Hatter Duo Set to Make Fresh Start

Shania Edgecombe and Maria Visone have been waiting a long time to get back on the basketball court. The two college transfers joined the Hatters in the summer of 2019 but had to sit out last season due to NCAA transfer rules.

Now they are looking forward to returning to action on Wednesday when the Hatters host the Florida National Conquistadors in the long-awaited season opener.

"I am a little nervous but definitely excited," Edgecombe said. "I just want to do everything right and contribute to the team in many different ways."

A native of Jacksonville, Edgecombe began her collegiate career at Southern Miss. After one season she transferred to Stetson where she was not only much closer to home, but reunited with her former Ribault High School mates Shanasa Sanders and Day'Neshia Banks.

"I felt that the program was very family-oriented, and that was one of the reasons I chose to come here, too," Edgecombe said.

Visone, meanwhile, also made a return to the Sunshine State. Originally from Italy, Visone played high school ball at Montverde Academy in Orlando and then competed at IMG Academy in Bradenton. She then attended Coastal Carolina where she battled injuries for the better part of two seasons.

"I love being able to come back to Florida," Visone said. "Coach Bria is half Italian so we have a connection there as well."

During their redshirt seasons, Edgecombe and Visone worked hard on improving their skills and practicing on the scout team to help the Hatters prepare for games.

"It was kind of hard because even my freshman year (at Southern Miss) I didn't get in as much, so having to sit out another year made it feel like I haven't played in two years," Edgecombe said. "It was fun to watch my teammates enjoy playing, but kind of sad on the other end of it."

"I think it's really hard to stay motivated when you are not playing, but I felt like they really helped our team last year, even in practice," head coach Lynn Bria said.

After devoting a lot of time to the scout team last season, Visone says she has been enjoying practice a lot more this fall

"It feels great. I feel free," Visone said. "When you are on the scout team, you just have to do what the coach wants you to do, because you are mimicking the other team and you have to be those players. Now I can bond with the team and play with them in the system. So it's just been great."

The long-awaited "first game" is fast approaching for Edgecombe, a 6-1 forward, and Visone, a 5-8 guard. Not only are the players excited, but Bria is looking forward to seeing how the pair will contribute.

"Shania is very athletic, very talented, but she is almost like a freshman because she hasn't played a lot," Bria said. "I still think we are going to need her. We are going to need her to rebound. We are going to need her to play defense for us. I think her outside shot has really improved a lot.

"I think Maria is very skilled all-around," Bria added. "She can do a lot. We can play her on the wing, and we can slide her over to the point. They are both excited to play because it has been so long for them."

The Hatters will host Florida National in the season opener at 2 p.m. Wednesday in a game broadcast live on ESPN+.

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Players Mentioned

#00 Day'Neshia Banks: F; 5' 10"; Senior

#22 Shania Edgecombe: F; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#3 Maria Visone: G; 5' 8"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#00 Day'Neshia Banks
: 5' 10"; Senior
: F

#22 Shania Edgecombe
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: F

#3 Maria Visone
: 5' 8"; Junior
: G

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Hatter Duo Set to Make Fresh Start

Players Mentioned

#00 Day'Neshia Banks

#22 Shania Edgecombe

#3 Maria Visone

Players Mentioned

#00 Day'Neshia Banks

#22 Shania Edgecombe

#3 Maria Visone