By Jim Hague
Shala Glenn didn’t intend to attend Rutgers-Newark out of Piscataway High School. The energetic Glenn had other options, like Mount Ida, which pursued Glenn heavily, or Stony Brook, which had showed interest, or the University of New Haven, which was the frontrunner.
“Rutgers-Newark was my last choice,” said Glenn, who plays both forward and guard for the Scarlet Raiders. “But the location was great for me. It wasn’t too far from home, but just far enough. When I came here for a visit, I totally enjoyed it. I enjoyed Rutgers-Newark more than I thought I would. I’m glad I came here. I love it here now.”
Glenn is currently playing for her third head coach in three years in Ashley Cieplicki, but feels a certain kinship with the new coach.
“I love her,” Glenn said. “She’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. I think it’s her versatility, being there outside of basketball. She’s positive and open to new things. It’s always tough trying to learn a new system, but she made it work for us.”
Glenn is part of a veteran triumvirate with senior Arianna Williams and junior Maria Simmons that have to score for the Scarlet Raiders if the team hopes to be successful.
“Basically, I had to be another weapon, so I knew I had to work on my outside shot,” Glenn said. “I’m doing better than I did last year, but I could do better. I knew that we’re a big part of the team and our role is to fill the void of others who don’t score. I have to be a go-to player, keep the offense going, keep the energy going. Pretty much, that’s what I do.”
Cieplicki loves what Glenn brings to her team.
“Her strength and her quickness are keys,” Cieplicki said. “She’s super fast when she wants to be. I saw that right away. She’s going to the basket more. Every time she gets a chance, she’s going to the basket. And she can jump through the roof. She’s out of this world as a jumper. She can totally rebound for us. I definitely want her to score in transition. I want her to attack the basket. That’s definitely the game plan for Shala. Her mid-range jump shot has gotten better. Teams are starting to learn that she has a mid-range game.”
Cieplicki also loves Glenn’s defensive approach.
“She can be a good defensive player and she’s definitely done that every game,” Cieplicki said. “She’s always taking on one of the opponent’s best players and I can definitely count on her. She’s one of the quickest players I’ve ever worked with.”
Glenn is majoring in criminal justice at R-N. She hopes to someday become a coroner and knows that will require a stint in medical school.
“I just think it’s different,” Glenn said. “I watch all those crime shows on TV and I loved that. I always wanted to get into the medical field. My mother and father used to work in the field, doing autopsies. I could see myself doing that one day.”
Glenn said that she’s an excellent student.
“My parents wouldn’t have it any other way,” Glenn said. “I wouldn’t be playing if I didn’t have good grades. That would be the backbreaker. My parents worked hard on me to make sure that I could play basketball.”
Glenn is also a character off the court.
“I know when it’s time to be serious, but I try to make my teammates laugh, just to loosen things up,” Glenn said. “I’m really not a joke teller, but I do make them laugh, because they’re not always supposed to be so serious.”
“Her attitude is very good,” Cieplicki said. “She’s the funny one on the team. She makes things a little lighter in practice and makes practice go a little bit easier. It’s really a great thing to have her on the team. I’m truly happy she’s with it. She’s been a great presence.”
And later this month, Glenn hopes she gets some great presents. Ho, ho, ho. Merry Christmas.
