With a roster full of talent and double last year’s size, the Moraine Valley Community College women’s basketball team is looking to get back to their winning ways in the 2024-25 season.

Last season, the Cyclones totaled seven players and still played some good basketball. Head Coach Delwyn Jones prides himself on his team finishing seasons over .500, which he has done 17 times in his 24 seasons leading the program. He starts his 25th season with optimism and excitement.

“We haven’t been as dominant a force since COVID, but we’re much deeper, talent-wise, this season, and we feel good about that,” Jones said.

After graduating their top, nationally ranked defensive player last season, the Cyclones will have to be more pure with defense on the perimeter and work the court a little differently with more offensive weapons on the squad, Jones noted. The different structure of the team allows for new tactics and other ways to win.

One returner and two newcomers should be solid at slashing to the basket – 5-9 sophomore Robin Stevenson (Shepard) and 5-10 freshmen Jadea Johnson (Romeoville) and Shakila Brownlow (Bremen, 5-9). “Shakila can score but also is a good defender. We hope to get her comfy in our offense,” Jones said. “Jadea is a superb athlete. She’s strong, lean, fast and can get to the basket almost at will.”

Dynamic sophomore shooters Olivia Baxa (Oak Forest, 5-7) and Deniza Fuentes (Richards, 5-5) are back in the lineup along with freshmen offensive forces Lily Hernandez (Reavis, 5-4) and Isabel Lopez (Reavis, 5-9).

“We have everything we need for offense, and we’re hoping the sophomores improve on their season from last year,” Jones said. “Robin was playing really well at the end of last year, and our three-point shooters [Olivia and Deniza] will keep everyone honest.”

The Cyclones added some height with freshman Keira Clancy (Oak Forest), a 6-1 forward/center who also is on the volleyball team, and Jayla Tobias (Thornton Fractional), a 6-2 transfer center from Loyola University. “Keira is a good shooter with good moves around the basket. We’re happy to have her,” Jones said. “Jayla has such athleticism, and we hope she’ll become a  major rebounder and shot blocker.”

Other additions to the squad include 5-10 forward transfer from Oakton College, Apple Guerrero (Argo), who was one of the top scorers in high school and can shoot from the outside. Her high basketball IQ should help the team produce. Another transfer guard from Triton College, Mariah Robinson (Bishop Noll Institute, 5-8), is a tough defender with a solid three-point shot and the ability to move on fast breaks. Freshman guard Delany Doyle (Shepard, 5-7) knows how the game should be played and is able to do all the necessary dirty work on defense.

Although the Cyclones have a few tough teams to face in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and NJCAA Region 4, they believe they can win a conference championship and return to the national tournament.

“We’re a very good team, and we’ll be a fast breaking team. We have pretty good speed, and it’s one of the better shooting teams I’ve had. If we control the paint with our defense, we’ll be tough,” Jones said. “We’ll have to battle, but I think we’re one of the top teams. It’s realistic for us to challenge for the conference and region championship.”

Jones is joined again on the sidelines by assistant coaches Erin Drynan, a Moraine Valley alumna, and Arlena Roach.

The Cyclones first home game of the season is Tuesday, Nov. 12, 5:15 p.m., against Harper College.

For updates on Cyclones Athletics and to view the full schedule, visit mvcyclones.com.

For news media inquiries, contact Maura Vizza, Moraine Valley communications specialist and sports information coordinator, at (708) 974-5742 or Vizzam@morainevalley.edu.