Lady Camels counting on Murphy to shine

By Jaclyn Shambaugh
Correspondent

Reprinted with Permission

Marlena Murphy has known her role for the Campbell women's basketball team since the start of preseason workouts.

As one of two starters back from last year, Murphy is being counted on to carry the team.

"In the beginning, I was putting a little too much pressure on myself," said Murphy, a 6-foot senior center. "But I do feel like I have to step up and carry some more weight than others. You always want to finish stronger than how you started."

Murphy, a former Jack Britt High School standout, was one of the few bright spots in the Camels' disappointing 2006-07 season. The Camels finished 8-21 overall and 6-12 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Murphy led the team in scoring, averaging 12.1 points per game, and rebounds, with 9.4 per game.

She was named to the All-Atlantic Sun Conference first team, becoming the first women's basketball player from Campbell to receive the honor in five years.

"Two years ago, no one knew who Marlena Murphy was," said head coach Wanda Watkins. "And now she's deemed one of the top five players in the conference. She's playing the best basketball I've ever seen her play."

Murphy will once again be teamed with senior forward Maggie Rich in the Camels' frontcourt.

"We have a post connection, so that the high-low offense is working well," Murphy said.

Rich has been troubled with a nagging back injury from the start of her career, and the forward was limited in her play last season because of the injury.

"Maggie is a versatile player who can play inside, outside, has great range on the perimeter," Watkins said. "Right now, she is healthy, and her health is a key for us."

While Campbell has just two members of last year's starting lineup back this season, 11 players in all are returning, which means the Camels aren't as young as they might appear.

"I know we lost a lot of key people, a lot of scoring," Watkins said. "I think in some areas, we'll be inexperienced, but we have a good core coming back."

Print Friendly Version