The Berkeley College
(NY) Women's Basketball team has solidified itself as one of the United States
Collegiate Athletic Conference's premiere squads, as the Knights are coming off
of their second straight season in which they qualified for at least the
semifinal round of the USCAA National Women's Basketball Tournament. Winning a
National title will once again be the primary goal for Berkeley during the
2014-2015 campaign, and for one member of the women's basketball team –
preparation for achieving that feat is already underway.
Berkeley College
women's basketball player Rodnesha Diamond – who was honored with the
"Coaches Award" at the First Annual Berkeley College Athletic Banquet
this past May – is currently competing in the CBC Championship (Caribebasket).
The CBC Championship is
a FIBA-sponsored basketball tournament in which National teams from the
Caribbean participate. These countries comprise the Caribbean Basketball
Confederation (CBC). The top three or four teams earn berths to the
Centrobasket Championship where those squads compete for sports in the FIBA
Americas Championship. Teams that advance in the FIBA Americas Championship can
qualify for the FIBA World Championships or Olympics. Berkeley College Women's
Basketball Head Coach Sharod Tomlinson believes this experience will greatly
benefit Rodnesha Diamond.
"Rodnesha is
competing against a plethora of great players in these games," Tomlinson
said. "Players that she's going up against have played at the Division I
and II levels, and some of them have professional basketball experience. Having
the opportunity to compete against great players will allow her to display her
talents to the world, and she will gain a tremendous amount of confidence heading
into her upcoming season of basketball at Berkeley College. It will also serve
as a positive life experience for her, as this will increase her leadership
skills as a person. I'm excited for her, and proud of her initiative."
There are currently 24
Caribbean countries that may compete in this event, and the celebration of the
tournament typically takes place every two years. Diamond – who is a native of
St. Vincent – is playing for the St. Vincent and Grenadines teams.
The Berkeley College
women's basketball team will begin its season on the road the weekend of
November 8-9, when the Knights will take on Southern Maine Community College
and the University of Maine-Machias on back-to-back afternoons.
