ELON, N.C. – Senior Day for the Elon University women's basketball team featured four seniors in the starting lineup, as
Maya Johnson,
Vanessa Taylor,
Ajia James and
Jessica Booth celebrated their last home game in the maroon and gold on Saturday.
Unfortunately for the Phoenix, the Drexel Dragons were the ones emerging from the fire, flaming nine of their first 12 shots. The Dragons managed to hold off Elon 56-43 in the last regular season game before traveling to Washington D.C. for the CAA Tournament, which will begin Wednesday. However, the Phoenix had a chance to honor its four seniors before the game in a special ceremony at Schar Center.
All photos taken by Aidan Blake
Maya Johnson
A five-year player for the Phoenix, Maya Johnson has been a pillar for the team, commanding the paint on both sides of the court. The 6-foot forward out of Southeast Raleigh High School quickly became a valuable and versatile piece for the Phoenix. In her freshman year at Elon, Johnson started in 29 of the 30 games she played in, immediately flashing her defensive talent to coaches Charlotte Smith and Josh Wick. In her 116 games wearing maroon and gold, Johnson embodied the Phoenix culture, and helped to establish a foundation, both as a leader and player.
Vanessa Taylor
Team captain Vanessa Taylor, a Norrköping, Sweden native, began her collegiate career in the 2019-2020 season at Elon. After seeing just 73 total minutes of action in eight games as a freshman, Taylor started 56 of her next 81 career games, averaging 24 minutes a contest. Taylor's antagonizing perimeter defense and moon-ball threes were crucial for the Phoenix throughout her career, but her off the court presence and leadership may have been the most important for the program. Taylor became a leader and role model, bringing determination and focus to set the standard for the team.
"Stability, " Smith said, describing what Taylor and Johnson have brought to the Phoenix. "Stability for our program, stability for our culture. I didn't even second guess bringing them back because I knew they were the foundation of our program and will be great examples and leaders for our younger players"
"They've been pillars for our program over the last five years," Smith added.
Taylor leaves behind a positive legacy for the Phoenix and integral shoes to fill. Her 722 minutes and 36 steals this year were both the second most on the team. Her five swipes at Campbell, on top of her 10 points and eight rebounds, fueled a conference victory, as she has ignited the team on and off the court her entire Elon career.
"I just love Elon, I love our coaching staff, I love our teammates," Taylor said.
Ajia James
Ajia James, a high school all-American at Bishop O'Connell in Arlington, Virginia, has brought her calmness and guidance to the Phoenix, along with her silky smooth jump shot. Since transferring to Elon after an impressive season at St. Peter's in 2021, James has launched 310 threes in her three years at Elon, sinking 89 in just 71 games played. Her 47 cashes from downtown lead the team in the 2023-24 season.
"I love putting on the Elon jersey, it means so much," James said. "Yesterday, we had a guest speaker and he talked about playing for what's on the front of the jersey and on the back. So, just putting that jersey on, knowing I'm playing for Elon and playing for myself, it is just so much fun."
Jessica Booth
Jessica Booth transferred to Elon to join the Phoenix for her fifth year of eligibility, after spending the previous four at Lafayette College. At Lafayette, Booth averaged 9.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists, starting in 58 of her 60 games in Easton, Pennsylvania. This year at Elon, Booth showcased her ambition and passion as an active vocal leader. She started 11 of 16 available games, displaying her physicality and ability in her one year donning the maroon and gold. She scored a season-high 12 points in a road win at Georgia State.
'Rising Phoenix' is a new student-led initiative to cover Elon Athletics. Through innovative content creation and storytelling, Elon University students will have the opportunity to highlight the moments, people and events that make an impact, leveraging the athletic department's various web and social media platforms for distribution. Follow Rising Phoenix on Twitter (@EURisingPhoenix) and Instagram (@elonrisingphoenix). Interested in joining this initiative as a content creator (video, graphics, writing, storytelling, or more)? Contact Jacob Kisamore at jkisamore@elon.edu.
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