2025-26 Women’s Basketball Season Preview
Middletown, NY - Micah Brand is entering his fifth season as the Head Coach of the SUNY Orange women's basketball program. He is counting on the team's growth and maturity to bring them back to the Region XV Championship game for the third straight year.
Micah Brand states "We are a more mature team than we have been in the past.They are competitive and push each other to make progress everyday."
The Colts return with three sophomores in Rayanna Quintana (Eldred, NY/Eldred), Adriana Vazquez (Newburgh, NY/John S. Burke), and Adriana Joy (Florida, NY/S.S. Seward Institute) who are set to take on larger roles this year. "Rayanna is a top defender who led the press and has put in the work to become a much improved shooter," says Coach Brand. "Adriana has become more acclimated to the college game and has greatly improved on defense."
Vazquez returns after a standout freshman season in which she earned multiple Mid-Hudson Conference Player of the Week honors and was ultimately named First Team All-Region after leading the Colts in scoring, averaging 12.1 points a game.
Joining the Colts as freshmen are Madison Olsen (Wappingers Falls, NY/Roy C. Ketcham), Francesca Scialo (Middletown,NY/Minisink Valley), Amanda Watkins (Pine Bush, NY/Pine Bush),Genesis Suazo (Brooklyn, NY/Simmons Career Center), Jada Reed (Eldred, NY/Eldred), Keyera Staples (New Windsor, NY/Newburgh Free Academy) and Grace Breheny (Cornwall, NY/Cornwall Central)
Coach Brand shared that each of these players bring a unique skill set and mentality that will elevate the team. "Madison is a solid all around player who has a high basketball IQ and can finish or stretch the floor. Francesca is a steady player who brings depth to our perimeter. Amanda will add to defense, she is a good finisher and very competitive, Genesis is athletic with high energy and a solid shot. Jada is a tough point guard with good instincts, Keyera is a high level on ball defender with a streaky range from the three point line, and Grace is a competitive, hard nosed, dirty-work type player, and good finisher around the basket."
Brand adds "With the change in landscape of the conference, the conference and region championship is up for grabs. But it's going to take consistent intentionality to get us there."
The Colts open their 2025-26 campaign on the road at Hudson Valley Community College on November 6 at 5:00 PM. They start Region XV play at home on November 18 against Westchester Community College at 5:00 PM.