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	Women's Basketball

Lady Cyclones defend their conference title for the second straight season

Moraine Valley’s women’s basketball team celebrated another successful season as Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Champs after completing their 2007-08 season. The Cyclones are back-to-back champions winning with a final conference record of 13-1, identical to last year’s record.

The team ended their season with a 24-8 overall record, which was the second best record in Division II, Region IV, and the third best record in the entire region, which includes Divisions I, II and III. The lady hoopsters made it through playoffs and advanced to the Region IV semi-finals, where they lost to South Suburban College 63-46.

“We had a very good season from start to finish,” said head coach Delwyn Jones. “Anytime you finish 24-8, you’ve had a good season. We won the conference title for the third time in the last five years. For the first time I was able to play 13 players on a regular basis. That means the whole team contributed in some way to our success.”

On average the athletes scored 66 points per game and gave up only 53.2 points to the opposition. Moraine Valley’s leading scorer in the conference was veteran guard Laura Metzger (5’9”/Shepard), who averaged 10.8 points per game. First-year forward Kaitlyn Clemens (5’10”/Oak Lawn) led the Cyclones in rebounds with 5.3 per game. Freshman guard/forward Julie Tracy (5’8”/Oak Lawn) broke a Moraine Valley school record shooting 50 percent, 31 for 61, from the three-point line in conference play.

Metzger and Tracy were both selected to the All-Conference 1st Team while guard Karina Estrada (5’5”/Reavis), guard/forward Shana Creighton (5’8”/Oak Lawn) and center Jessica Polacek (6’2”/Reavis) made the 2nd Team. Tracy was also selected to the All-Region IV 2nd Team. Jones was named Conference Coach of the Year for the second straight year and third time in his coaching career at Moraine.

Individual players also received team awards. Metzger was the MVP; Tracy was chosen Offensive Player of the Year; Metzger and guard LaTanya Howell (5’8”/Queen of Peace) were named Defensive Players of the Year; Creighton was given the All Heart Award; and Estrada earned the Coach’s Award.

2007-08 Season Preview
Cyclones to defend conference title, shoot for Region IV championship this spring

Since Moraine Valley's women's basketball team's heartbreaking loss in the Region IV Championship game last season, the team has been collectively thinking about "what could have been." This year, the Cyclones have decided against thinking about "what could have been"—in favor of hoisting the Region IV trophy at the end of the season and earning their second consecutive Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Championship.

"These girls are really pumped up about defending their title," said head coach Delwyn Jones, 2006 conference coach of the year.  "In addition, they've told me they won't accept anything less than the Region IV championship.  So far, their efforts on the court and their commitment to improvement are backing up that statement. If they continue showing this type of dedication, I think they'll have a great opportunity to achieve their objective."

Six veterans of last year's 25-7 squad return to the court for the Cyclones this season, including Tiffany Woods (5'5"/Argo) and LaTanya Howell (5'8"/Queen of Peace). Jones believes both guards will help control the court, assisting Laura Metzger (5'9"/Shepard), last year's top scorer, to add her average nine points per game.  Jones also expects guard Karina Estrada (5'5"/Reavis), guard/forward Shana Creighton (5'8"/Oak Lawn) and center Cassie Witrykowski (6'0"/Eisenhower) to contribute their second-year leadership to a pool of talented first-year players. Freshmen seeing playing time this year will include center Jessica Polacek (6'1"/Reavis); forward Karlia Thomas (6'0"/Portage, Indiana); forward Kaitlyn Clemens (5'10"/Oak Lawn); guard/forward Katelyn Arndt (5'8"/Richards); guard/forward Julie Tracy (5'8"/Oak Lawn); and guard Jennifer Galvan (5'4"/ Richards). Rounding out the Cyclones roster this season will be forward Lauren Rodriguez (5'10"/Morgan Park Academy) and forward Vanessa Zavala (5'9"/Maria), who Jones credits as one of the fiercest offensive post players he's ever coached.

"Jessica will be under the net for us this year, pulling down key rebounds for us all season," Jones said. "Kaitlyn and Katelyn are both offensively dynamic, and they'll create opportunities for us. Julie shows great flexibility in every role on the court, and Jennifer will bring an aggressive outside game to our offense this year.

"They'll continue to improve their already-impressive team chemistry as the season unfolds, and barring any significant injuries, I think these players can expect great things from each other through the winter," Jones added. "They're willing to play hard, and they want to win. They have the talent to do it, so as long as they maintain focus and play solid, fundamental basketball, they'll definitely be in the regional chase in February."

2006-07 Season Review
Lady Cyclones storm through conference play, place 2^nd in regional tourney 

The Lady Cyclones fell just short of claiming a regional championship, taking second place in the Region IV Tournament after winning the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference outright. The team finished the season with a first-place 11-1 conference record, contributing to their dominating 25-7 season record.

"We had a fantastic year, and I couldn't be more proud of this team," said head coach Delwyn Jones. "I expected great things from these girls before the season started, and they responded with a conference championship."

Leading the way for the Cyclones this year were first-team All-Region IV guard Laura Gaylord (Richards High School) and second-team All-Region IV guard Kelly McKinney (Oak Lawn High School). Center Rhiannon Howard (Lourdes) joined Gaylord and McKinney on the first-team All-Conference Roster, while forward/center Angela Barry (Providence Catholic High School) and guard Tiffany Woods (Argo High School) earned second-team All-Conference nods. Jones also was named the conference Coach of the Year.

"I'm confident that our hard work and dedication this year will carry over into next year's conference play," Jones said. "I look forward to coaching our incoming freshmen alongside the talented players we have coming back next year."