BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The 2012-13 Campbell University women's basketball schedule was announced on Tuesday by head coach Wanda Watkins. The slate is regionally focused and includes 13 contests at the John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center along with a matchup at ACC-foe Wake Forest and tournaments at East Carolina and North Florida.
"We are excited about the schedule and upcoming season," said coach Watkins. "Our schedule is probably one of the most competitive that we have had in a long time. There are opportunities for us to compete against in-state opponents that are going to challenge us. If we can find our strengths and weaknesses early, then we will be a better team entering the Big South slate."
After opening the campaign with Barber Scotia College on Nov. 10, the Lady Camels head to Western Carolina on Nov. 12 for their first in-state test of the season. North Carolina Central visits Campbell on Nov. 16 for the first of six scheduled men's and women's basketball doubleheaders at the Pope Center.
A trip to Mount Saint Mary's in Emmitsburg, Md., is set for Nov. 19. It is the first time the Lady Camels will face off against a foe from the Northeast Conference.
The ECU Pirate Invitational Thanksgiving Tournament provides the Lady Camels with the challenging task of going up against Appalachian State, a WNIT participant, and host East Carolina on Nov. 24-25. It is the first matchup with East Carolina since 2003 when the teams met on a yearly basis, while Appalachian State last played the Lady Camels in 2010.
Campbell opens the Big South schedule on a Saturday afternoon at UNC Asheville on Dec. 1. Last season, the Lady Camels took both contests against the Bulldogs increasing their advantage in the all-time series to 29-7.
"We really enjoyed the return to the Big South last year," said coach Watkins. "Not only for our fans, but our players enjoyed the easier travel and closer proximity of the schools. It was nice that on a Saturday night on the road, the team could look around and see Camel fans cheering us on. That was a breath of fresh air and something that we are looking forward to this year."
Upon returning home, Columbia College awaits the Lady Camels on Dec. 3 as the contest will start at 11:45 a.m. as a part Education Day, welcoming local schools to Gore Arena. Last season, the second-largest home crowd (2,754) to see a Campbell women's basketball game was announced during the Lady Camels 72-60 win over Winston-Salem State.
With a break in the schedule, the team will focus on exams before traveling to Jacksonville, Fla., for the Osprey Holiday Classic from Dec. 14-15. The schedule to be announced later includes host North Florida, Maryland-Eastern Shore and Jacksonville State.
Coming to Campbell on Dec. 20 is Elon, which edged the Lady Camels 89-88 last season on the road. The all-time series favors the Lady Camels, 17-9.
The final non-conference opponent is Wake Forest on Dec. 20. It is CU's first contest against an ACC-foe since Duke in the 2000 NCAA Tournament. The Camels have faced Wake Forest eight times and hold a 5-3 record with the last meeting being a 67-62 home victory on Dec. 20, 1997.
"This non-conference schedule is a good test for us and our young team," said coach Watkins. "We graduated three dominant players from our program. Some of our younger players are going to have to grow up quickly and be ready to go in this league."
Big South opponents Coastal Carolina (Jan. 3) and Presbyterian (Jan. 5) begin the New Year for Campbell at Gore Arena. The Lady Camels dropped Coastal Carolina once, 47-38, and Presbyterian twice, 53-44 and 68-44, in the program's return to the Big South in 2011-12.
Following a Jan. 7 contest at Gardner-Webb, Campbell returns home to host High Point on Jan. 12. It is the second of consecutive Saturday Campbell basketball doubleheaders.
The Camels head to Longwood, who joined the Big South this year, on Jan. 17. The teams met on the hardwood last year as Campbell secured a 48-33 victory at home. A trip to 2012 regular-season champion Liberty (Jan. 19) is next on the docket as the Lady Camels look to avenge two losses from a year ago.
"With this league, last year was indicative that we have to show up and play one game at a time," said coach Watkins. "We have to be our best on every night because there is so much competition and parody in this league. Each night out, you have to be ready to go, home or away."
A season-long four-game homestand begins on Jan. 24 for Campbell against Radford. The fourth basketball doubleheader of the season puts Winthrop against the Lady Camels on Jan. 26.
The return trip for Liberty (Jan.31) and Longwood (Feb. 2) to the Creek is set for the following week. The Lancers play Campbell at 1 p.m., which is followed by a men's contest against UNC Asheville at 3:30 p.m.
After games at Radford (Feb. 7) and Winthrop (Feb. 9), the Lady Camels play Gardner-Webb on Feb. 14 before hosting senior day on Feb. 16 against UNC Asheville. Seniors Tonisha Baker (High Point, N.C.) and Jazmine Cooper (Fayetteville, N.C.) will be honored prior to their final home game at Gore Arena.
Campbell plays at Presbyterian on Feb. 21 and at Charleston Southern on Feb. 23 before battling High Point in the final regular season contest on Feb. 28.
The 2013 VisitMyrtleBeach.com Big South Basketball Championships from March 5-10 is hosted by Coastal Carolina at the HTC Center, a new 3,200 seat on-campus venue. The format calls for first round games to be played on March 6. Quarterfinal games will be contested on March 8 with the semifinal round on March 9. The championship game is slated for March 10.
"When you get to the tournament, it is like a whole new season," said coach Watkins. "We are preparing now to put ourselves in a good position. Once we get there, the tournament is going to provide a great atmosphere to play in. Myrtle Beach is a great location and a lot of fans will be looking forward to watching our team play."
The Lady Camels welcomed three newcomers into the program in Zena Lovette (High Point, N.C.), Jessica Pone (High Point, N.C.) and Jewell Yarborough (Creedmoor, N.C.). The team has been going through individual workouts since the start of school in August and is set to begin team workouts in the coming weeks.
