Clayton

SHEPHERDSTOWN — The coaches in the East Division of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference are properly impressed with the veteran Shepherd women’s basketball team. That group voted the Rams as the second-best team in the division, just inches behind Shippensburg and ahead of well-regarded Kutztown, East Stroudsburg and Lock Haven in the nine-team grouping.

The best team on the Shepherd schedule will be Gannon, a team from the West Division and coming to Shepherdstown on Dec. 3 for what might well be a measuring stick for just how competitive both teams are.

Shepherd literally has a “Big Three” of scorers in point guard Abby Beeman, forward/center Sydney Clayton and guard Marley McLaughlin.

Beeman was a near workaholic as a freshman in the 2019-2020 season, when she played like anything but a freshman — scoring 20 points a game, handing out assists in bunches, and rebounding well even from her backcourt position.

Clayton was another anchor of excellence during the same season with her consistent scoring and much-needed rebounding.

Beeman

And McLaughlin made her marks with 20-point efforts, perimeter shooting and calm experience.

And now with the 2019-2020 season becoming a distant memory, the Rams return to the PSAC hardwoods with targets on their backs as the remainder of the league knows how dangerous they can be.

Senior forward Hannah Myers and freshman forward Meghan Shipley have been the other two starters as the Rams have jumped out of the starting gate with wins over Davis & Elkins, Frostburg State and Bowie State in their first three games. A 74-56 win over well-regarded Bowie Sate was Shepherd’s only home game in the first three outings. Myers is a two-year starter because of her intensity and drive.

Coach Jenna Eckleberry has experienced reserves in forward Jordan Smith and guard Cara Minor as well as senior Madi White, who finds a double-figure scoring night when the Rams most need it. Sophomore McKenzie Freeze could add her floor play and scoring at times this season.

League coaches tabbed Shippensburg as the Division favorite because the Red Raiders were 21-9 in 2019-2020. Kutztown finished at 18-11 that season. To become the PSAC champion, Shepherd not only has Gannon and Shippensburg as hurdles, but also nationally recognized Indiana, a team that has shined in the NCAA Division II national tournament in recent years.

McLaughlin

Shepherd opened the season with a 90-61 win over Davis & Elkins in a two-day tournament. Beeman scored 24 points, doled out nine assists and had seven rebounds. Clayton had 15 points and Minor added 10 more off the bench.

In a 72-60 win over Frostburg, it was Beeman with 28 points, Clayton 21 points and McLaughlin adding another 17 points.

On display at the Butcher Center for the first time against Bowie State, the Rams spotted the Bulldogs a 4-0 lead before scoring the next seven points and taking a 21-13 lead after one quarter. The Rams moved out to a double-figure lead by halftime as McLaughlin and Clayton both scored well. McLaughlin completed a 22-point night, while Clayton scored 19 points and claimed 11 rebounds. Beeman was in double figures with 10 points and was credited with 12 assists and eight rebounds as the Rams rebounded well for the first time in three games.

Opponents’ coaches have been impressed by what Shepherd has accomplished in the immediate past . . . now will they be just as impressed with what they do in the 2021-2022 season?