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Women's Basketball

Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Champions
1987, 1988, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

NJCAA Region IV Champions
1987, 1988

NJCAA Region IV Runners-Up
2007, 2009

March 16, 2012
Cyclones end 20-plus win season in playoffs

Maybe there was too much talent on the Cyclone squad, but despite an earlier than desired end to the season in playoffs, the team had a lot to be proud of this season.

With a last string of wins, the Cyclones advanced to the NJCAA Region IV finals against Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference rival Prairie State College, narrowly losing the matchup 58-53 on March 10. Although the loss halted the season, Moraine Valley finished with a 24-9 record, continuing their streak of 20-plus win seasons.

“We had a solid season, but this ending was not what we wanted. We were getting it together near the end, but not enough. Still, we finished with a 24-9 record and were ranked 18th in the nation,” said coach Delwyn Jones. “We never had all five of our key players on the court at one time because of injury. Even under those circumstances it still wasn’t a bad season. We had high expectations—to win conference and region—and when you don’t get that it seems like a major failure, but when you step back and look at our ranking and 24 wins, it’s an accomplishment.”

The Cyclones had players who could score from the inside or outside and had good height in the middle, and everyone learned from each other in a variety of ways that they hopefully will apply to life, Jones said. He hopes this year’s freshmen will take these lessons and bring them back next season. Jones anticipates five or six returners and already has a group of recruits.

Several athletes received honors for their action on the court including sophomore Kim Young (Argo) who was named to the All-Region IV and All-Conference first teams and freshman Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) who made All-Region and All-Conference second teams. Loretta Burton (Crete-Monee) and Natalina Cifaldi (Lake Park) also had nods to the All-Conference second team. Jessica Contant (Stagg) and Valerie Zulevic (Mother McAuley) were recognized with nods to the All-Region tournament team.

March 11, 2012
Cyclones' playoff run hits wall

The Cyclones weren't ready to pack it in March 10 against Prairie State College at the NJCAA Region IV finals, but they dropped a narrow 58-53 decision to end their playoff run and season.

Both teams battled for the entire 40-minute matchup. The first half never saw either team lead by more than four, ending in a 23-point tie at halftime. Defense was tight all round, causing the offensive drought. Jessica Contant (Stagg) led Moraine Valley in scoring at the half with eight points while Val Zulevic (Mother McAuley) chipped in with six.

The Cyclones jumped on the lead early in the second half, going up by nine points, but the Pioneers pushed back. With 5:30 left in regulation play, Moraine Valley took a 49-40 lead. However, four of the last six possessions resulted in turnovers that would do the Cyclones in down the stretch. Turnovers have plagued the Cyclones all season long, which came back to bite the team at the worst time. Prairie State capitalized on that by hitting some big shots, including a 3-pointer with a minute to go.

"We were disappointed in the loss, but had a good year finishing 24-9 overall and making the regional championship game, but just falling short," said coach Delwyn Jones.

Contant finished the night with 23 points and Zulevic had 12 points and 10 rebounds to lead the way. Natalina Cifaldi (Lake Park) led with eight assists. Contant and Zulevic made the All-NJCAA Region IV tournament first team.

March 5, 2012
Cyclones headed to finals

In what could have been more of a nail-biter turned out to be a huge victory for Moraine Valley on March 3 as they crushed South Suburban College, 71 -43, in the NJCAA Region IV semi-finals. With this latest win, the Cyclones move into the finals against conference foe Prairie State College on Saturday.

Seeded fourth, Moraine Valley had to contend with number-one-seeded South Suburban, a team they had lost to earlier this season. The game was expected to be a battle, but the Cyclones had other plans as they jumped on the Bulldogs from the start with an 8-0 run. South Suburban fought back to tie it up, but Moraine Valley resurged and built a double-digit lead quickly thanks to the scoring magic of Jessica Contant (Stagg), who came off the bench. Contant first hit a 3-pointer, then drove the lane and was fouled which resulted in two nailed free throws before she hit another three early on. She scored 17 points to help the Cyclones lead 38-21 at halftime. Although Contant nearly outscored South Suburban by herself, she had plenty of help from seven other teammates to lead a balanced attack. Val Zulevic (Mother McAuley) also was hurting the Bulldogs inside with six points and five rebounds.

In the second half, the lead began to swell as the Cyclones totaled 16 assists on 22 baskets. Holding South Suburban to 10 offensive rebounds was key to this victory, said coach Delwyn Jones.

Contant finished the night with 21 points in only 13 minutes of play. She also had six rebounds, a blocked shot and two steals. Zulevic finished with 12 points and six rebounds while Shekela Quarles (Richards) snatched 10 boards. Natalina Cifaldi (Lake Park) had 10 points, six assists, four rebounds, and a steal.

March 2, 2012
Narrow win leads to semi-finals

In a game that would determine their fate in the playoffs, the Cyclones narrowly ousted Oakton Community College March 1 in the NJCAA Region IV quarter-finals to advance to the semi-finals. Thanks to a last second 3-pointer, the Cyclones won 59-57.

The game went back and forth until the very end, but Moraine Valley led for good portions of the game. Oakton found a way to get a 57-56 lead with 3.6 seconds left on the clock and the Cyclones possessing the ball out of bounds near their basket. After the Cyclones called a play, the ball wound up in Jessica Contant's (Stagg) hand via an assist from Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) and Contant banked the winning 3-point shot as time expired.

Foley led the Cyclones with 19 points including five 3-point shots. Although several Cyclones had the flu and other players were under the weather, the team found a way to persevere and come out victorious.

February 17, 2012
'Clones earn win before playoffs

It was a strong end to a bumpy regular season for the Cyclones. The team won 70-45 on Feb. 16 over Oakton Community College, an improvement over their last meeting two weeks ago when the Cyclones squeaked out a 49-45 victory.

Moraine Valley was down 17-8 early, but came roaring back with a 12-0 run to stay ahead the rest of the game. At the half, the Cyclones led 35-26 and slowly expanded that lead. Another 10-0 run towards the end of the game solidified the victory.

Kim Young (Argo) had impressive numbers with five 3-point shots, and led the team in scoring with 20 points. Tempestt Reynolds (Bloom) has been struggling with injuries all season long, but finally seems ready to go 100 percent evidenced by her 3-for-4 shooting from the 3-point line. She finished with 11 points, four rebounds and three assists. Reynolds is five for her last six from the arc and is shooting 48 percent in the second half of the season and in conference play. Val Zulevic (Mother McAuley) controlled the boards with 12 rebounds and has continued her recent steady play as well. Natalina Cifaldi (Lake Park) had another all-around game with six points, eight rebounds and four assists.

February 15, 2012
Free throws hurt Cyclones in narrow loss

There wasn't much love Feb. 14 for the Cyclones who were narrowly defeated in overtime 58-55 by Prairie State College.

Both teams battled all night with the Cyclones leading 24-23 at the half. In the second half both squads had the chance to stretch leads, but each time the other team fought back. The Cyclones could have won it in regulation, but didn't get a good look at the rim before overtime. In the extra minutes, the Pioneers scored the first five points, but the Cyclones battled back with a chance to tie. Prairie State stole the long inbounds pass which led to their win. Free throws did the Cyclones in as they went 11-for-20 from the stripe.

Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) led the team in scoring with 17 points, including four 3-pointers. Val Zulevic (Mother McAuley) had a solid game with 11 points and seven rebounds. Shekela Quarles (Richards) added eight rebounds and a blocked shot.

February 12, 2012
Cyclones stop Wolves

The Cyclones found some groove and broke their losing skid Feb. 11 in a 76-69 win over Joliet Junior College.

Moraine Valley started out slow against the Wolves, falling behind 20-8, but a steady and methodical comeback was forthcoming. With Val Zulevic (Mother McAuley) leading the way in the post with a double-double and Shekela Quarles (Richards) playing powerful defense and rebounding, the Cyclones won the game in the paint. When the Cyclones' perimeter game started clicking, they were able to take the lead in the second half for the victory.

Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) led in scoring with 14 points, going 3-for-6 from the 3-point line while Kim Young (Argo) added 13 points with a few driving layups. Zulevic dominated in the post with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Quarles was on fire defensively with six points and six rebounds. Natalina Cifaldi (Lake Park) added 10 points and provided steady play at the point.

February 8, 2012
Cyclones stalled by fouls

In nearly two weeks, the Cyclones have maintained a perfect record and went into their battle Feb. 7 against Elgin Community College with a win on their mind. They narrowly missed that chance, losing a painful 64-61.

Elgin started the game with an administrative technical because all five starters were not listed in the book; a rule that had yet to be enforced this season. With that technical foul on their side, the Cyclones fought hard and jumped to a 5-2 lead. Both teams traded the lead before a last second basket at the buzzer by Natalina Cifaldi (Lake Park) helped give Moraine Valley a 29-23 advantage at the half.

A 13-6 run to start the second half put the Cyclones up 42-29 with 13 minutes to go. Moraine Valley maintained their lead with six minutes left until Elgin went on a run of their own to surge ahead. A bucket by Cifaldi and another by Jessica Contant (Stagg) cut the lead with the Cyclones down 62-61. An untimely Cyclone turnover with 20 seconds on the clock sealed their fate, and a forced foul locked in the loss.

"Elgin had only six fouls called on them for the entire game while the Cyclones had 29 fouls. The free throw disparity played a major role in the loss," said coach Delwyn Jones. "However, the energy level by the Cyclones was good enough to win the game. I am proud of my player's efforts and I think they earned a win, but the results show otherwise."

Raven Phillips (Bloom) led the surge with a double-double, 14 points and 19 rebounds, in addition to five blocks. She dominated the paint all night. Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) had 14 points with four 3-pointers while Cifaldi also had 14 points and four assists.

February 7, 2012
Two Cyclones named to Academic All-District team

Guard Brittany Bixman (Stagg) and forward Rebecca Theriault (Sandburg) were recently named to the College Sports Information Directors of America Capital One Academic All-District women's basketball team in the District 3 College Division. Players are nominated and chosen based on their GPA and basketball stats. They will be automatically entered on the ballot for the Academic All-America team.

February 6, 2012
Cyclones win, move up in conference ranks

In their 11th blowout of the season, the Cyclones overwhelmed College of Lake County Feb. 4 with a dominating 65-34 win that also moved the team into second place in the conference. Moraine Valley has won 11 games by more than 20 points, five of which were won by more than 30.

Getting off to a slow start, the Cyclones were down 6-2 before their onslaught began. With the second unit subbed in for the starting five, the Cyclones went on an 18-1 run and kept on trucking until the 35-19 halftime lead. The second half was more of the same with the lead stretching out until the end.

Kim Young (Argo) led the attack with 17 points, including four 3-pointers, followed by Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) with 13 points and three 3-pointers. Becca Theriault (Sandburg) and Loretta Burton (Crete-Monee) each had 10 buckets. Burton also led the team with seven rebounds and chipped in with three assists, four steals and a blocked shot.

With the win and a Prairie State College (7-3) loss, the Cyclones (8-2) moved into second place in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference, only one game behind Elgin Community College (9-1). A battle for first place between the top two teams will take place Tuesday, Feb. 7, on the Spartan's court.

February 3, 2012
Cyclones rain 3-pointers for win

The Cyclones capitalized on their 3-point shooting ability to cap their fourth straight win Feb. 2 over McHenry County College 82-57.

Moraine Valley came out of the gates fast as Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) hit her first three 3-pointers to lead the charge. The lead quickly ballooned as the Cyclones went into the half ahead 46-19. With less pressure in the second half, the Cyclones coasted to the victory.

Foley was a force to be reckoned with on the court, scoring 22 points, 18 of which came from behind the arc. Kim Young (Argo) added all her 12 points on 3-pointers. Becca Theriault (Sandburg) chipped in with nine points while Natalina Cifaldi (Lake Park) added six points, leading the team with eight assists. The Cyclones totaled 13 3-point shots for the evening.

February 1, 2012
Cyclones find their rhythm

The Cyclones were back in fine form Jan. 31, grabbing their third straight conference win with a 64-42 victory over Morton College.

Moraine Valley jumped out early with a 19-4 start and never looked back, leading 35-13 at the half. With the Cyclones attacking the basket consistently and a defensive pressure that has been lacking this season, the lead began to swell. The Panthers had a brief 10-0 run in the second half to cut the lead to 12, but the Cyclones' final 14-2 push put the game away.

Raven Phillips (Bloom) led the charge with 18 points and 10 rebounds for the double-double. Kim Young (Argo) scored 10, including two 3-pointers, while Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) and Shekela Quarles (Richards) each scored eight. Loretta Burton (Crete-Monee) played an all-around game with eight points, five assists, six rebounds, and two blocked shots.

January 29, 2012
Cyclones top Lancers

Looking more like the Cyclones of old, the team coasted to a hefty 71-49 blowout Jan. 28 against College of Lake County.

Moraine Valley came out of the gate smoking with a 22-4 run and ran up the score to 41-24 at the half. A 14-4 run by the Lancers early in the second half cut the lead to 11, but the Cyclones immediately went on a scoring rampage to close out the game.

Loretta Burton (Crete-Monee) had a big night with 14 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) and Kim Young (Argo) each tallied 13; Young had three 3-pointers in the game. Shekela Quarles (Richards) added seven points, eight rebounds and two blocks.

January 27, 2012
Cyclones edge out Oakton

In a defensive dogfight Jan. 26, the Cyclones came out on top with a 49-45 win over Oakton Community College.

Both teams took a number of shots throughout the game, but Oakton led 22-17 at the half. The score continued back and forth before Oakton started pulling away midway through the second half. But the Cyclones would not relent. Thanks to Loretta Burton's (Crete-Monee) energy and Brittany Bixman's (Stagg) point barrage, the Cyclones unleashed a 19-2 run to give them a 42-38 lead. Oakton tied the score at 45, but a key steal and bucket by Bixman and free throws by Natalina Cifaldi (Lake Park) and Becca Theriault (Sandburg) sealed the victory.

Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) was the big scorer for the night with 13 points including three 3-pointers followed by Bixman with 11 points, all of which came in the last eight minutes of the game. Shekela Quarles (Richards) continued her stellar work on the boards with 13 rebounds.

January 25, 2012
Shooting woes continue to plague Clones

The Cyclones had trouble finding the rim Jan. 24 against conference foe Prairie State College, resulting in a final 62-50 loss.

Moraine Valley was simply outplayed in this game. Problems started when center Raven Phillips (Bloom) picked up her third foul around the 14-minute mark in the first half and had to sit out the remainder of the half. With Jessica Contant (Stagg) out, the Cyclones' best players at attacking the basket were absent, which contributed to the offensive struggles, said coach Delwyn Jones. Although Moraine Valley went 6-for-16 from the 3-point line, the 10-for-44 inaccuracy from inside the arc was the deciding blow. The Cyclones had only nine assists for the game, which points to a lack of ball movement.

For the fourth consecutive game, Kim Young (Argo) led in scoring, but was held to just 10 points. Loretta Burton (Crete-Monee) brought some energy and led in rebounding with 13 and chipped in with seven baskets. Tempestt Reynolds (Bloom) had nine points, going 3-for-5 from the 3-point line.

January 20, 2012
Cyclones find their stride

After some shooting struggles in their last two matchups, the Cyclones ended a two-game losing streak Jan. 19 with a 65-59 victory over Waubonsee Community College.

Another slow start put the Cyclones at an 11-4 deficit before they went on a 10-0 run to lead 14-13. The insertion of Kim Young (Argo), Loretta Burton (Crete-Monee) and Raven Phillips (Bloom) led the surge as each made baskets once on the court, Young with two 3-pointers and Burton and Phillips each with a hoop. With the score tied at 14, the Cyclones went on another 14-0 run to lead 28-14, this time with help from Jasmin Harris (Stagg), Phillips and the three-point shooting of Young, Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) and Tempestt Reynolds (Bloom). By halftime the Cyclones were up 31-24.

The Chiefs battled throughout the game and tied it up a few times, but never had a lead. With each tied score in the game, the Cyclones responded with a 3-pointer that built the lead for the eventual win.

Young finished with 18 points, including six 3-pointers. Burton had 12 points with a number of impressive drives to the basket. Reynolds added 11 points with three 3-pointers. Foley also had three 3-pointers while Shekela Quarles (Richards) pulled down 16 rebounds.

January 18, 2012
Cyclones take a beating

For the first time this season the Cyclones were held to less than 50 points, something they usually do to their opponents. Moraine Valley fell 67-49 on Jan. 17 to conference rival Elgin Community College

The Cyclones were down from the onset but crept back in contention. With 2:23 left in the first half, Loretta Burton (Crete-Monee) tied the game at 25 after a steal. Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) shot a go-ahead 3-pointer which gave the Cyclones the first lead of the game, but some clean shots and a foul to the Spartans just before halftime pushed them ahead 31-28. After that point, the Cyclones struggled to score, had a number of turnovers and were in foul trouble.

Kim Young (Argo) was the big scorer of the night with 16 points, 12 of which were 3-point shots. Foley shot four 3-pointers and was the only other Cyclone to score in the double digits on the night.

January 15, 2012
Shooting woes for Cyclones yield loss

In only their fourth loss of the season, the Cyclones' typically stealth shooting faltered Jan. 14 in a 67-54 loss to South Suburban College.

With the Cyclones down 26-25 at the half, a 5-0 run to start the second half gave Moraine Valley a 30-26 lead. The Cyclones maintained a lead until the 8:30 mark when a 3-point shot put the Bulldogs ahead. The game went back and forth and was close until South Suburban went on a 17-2 run to put the game away. Full court pressure, intentional fouls, missed layups, and poor perimeter shooting did the Cyclones in this time.

Kim Young (Argo) led in scoring with 16 points. Ashley Corner (Bremen), in her third game of the year, had a big night with 10 points, 20 rebounds, two assists, and a blocked shot. Natalina Cifaldi (Lake Park) had 10 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Becca Theriault (Sandburg) also finished with 10 points and gave a major spark off the bench with her slashing baskets.

January 11, 2012
Clones dominate Scots

It may have been another slow start to the game Jan. 10, but the Cyclones quickly racked up the points against McHenry County College for a monster 99-48 win.

The score was close early on in the first half, but a 20-2 run put the game away. At halftime the Cyclones led 51-18. Moraine Valley continued tacking on points by scoring on several fast breaks and heating up from the 3-point line.

Six Cyclones scored in double digits, including Kim Young (Argo), who continued to shoot the ball well from the perimeter and led the team with 19 points. Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) scored 12 while Tempestt Reynolds (Bloom) added 11 points and six assists. Dena Hammad (Argo) and Stephanie Karl (Lockport) had season highs with 10 points each. Becca Theriault (Sandburg) also banked 10. Shaneka Boyd (Rich South) and Shekela Quarles (Richards) each led in rebounding with six.

January 9, 2012
Cyclones grab fifth straight

The Cyclones started conference play on the right foot, increasing their win streak to five with a 71-49 victory over Morton College on Jan. 8. This was the sixth game where Moraine Valley held the opponent to less than 50 points.

The Achilles heel for the Cyclones against a feisty Morton College has been the first half. Moraine Valley struggled early on and was down 14-9 with 4:35 to go. However, the Cyclones stunned the Panthers with a 13-1 run and full court press to lead at the half. Key 3-pointers by Tempestt Reynolds (Bloom) and Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) and the aggressive play of Loretta Burton (Crete-Monee) attacking the basket with six free throw attempts led the surge. The second half was steady with Moraine Valley primarily holding a 10 to 15 point lead. Another end of the half run was the final blow for Morton as the Cyclones took a commanding 69-45 lead and finished with the win.

Balanced scoring once again was the answer as Foley led the team with 12 points. Brittany Bixman (Stagg) scored 11 and kept the pressure on Morton throughout the game with her ability to force the offensive action. Burton has finally begun to find her way with another solid performance, scoring 10 points and grabbing four rebounds and four steals. In her debut with the Cyclones, 6'3" center Ashley Corner (Bremen) finished with 10 points, led with eight rebounds and had three blocks to control the inside. Natalina Cifaldi (Lake Park) had another Scottie Pippen-like performance with seven points, six assists, four rebounds, and two steals in addition to her calming presence on the floor. Reynolds chipped in with seven points

January 6, 2012
Clones start new year with win

The women's team started 2012 with a win Jan. 5, handily beating Kennedy-King College 80-41, but not without some physical play and accompanying injuries.

With the score knotted at eight early on, the Cyclones quickly went on an 18-0 run to put the game away. The score was 45-21 at half time. A very physical second half brought down Jessica Contant (Stagg) and Raven Phillips (Bloom) with injuries, and a few runs by Kennedy-King cut the lead to less than 20 points. However, a strong Cyclone bench wore down the opponent for the lopsided victory.

Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) continued her consistent play, leading the Cyclones with 14 points, going 5-for-11 from the floor in just 16 minutes. Only playing 14 minutes, Contant finished with 13 points. Kim Young (Argo) chipped in nine points and Phillips added eight. Loretta Burton (Crete-Monee) led the team in rebounds with seven.

December 21, 2011
Big region win for Cyclones

The Cyclones tacked on another win Dec. 20, their third consecutive and 10th this season, but not without a challenge by their regional foe.

Moraine Valley should have won by much more, instead of their 67-63 victory over Olive-Harvey College, according to head coach Delwyn Jones, but this win was important for regional seeding. The Cyclones started the game lethargic and were down early. After a quick timeout, the players changed their approach despite having 24 turnovers.

The post players- Raven Phillips (Bloom), Val Zulevic (Mother McAuley) and Shekela Quarles (Richards)- kept Moraine Valley in the game with a collective 29 rebounds. Quarles had 15 boards, nine of which were off the offensive glass, to give the Cyclones second chances and big buckets to pull ahead. Kim Young (Argo) came out of her shooting slump by scoring 16, four of which were 3-pointers. Her threes in the second half also were key to the win. Loretta Burton (Crete-Monee) was a driving force, bringing much needed energy to the court and scoring 11 points. Jessica Contant (Stagg) and Tempestt Reynolds (Bloom) each had nine points, a season record for Reynolds. Point guard Brittany Bixman (Stagg) started the first half slow, but picked up steam and kept the Cyclones in control in the second half, especially with two free throws and two assists.

Moraine Valley continues their season in the new year on Jan. 5 when they face Kennedy-King College at home.

December 19, 2011
Cyclones tack on another win

In their second meeting this season, the Cyclones defeated Lincoln College 69-64 on Dec. 16.

The two colleges faced each other Nov. 5 when the Cyclones won 68-59. Unlike that first meeting, the Cyclones jumped ahead early to lead 29-22 by halftime and never relinquished the lead with the point spread at times getting as high as 16 points.

The top scorer for the night was Kim Young (Argo) with 11 points, going 4-for-5 from the floor including two from the arc, followed closely by Shekela Quarles (Richards) who had nine points and just missed a double-double with her 10 rebounds. Natalina Cifaldi (Lake Park) chipped in nine points, six steals and three assists. Raven Phillips (Bloom) led in rebounds with 14 and added seven baskets.

December 9, 2011
Clones hold off Wolves

Moraine Valley had the upper hand the entire game Dec. 8 against Joliet Junior College in which the Cyclones handily won 70-60.

It was a hard and fast start against the Wolves with an early 23-6 lead, but Joliet fought back. By halftime, Moraine Valley led 36-22, and the lead stayed around 12 to 15 points until the six-minute mark when Joliet cut the lead to single digits. The Cyclones' lead was cut to six before they iced the game with clutch free throws down the stretch for the 10-point win.

Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) led in scoring with 22 points, including four 3-pointers, and two assists. Her efforts earned her the NJCAA Region IV player of the week. Val Zulevic (Mother McAuley) added a season high 13 points with six rebounds. Shekela Quarles (Richards) had 11 boards while Raven Phillips (Bloom) cleaned up 10 rebounds. Natalina Cifaldi (Lake Park) added another all-around game with seven points, four assists, four steals, four rebounds, and a blocked shot.

December 7, 2011
Cyclones come close to elusive victory, but fall short

For years the Cyclones have struggled to earn a victory over arch rival Kankakee Community College. They came close Dec. 6 to that win, but faltered with minor mistakes that cost them. Moraine Valley lost 70-64.

The Cyclones jumped out early to a 10-2 lead, but that was fool's gold as the Cavaliers quickly closed the gap after several missed defensive assignments. The lead changed hands often, but Moraine Valley was down 28-27 at the half.

In the second half the Cyclones scored first, but again the lead went back and forth until a few turnovers and opportunistic 3-pointers by Kankakee put them up by nine. The Cyclones fought back and tied the score at 64 with less than two minutes to go. A costly unforced turnover on that possession and an uncontested missed layup led to a downhill spiral that saw the Cavaliers go on a 6-0 run to close out the game.

Natalina Cifaldi (Lake Park) led the way with her most complete performance of the season with 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Brittany Bixman (Stagg) continued to solidify her role as lead point guard with 11 points, but more importantly with four assists and only one turnover. Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) played consistently, banking 10 points and five assists with just one turnover. Raven Phillips (Bloom) finished with nine boards, but was limited in minutes due to foul trouble.

December 2, 2011
Cyclones run down Chaparrals

All the Cyclones needed was a spark to get back into the game, which they got Dec. 1 with a 61-41 win over College of DuPage.

DuPage jumped out early on the Cyclones with an 8-3 lead. However, Becca Theriault (Sandburg) came off the bench and gave the team that much needed spark, scoring 10 points and going 2-for-3 from the line. That surge, along with the steady play of Brittany Bixman (Stagg), helped the Cyclones lead 35-23 at the half. A 9-1 run in the second half put the Cyclones in good position with a 44-24 lead that swelled to 50-26 and eventually settled into the victory.

Raven Phillips (Bloom) led the way with 12 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Bixman matched with 12 points and three steals while Theriault finished with 10 points and four assists.

November 30, 2011
Cyclones back to winning ways

There was a long break between games for the Cyclones, but even lackluster court action couldn't stop them from a hefty 68-43 win over Wright College on Nov. 29.

The Cyclones lacked intensity and energy, missing easy layups in the matchup. Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) led the team with 16 points. Jasmin Harris (Stagg) led with eight rebounds, six coming from the offensive end. Stephanie Karl (Lockport) impressed on the court as well.

November 21, 2011
Cyclones split tourney

There was intense competition over the weekend of Nov. 18 and 19 as the Cyclones split two in the Black Hawk East Tournament.

Moraine Valley won the seemingly tougher first game, 63-57, against NJCAA Division I Black Hawk East College. Although the Cyclones didn't play their finest on the court, they still defeated a strong squad. Jessica Contant (Stagg) led in scoring with 17 points while Kim Young (Argo) followed with 16 points, going 4-for-7 from the 3-point line. Natalina Cifaldi (Lake Park) chipped in with 15 points and five rebounds.

The second game was more of a challenge for Moraine Valley in a 76-63 loss to Highland Community College, a team that had been struggling coming into the contest.

Highland had lost to Black Hawk, making it look like an easy win for the Clones. Before the game started, however, Moraine Valley was missing 6'1" center Val Zulevic (Mother McAuley) to a nagging quad injury and 5'11" forward Shekela Quarles (Richards) to a high ankle sprain which left the team with Raven Phillips (Bloom) as the only true post. But it was the 22 turnovers in the first half that kept Highland in the game. The Cyclones had opened up a 12-point lead twice before the turnovers started to take their toll, leaving Moraine Valley with just a 27-26 lead at halftime. Filled with confidence and determination, a much bigger Highland team started to take advantage inside. After Phillips picked up her fourth foul with 14 minutes left in the game, the Cyclones struggled to keep Highland off the glass. No other teams in the tournament played well against Highland.

Contant led in scoring with 18 points and four assists, and Phillips dominated the boards with 13 rebounds. Jasmin Harris (Stagg) had a great weekend going 4-for-6 from the floor in addition to her great defense in both games.

November 16, 2011
Blowout win for Cyclones

What started out as a slow scoring game Nov. 15 turned out to be a blowout for the Cyclones in a 71-26 win over Harper College.

The Cyclones initially led 4-2 at the start of the first half. With a call to the second unit, a fire was lit and the Cyclones swept through the court on a 25-1 run and never looked back. The score was 50-7 at halftime in spite of several missed layups by Moraine Valley. For the entire second half the Cyclones played a tight 2-3 zone and took some of the air out of the ball, coasting to the victory. This is the second consecutive game the Cyclones have held their opponents to less than 30 points.

Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) led in scoring with 14 points and four assists. Raynisha Dent (Shepard) scored eight points and had 11 rebounds. Brittany Bixman (Stagg) played a complete game with seven points, five assists and three steals. Becca Theriault (Sandburg) led with eight assists and chipped in six points. Raven Phillips (Bloom) banked eight points, had two blocked shots and led in rebounds with 12.

November 11, 2011
Cyclones crush Triton

Domination is the only word to describe the Cyclones' crushing 95-22 victory over Triton College.

Moraine Valley had balanced scoring throughout the game on Nov. 10 and pulled away early to coast to the finish. Jessica Contant (Stagg) led the charge with 14 points, going 6-for-7 from the floor. Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn) followed with 13 points- 11 in the second half alone. Natalina Cifaldi (Lake Park) added 12 and Kim Young (Argo) finished with 11 and three more 3-point shots to lead the nation in 3-pointers made. The team that's ranked sixth in the nation in 3-pointers has 19. Young has 19 threes by herself after four games, which is number one in the nation, said coach Delwyn Jones.

Shaneka Boyd (Rich South) continued to impress with her scoring ability, finishing with 10 points. Raven Phillips (Bloom) and Val Zulevic (Mother McAuley) chipped in with eight points each. Stephanie Karl (Lockport) had six assists and Brittany Bixman (Stagg) had five assists for her second consecutive game.

November 9, 2011
Slow start hurts 'Clones

A win was just within grasp, but a slow start for the Cyclones in their home-opener contributed to a 60-59 loss to Malcolm X College on Nov.8.

Early on the Cyclones had a difficult time keeping Malcolm X off the glass. Turnovers and easy missed shots created a 19-5 deficit for Moraine Valley. The second half started fast with an 11-1 Cyclone run to get the team back in the game. Both squads traded baskets for about eight minutes until the Cyclones finally surged ahead 54-51 with three minutes to go. However, four straight possessions ended in turnovers to close out the game and thwarted a valiant comeback. Moraine Valley did outscore Malcolm X 41-29 in the second half, but not enough to negate a poor start.

Kim Young (Argo) once again led the team with 19 points and has hit at least three 3-point shots in each game following her record setting 10 in the first game of the season. Jessica Contant (Stagg) chipped in 11 points and Brittany Bixman (Stagg) handed out five assists while Raven Phillips (Bloom) led in rebounds with 10.

November 7, 2011
It's win-win for Cyclones at Lincoln College Classic

Going into their first games of the season brought a lot of uncertainty, but the Cyclones showed why they were ranked number seven in NJCAA Region IV with two wins in the Lincoln College Classic Nov. 4-5.

Kim Young (Argo) was a 3-point machine, hitting 10 in the first game to shatter her old record of eight. That performance helped Moraine Valley, which started out of the gates fast, stake a 7-2 lead over Lincoln Land College and maintain a 34-27 lead at halftime.

After a 15-4 run to start the second half, Lincoln Land took a timeout, regrouped and began chipping away at the score. Turnovers suddenly plagued the Cyclones and their lead was cut to four. But with every run Lincoln Land made, Young continued hitting the threes to help her team stay ahead and win 76-73.

Young led the charge with 32 points and six assists. Loretta Burton (Crete-Monee) contributed 13 points, tied the team lead with eight rebounds, and added four assists. She went 6-for-6 down the stretch at the free-throw line to help salvage the win. Jasmin Harris (Stagg) tied Burton in rebounds, but in only 22 minutes of play. Shekela Quarles (Richards) played extraordinary defense, blocking two shots, and Natalina Cifaldi (Lake Park) chipped in seven points and seven rebounds.

The Cyclones looked a little shakier in their next game on Nov. 5 against Lincoln College. Unforced turnovers, poor shooting and poor shot selection put the Cyclones in a bad position from the start. Moraine Valley went 0-for-11 from the 3-point line in the first half, and 12-for-36 overall while missing several layups. Lincoln cut through the Cyclone defense with precision that put them up 36-26 at halftime. With a break to reassess, the Cyclones came out with a new purpose and went on an 11-1 run to tie the game at 37. The onslaught continued as Young found her stroke again and hit three 3-point shots. Burton and Quarles played with a renewed defensive energy, and Cifaldi scored 11 points including a 3-pointer to give Moraine Valley the first lead of the game. Stephanie Karl (Lockport) came off the bench to make a fast break basket and score a huge 3-pointer. After a switch to a 2-3 zone, Lincoln struggled to score and the Cyclones turned the lead into the eventual 68-59 win.

Young led in scoring for the second straight game with 21 points and had six steals. Cifaldi had another solid game with 14 points, five rebounds, six assists, and two blocked shots. Quarles was a tiger in the paint with nine rebounds and a couple blocked shots.

November 3, 2011
Hoopsters have what it takes to go the distance, ranked seventh nationally

There hasn't been quite as much excitement about Cyclone women's basketball for a few years, but on paper the hoopsters look ready to smash their competition. Ranked seventh in the NJCAA Division II preseason poll, the Cyclones have a lot to prove this year but boast a loaded squad that looks ready to meet these high expectations.

The 2010 team was full of talent and finished with 20 wins, but could not grab a fifth consecutive Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championship or NJCAA Region IV championship. All-Conference players Jalisa Bryant (Holy Trinity), Ashley Teresiak (Sandburg) and Kristy Scialabba (Oak Lawn) graduated, but a stronger returning core and talented field of newcomers are practically overwhelming head coach Delwyn Jones with the team's potential.

"On paper this is the most talent I've had since 2006-07. We have all we need in size- at least eight players are 5-foot-10 or bigger, so we're one of the tallest in the region. We have four excellent three-point artists which would make us one of the better shooting teams in the region. We have three fantastic point guards, each could start on any team in the region, too. On paper we have everything we need. But talent is just on paper. Good teams win championships," said Jones, who has led the team since 2000.

Nine returning players aim to improve on last year's performance, starting with 2010 All-Conference duo Jessica Contant (Stagg) and Kim Young (Argo). Contant is one of the team's best pure scoring options and can drive to the basket from the perimeter. Young broke the single game record last year for three-point shots- eight- and along with 5'8" guard Tempestt Reynolds (Bloom) is a "three-point assassin," Jones said. Both have matured as players and improved defensively from last year, making them better all-around athletes.

Raven Phillips (Bloom) has improved from last season as well. At 6'1", she has a range of moves around the basket, and Jones believes she is the fastest, most athletic post player in the area. Then there's 5'11" power forward Shekela Quarles (Richards), a fast and athletic player full of energy who consistently puts in the work that others don't want to do. Power forward Jasmin Harris (Stagg/5'9") has an uncanny knack for scoring around the basket 10 to 15 feet out. She plays hard and always seems to do the right thing on the court. Small power forward Becca Theriault (Sandburg) may be 5'10", but surprises players with her ability to block shots. She can shoot and cut to the basket like no other and may have the highest basketball IQ on the team, according to Jones. Rounding out the returners are guards Natalina Cifaldi (Lake Park/5'11") and Brittany Bixman (Stagg/5'5"). Cifaldi sees and handles the ball well in addition to shooting consistently from 15 feet out. Bixman is the fastest player with the ball in hand and should be a major factor in starting the fast breaks this season.

Adding to the mix of talent are nine newcomers that could contribute to a serious run. Transfer Ashley Corner (Bremen) is the tallest on the team at 6'3" and uses her size well in the paint, Jones said. She finishes well, rebounds blocked shots and is a cerebral post player. Transfer guard Loretta Burton (Crete-Monee/5'10") is one of the better rebounders on the team. She handles the ball well and is aggressive. Center Val Zulevic (Mother McAuley/6'1") is adept at stepping behind the three-point arc and can hit the basket with consistency. Zulevic is a very heady post player with solid defense.

Two solid freshmen, forward Raynisha Dent (Shepard/5'9") and guard Kelly Foley (Oak Lawn/5'6") exemplify the amount of depth on the team. Dent is an all-round strong player who attacks the basket with an attitude and passes well. Foley can hit the perimeter shot and finds ways to get points on the board. After a slow start in the preseason, guard Stephanie Karl (Lockport/5'6") has shown why she was a respected three-point artist in high school. Forward Dena Hammad (Argo/5'9") pound for pound can rebound with anyone, especially off the offensive glass. At 5'5", Shaneka Boyd (Rich South) is a guard who gives athletic presence to the court.

The team is deep this season, and any one of these athletes could start. "There are two teams in the conference on paper that will forge a major challenge to us. But my expectations are to get back on the conference track by taking the championship back. I also expect us to make a lot of noise for the regional championship this time and kicking that door in," Jones said.