Reinhardt University

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Reinhardt Enters Season as AAC Favorite With Experienced Core

David Finney | Reinhardt University | Oct 26, 2026

Reinhardt University women’s basketball enters the 2026-27 season ranked first in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) preseason coaches poll, with experienced guards and perimeter shooting shaping the Eagles’ outlook. The program has finished among the conference’s top three teams in each of the past three seasons. Reinhardt opens against Lindsey Wilson at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at the Brown Athletic Center, with a pregame pep rally planned as part of Homecoming Week.

Tony Campbell, head coach

Despite losing three starters and some great players from last year, we are very excited about our team this year. One of these starters returning this year is I’ziah McCutchins. I’ziah was AAC First Team All-Conference last year and has worked hard over the summer to improve again. Also returning at point guard is Laphina Campbell. Laphina tore her Achilles before the start of last year and was AAC Second-Team All-Conference the year before. I truly believe that our point guard rotation will be the best not only in the conference, but in all of NAIA basketball.

Head coach Tony Campbell must replace three starters while incorporating freshmen and transfers into a team that has reached the conference tournament championship game twice in the past three seasons. Assistants Tarrah Gibson, James Black and MJ Steele round out the coaching staff as the Eagles prepare to build around two returning starters and several players accustomed to substantial minutes.

Tony Campbell, head coach

We also have McKinley Brothers, who was Iziah’s backup last year and is progressing well. She will also play the wing at times. Speaking of wings, we have Audrey Ekoue-Bla returning this year. Audrey is a great two-way player & though she did not start, Audrey played starter minutes and is looking better than ever recovering from an ACL injury that happened her senior year in high school.

Returning starter I’ziah McCutchins leads the backcourt after earning first-team All-AAC honors last season. Point guard Laphina Campbell returns after an Achilles tear before last season; Campbell earned second-team All-AAC recognition the previous year. McKinley Brothers, who backed up McCutchins last season, provides another backcourt option and can also contribute on the wing.

Tony Campbell, head coach

Along with Audrey, we have a host of shooters: Taylor Collins, Trea Blalock, and Sophia D’Amaro. They all play the right way and are excellent shooters from beyond the arc. Joy Harris is another wing that has looked great so far this preseason. She is a transfer from Clayton State that can do a lot of things on the offensive end of the floor.

Audrey Ekoue-Bla brings two-way experience on the wing after playing starter-level minutes last season while continuing to recover from an ACL injury suffered during high school. Taylor Collins, Trea Blalock and Sophia D’Amaro supply shooting from beyond the arc. Clayton State transfer Joy Harris adds another offensive option on the wing.

Tony Campbell, head coach

Our other returning starter is Chloe Van Dyke at the Power Forward position who continues to get better every day. Chloe was on the AAC All-Freshman Team in her first year, and we expect an even better season from her this year. Her older sister, Lana VanDyke, will play big minutes this year at center. This will be Lana‘s first year officially starting, but she has started many games in the past and has played starter-level minutes since she has been at Reinhardt. I believe Lana has been the best defensive center in the conference since she has been here and she has done a lot to improve her overall game.

Chloe Van Dyke returns at power forward after earning AAC All-Freshman honors. Van Dyke’s older sister, Lana VanDyke, is expected to move into the regular starting role at center after making spot starts and logging substantial minutes in previous seasons. The head coach has highlighted VanDyke’s defense and overall development. Greater Atlanta Christian product Jermani Govani offers depth in the post, while Maya Crawford brings athleticism, defense and rebounding to the center rotation.

Tony Campbell, head coach

Behind Lana is local high school post from Greater Atlanta Christian (GAC), Jermani Govani. Jermani will spell Lana and has a very solid all-around game. Maya Crawford will also play some minutes at center. She is athletic, tough, and a great defender and rebounder. Along with them, we also have two very athletic transfers that both play the wing. Yasmin Cook, from Coker University, and Angelene Simmons, from Georgia Highlands Junior College. Both of them will most likely be seen sometime during the second semester.

Reinhardt also expects two transfer wings to contribute sometime during the second semester. Yasmin Cook arrives from Coker University, and Angelene Simmons joins the Eagles from Georgia Highlands Junior College. Both bring athleticism to a perimeter group that will gain additional options as the season progresses.

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David Finney

Oct 26, 2026

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