The College of Staten Island Women's Basketball Team begins the 2023-2024 with the 2023 Conference Challenge on Saturday, and the upcoming season will see the program return its entire roster from last year. The 2022-2023 squad remains the only varsity sports program to win a postseason game, and the team was 20 minutes away from a berth in the ECC Championship last year as they led Daemen University at halftime in the conference semifinals. The Dolphins were 6-10 in conference play last season which drew them a road game against UDC in the opening round of the ECC Tournament. After a slow start, the Dolphins the Dolphins surged past the Firebirds and never trailed in the second half. The Dolphin went on to lose in the conference semifinals, but Head Coach Nicole Sarcone will see much of her roster entering their third season under her leadership this year. Though the team won a playoff game last season, the Dolphins were picked to place 7th in the conference in the coaches preseason poll, a finish that would see them miss the postseason. UDC, their first round opponent from last year was chosen to finish third in the conference, a testament to how closely competitive ECC Women's Basketball is expected to be this season. With significant playoff experience gained last season, the return of their entire roster, and the addition of new talent, the team hopes the next step is a spot in the conference championship game. For a closer look at this year's returners, a breakdown of the 2023-2024 schedule, and more, check out our full preview below.
PLAYER PROFILES
JENALYSE ALARCON - Jr. | FWD | Troy, NY
Alarcon was the driving force behind CSI's success in the postseason last year as she scored a career-high 34 points in CSI's first round win over UDC. During the regular season, she was a major presence at both ends of the floor, and averaged nearly a double-double for the second consecutive season. She finished the season with seven double-doubles and was consistently among the team's leading scorers each game. A willing passer that makes her teammates better, Alarcon was also second on the team with 61 assists last season. Defensively her, 27 blocks and 36 steals also led the team. Look for Alarcon to take yet another step forward this season as she looks to help lead the Dolphins even deeper into the postseason.
ASHLEY LAMBERT - Jr. | G | Staten Island, NY
Lambert distinguished herself as one of CSI's most consistent outside shooters last season with a 34% mark from beyond the arc. Averaging 10.1 points per game, she also finished the season as the Dolphins second-leading scorer. She scored in double-figures sixteen times including a 20 point game last year, and she led the Dolphins with 54 made threes. The Dolphins will need her to be equally consistent from the outside again this year and hope to see her maintain double-digit scoring averages in her third season with the team.
KAIA JOHNSON - Jr. | G | Brooklyn, NY
Johnson has proven her versatility for the Dolphins many times throughout her two seasons with the team, and she managed to step up when it mattered most in the postseason. Against the Firebirds in CSI's opening-round playoff game, Johnson registered a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double to go along with 4 assists. Johnson has typically done much her damage at the offensive end from the mid range, but she was also the team leader in assists with 78. Defensively, she also wreaks havoc in the passing lanes and was tied for the team lead in steals with 36.
GIA ESPOSITO - Gr. | G | Staten Island, NY
Esposito burst onto the scene for the Dolphins two years ago and immediately made an impact on the team with her outside shooting. She also demonstrated a willingness to try and create shots off the dribble, something that proved valuable to the CSI rotation. Though her shooting numbers dipped a bit last season, she still finished second on the team in made three-pointers. Her season debut was also delayed by injury last year, and this year presents her with the opportunity to get started with the rest of the team completely healthy. Esposito was honored as part of Senior Day last season, but she later decided to enroll in graduate school giving the Dolphins the added boost that comes with her return.
ELIZABETH LOFARO - Jr. | G | Marlboro, NY
Despite battling an injury last season, Lofaro still managed to lead qualifying Dolphins in three-point shooting at 36.2%. She also scored 10 points and made at least two threes in each of CSI's playoff games and has proven to be a clutch shooter for CSI throughout her tenure with the team. She scored in double-figures nine times last season as well. With a significant jump in her three-point shooting last year, the Dolphins hope that a return to health may also see her match her scoring average from her first season with the program two years ago.
NOEMIA MASSINGUE - Jr. | F | Matola, Maputo, Mozambique
Alongside Alarcon, Massingue has been one of CSI's most consistent scorers around the basket. and a consistent presence on the glass. Last season, she collected 13 and 16 rebounds in two separate games and scored in double-figures four times. She was also one of five Dolphins to finish the year with over 40 assists and was third on the team averaging five rebounds per game. For a team that attempted nearly 600 threes last season, she gave the Dolphins a threat to attack the rim, something that was much-needed at many points during the 2022-2023 season.
BRIANNA MOORE - Jr. | C | Elmont, NY
Moore easily possesses the most size on the Dolphins roster and was given consistent minutes off the bench in order to combat difficult matchups. When in the game, she would always serve as an anchor for a CSI defense that was often facing a distinct disadvantage in terms size. Moore appeared in 26 games and earned 4 starts last season scoring 50 points in around 12 minutes per game. Though her role was highly dependent on matchups, she was a vital piece of the CSI rotation and could see minutes in a similar role this season.
AMAYA JENKINS - So. | G | Staten Island, NY
Another valuable piece of the CSI bench, Jenkins gave the Dolphins a bit of everything in her reserve role. She often served as the backup point guard and was tasked with running the CSI offense. At other times she was pressed into a role where the Dolphins needed a bit more scoring from her during her freshman campaign. Her effort on the defensive end was important to the success of the second unit as well and she finished the year with 25 steals despite averaging just 15 minutes per game.
DANA PHELAN - So. | G | Tappan, NY
Phelan joined the Dolphins last season and factored into the rotation as an outside shooter with the ability to attack the basket when necessary, Phelan averaged just over 5 points per game and connected on 33 threes during her first year with the team providing the Dolphins with valuable floor spacing in the process. With a full season of experience as a major part of the CSI rotation under her belt, the Dolphins hope to see Phelan become an even bigger factor this season.