MAYS LANDING – Fresh off of a trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 19 playoffs semifinals last season, the Atlantic Cape Community College Buccaneers women’s basketball team enters a rebuilding season in 2026-27 with returning Garden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) Player of the Year Rainelle Blocker leading the way.
The Buccaneers finished the 2025-26 season with a 15-8 overall record and defeated the Community College of Philadelphia, 69-58, in the quarterfinals before falling to Passaic County Community College in the semis. It was a momentous season which saw Blocker also earn All-GSAC First Team and All-Region 19 First Team honors. Fellow teammate Angelina Bell was named to the All-GSAC Second Team in her final season as Buccaneer.
“Last season was a tremendous success and arguably one of the best seasons in Atlantic Cape women's basketball history. We tied for the best record in the conference and fell just two wins short of bringing the championship back to Atlantic Cape. It was a special season for our program, and I'm proud of what we accomplished,” said Head Coach Ricky White, Jr., who enters his second season at the helm.
The 2026-27 season is a year of change for the Buccaneers after the departures of six student-athletes to graduation - Bell, Millinda Marigliano, Allison Giraldo, Lanique Brice, Alexandra Montoya and Samantha Cosme.
“I'm excited about this season. Last year was my first as head coach and I learned a lot through that experience. This season, I plan to take what I learned, correct some of the areas where we struggled and continue building a successful women's basketball program,” said White, Jr.
Coming off of her dominant freshman season, Blocker (Clayton, NJ) will be counted upon to lead this young team on offense and defense through the grind of the NJCAA season. Last season, she averaged 25 points, 11 rebounds and four assists per game while also finishing second in the nation as a freshman in points and steals.
“Rainelle (left) is our leader and the backbone of this team. Her performance and effort will set the standard for everyone else. I expect Rainelle to continue the dominance she displayed last season. Her leadership and work ethic will be important to our success. When she sets the tone and plays hard, the rest of the team follows her lead. With the attention she will receive this season, it will be important for the other players to step up and make their own contributions,” said White, Jr.
Two additional returning sophomores – Carol Taina McLaurin (bottom right) and Laziah Wilson – will provide experience and poise for a team that features grit, toughness and competitive spirit. McLaurin (Absecon, NJ) will be expected to be a key defensive leader while Wilson (Egg Harbor Township, NJ), a former standout volleyball student-athlete who has transitioned well into basketball, brings rebounding prowess, athleticism and toughness to the court.
The team’s remaining depth will come from three freshmen student-athletes – Aminah Mullins, Shayna Ramos and Kimberly Torres – who are ready to experience the increased pace and demands of the college basketball game.
Mullins (Pleasantville, NJ) has the ability to stretch the floor with her shooting while also creating scoring chances by driving to the basket. White, Jr. believes Mullins’ offensive versatility will make a positive impact on the team.
Ramos (Egg Harbor Township, NJ) is a tough and competitive player, according to White, Jr., who will be looked upon to make an impact to the team’s success. Torres (Atlantic City, NJ) is a point guard with the ability to control the pace of the on-court game while contributing at both ends of the court. White, Jr. will look to her for leadership and management of the team’s offensive game this season.
“Our goal is to make a deep playoff run this season, but most importantly, I want us to finish the season healthy. I want this team to set the tone from the opening game through the playoffs. We must play hard, compete for every possession and believe in one another. If we do that, we will have an opportunity to make history,” said White, Jr. “I'm looking forward to seeing this team grow, compete, and represent Atlantic Cape with pride. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but our goal is clear: play hard, stay together, and make history.
The Buccaneers, who opened its season on November 3 with a 60-45 loss to Brookdale Community College and a 65-47 defeat to Rowan College of South Jersey, will play its first home game of the new season on November 10 against Camden County College.
Visit atlanticcape.edu/womensbasketball for schedule, results, roster and coaches’ information.
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About Atlantic Cape Community College
Established in 1964, Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States-accredited, Hispanic-serving institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers more than 50 undergraduate degree programs and 34 certificate and workforce development professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City, and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and to its highly acclaimed Nursing program for more than 60 years. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.
