BALTIMORE, Md. – The Notre Dame of Maryland University basketball team will open their 2017-18 season on the road at the Scotty Wood Tournament hosted by Muhlenberg College.  Head Coach Tom Gizzi leads this year's program and is eyeing a Colonial States Athletic Conference playoff spot in his second season.

The Gators are led by their core senior class, including captains Zaria Comer and Ashley Guy.  Last season, Comer earned her first CSAC recognition being named to the CSAC Honorable Mention Team.  She finished the season with 374 points, 184 rebounds, and 50 blocks.  She was first in the CSAC in blocks per game and field-goal percentage while breaking a Notre Dame single-season block record.  She brings leadership on and off the court and will be a force in the paint on both the defensive and offensive ends.  Head Coach Tom Gizzi said, "I expect to see her best play yet in her final season."

Senior Ashley Guy last season was named to the CSAC All-Sportsmanship team for her third-consecutive season.  In 2016-17, she played in every games for Notre Dame and started in all but one.  She will continue her positive leadership and has demonstrated major development throughout the offseason. Guy will play a key role on the defensive end - on the boards and defending the paint.

Senior Dania Taylor is this year's "Floor General" as described by coach Gizzi.  Taylor was last season's team MVP and lead the team in minutes played and steals with 33.9 minutes per game and 39 steals.  As a point guard, Taylor will lead the team throughout the night on both ends. A quiet leader for NDMU, Senior Shelby Cochran will see an increased role for this year's team.  She will see time as a starter in both in the post and on the wing, helping boost the team chemistry on both ends of the court.

Senior Naimani Staley returns to this year's quad for her final season with the Gators.  She brings much depth for Notre Dame as she is a threat both in the post and from long range.  In her supportive role for the Gators, senior Daishawna McNeil has shown much character development as a guard over the offseason and brings with her an unmatched competitive spirit.   Senior Lindsey Webb, enters her second season with the Gators.  She demonstrates her heart and character on and off the court and is the "glue that holds the team together," said coach Gizzi.  Webb will make contributions in the front court on both the offensive and defensive ends. 

This season the Gators have six underclassmen rounding out their roster.  The team returns juniors Justine Mudiay and Justice Walrath who will both see an increased role for the team.  The Gators will look to Mudiay to be a scoring threat while also having tough defensive assignments throughout the season.  Walrath, who suffered a season ending injury last season, returns to the squad bringing with her added experience and commitment.  "We are better with her on the court both in practice and in the games," said coach. 

The offseason yielded the 2017-18 Notre Dame basketball team four new players: Keyeria Dawson, Shabrea Ellison, Taylor Epps, and Adrianna Fletcher.  Coach Gizzi is looking forward to integrating his new players into his team culture.  As this year's freshman get acquainted with the speed of college basketball, the team chemistry will increase.  As the future of the program, Gizzi sees a lot of promise and expects solid contributions from this year's freshman class.

Heading into this season with great momentum, Head Coach Tom Gizzi, expects this year's team to compete at their highest level.  "Starting last season, our student-athletes have put in a lot of hard work on and off the court to make this our most competitive season yet," said Gizzi.  Their team motto "Two Feet," coach mentions will be what gets them to the CSAC Playoffs this season, "Our players have to be in two feet in – all in – no matter what."  He has high expectations for his senior class and sees the future of the program from his underclassman.

The Gators open their 2017-18 season in Allentown, Pennsylvania this weekend at the Scotty Wood Tournament hosted by Muhlenberg College.  They will face Muhlenberg College at 6:00 p.m.  The game can be viewed via live stats and video.