On Nov. 12, 2020, the Monmouth University women’s basketball team announced their latest signings of guard, Emily Jimenez and guard, Antonia Panayides who will join the team in their 2021-22 season.
Hailing from the sunshine state, Emily Jimenez is from Boca Raton, Florida and goes to Cardinal Gibbons. During her junior year, she averaged 11.6 points per game and 4.6 rebounds. In addition to that, she racked up 3.5 assists per game.
Also as an individual player, the Boca Raton native earned Sun Sentinel Second Team All-County and Miami Herald Second Team All-County honors.
She also helped lead her team to their district championship, regional championship, the state Final-Four, and helped earn their season record of 25-4.
Earlier in her high school career, the 5’10” guard led her team at Boca Raton Community High School to a 15-0 record her freshman and sophomore seasons.
With the signing of Antonia Panayides, another Jersey girl will join the Hawks next season. Panayides is from Red Bank and attends Red Bank Catholic where she has been a three-year varsity player.
With an 80.0 free throw percentage, she led her team and is only second on the team with a 51 percent field goal percentage.
Last season, the future Hawk played in all 28 games for her team and averaged 22.0 minutes per game. She racked up 83 assists to 33 turnovers and ended her season with 7.1 points per game. In addition to that, she had a 33 percent three-point percentage.
Not only is she a star on the court, Panayides is a fourth-degree black belt with three Grand Champion Belts in Taekwondo tournaments.
Speaking on the latest addition to the team, Head Coach, Jody Craig said, “Our program got better today in signing Emily and Antonia.”
Coach Craig praised the girls saying, “They are two talented, hard-nosed, and determined young ladies. Their exceptional character and drive will help take us to another level next season.”
With Jimenez and Panayides coming into the program next season, they will have the opportunity to learn from fellow guards, Alexa Wallace, Jen Louro, Destiny Jackson, and Ariana Vanderhoop. No matter what the 2021-22 season has in store, these two power houses will make their impact.
After a recently revised schedule was released, the women’s basketball team will begin their season with a home game on Friday, Dec. 11 against Iona.
PHOTOs COURTESY of Monmouth Athletics
