12 points. She has been a streaky player with highs and lows. In the month of February, Eley averaged only 2.7 PPG with a high of six points. Towards the end of the season, Eley rediscovered her scoring ways. In two of the last three games, Eley scored 11 and 12 points back-to-back.

Poindexterous

Poindexter led all freshmen last season with 17 starts. In 29 games, Poindexter averaged 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 19.2 minutes. Poindexter shot 41.1 percent from the field at the expense of a below-average free throw percentage of 42.1 percent.

Poindexter was a first-team All-WCAC player along with current teammate Eugenia Broadus in 2007. While at the Academy of the Holy Cross, the four-year varsity player earned Washington Post All-Met honorable mention for three years and was a McDonald’s All-American nominee.

“My best performance came in the conference championship game against St. John’s College High School where we were down most of the game, but came back to win the title,” said Poindexter.

As a senior, Poindexter posted 14.6 PPG, 10 RPG, and 4.5 steals per game. Poindexter also ran track and field for two years during high school.

“Both sports kept me in good shape. Playing basketball for the high school and AAU team got me ready for track and field season,” Poindexter said.

Last season, Poindexter scored in double-digits three times. In a 58-57 win over UMBC, Poindexter scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Poindexter matched her season-high 12 points to go along with six rebounds against James Madison University. Poindexter, one of three freshmen last year, committed the fewest turnovers with only 35.
Poindexter’s role on the team will be significant with the loss of 2008 graduate Lateisha Wade.