43
Trimmer gets shot at point guard
2 others also are vying to replace Benjamin
By Dan Hiner
Youngstown
Today will mark the Youngstown State women’s basketball team’s first game without Indiya Benjamin on the roster since the 2013-14 season.
The Penguins will open their season against Robert Morris at the Beeghly Center tonight, and time moves on for YSU head coach John Barnes and the Penguins.
Benjamin, who graduated following last season, finished first in program history with 629 assists, second with 204 3-pointers and 12th with 1,288 career points.
“Indiya was a big part in everything we did,” Barnes said. “I think she has the record for games played, assists and the 3-point record for a while. With that being said, we’re gonna miss her but we got a lot of hungry players that have really stepped up and [are] excited to get those minutes and help lead the team from the point guard spot.”
Benjamin was an impact player for the Penguins over the last four years. Now Barnes will move forward with some familiar faces and a young freshman at point guard.
West Branch graduate Melinda Trimmer, sophomore Chelsea Olson and freshman Deleah Gibson are all expected to handle the ball.
“The three of them are very capable of getting the job done,” Barnes said. “I’m excited for ‘em.”
Barnes said Trimmer will have a more involved role in the team, but he’ll need to balance everyone’s minutes.
The Penguins will only dress nine players for the foreseeable future, meaning everyone will get extended minutes and depth could be an issue.
YSU has battled through several injuries to key players over the last two years.
Seniors Sarah Cash and Alison Smolinski dealt with injuries last year. Cash was still feeling effects from a knee surgery and Smolinski a fracture in her left foot.
“It was kind of a freak accident last year,” Smolinski said regarding her foot injury. “I kinda just want to go right back to where I left off.”
The Penguins’ new point guards will have the opportunity to get comfortable with two games at home. But the first game won’t be easy.
Robert Morris is coming off a 25-8 season and was picked to win the Northeast Conference this season for the fourth time in the last six years.
The Colonials are 5-16 all-time against YSU, but three of their wins came in the last five meetings.
Junior center Nneka Ezeigbo and sophomore guard Megan Callahan are the Colonials top returning scores. Ezeigbo led Robert Morris with 10.4 points and seven rebounds per game while Callahan scored nine points and shot .383 from 3-point range.
“It’s a big challenge for us, but we’re excited to take it head on and play as hard as we possibly can and see what happens,” Barnes said.