For the SCC Women’s Basketball Team, this season was one for the books. Records were set, obstacles were overcome, players were honored, and heads were turned.
The team finished the season 26 & 6—the most in the program’s seven year history, smashing the old record of 18 wins. And they did it with a mere seven players.
From left: Natalia Merkulova, Jennifer Reittinger, Breana McCullough, Hazaria Washington, Cherelle Hicks, Breanah Manley, and Mariah Duke.
As the season got under way, what was once a squad of 11 was reduced to 7.
Head Coach Jerry Jerome says nobody expected such feats from a mere seven players.
The squad regularly faced teams twice their size.
Jerome says that winning teams aren’t made by the size of their roster, they’re made by the size of their heart. “We showed people that you didn’t need a 16 person team and a charter bus to win games.”
Briefly during the season, the Lady Blackhawks were even ranked sixth in the nation.
Jerome says that with such a small team, every player’s contribution was vital to the team’s success. “I knew what I had to work with, so I built a strategy that took advantage of our strengths. It worked.”
Jerome adds that having such a small team helped everybody stay focused. Each person got a lot of playing time. They knew they’d only be on the bench for a little bit before having to get back in there.”
In addition to focus and determination, part of the team’s success was the overwhelming amount of community support.
Hawk Flock members cheer on
Laying it up for two.
A rowdy group of loyal fans lovingly referred to as the “Hawk Flock” kept the team motivated on and off the court. They baked cookies and provided home-cooked dinners for the players, and made sure they had a place to go during breaks and holidays.
“They were like family. That meant so much to to the team,” explains Assistant Coach Lene Lox.
That outpouring of support translated into an impressive 13-1 home court record.
“Playing on our home court was incredible. The atmosphere was so energizing,” adds Lox.
The team’s only loss at home was to Kirkwood—which would go on to take fifth place in the nation.
Out of a roster of seven players, five were named to All-Region teams—unheard of at the college level.
Hazaria Washington made the All-Region team and became the Lady Blackhawk’s first All-American. Four others landed spots on All-Region teams as well: Natalia Merkulova and Mariah Duke earned second team honors, and Breana McCollough and Breanah Manley were named to third team.
A number of four-year Division I colleges made scouting trips to watch the Lady Blackhawks. To date, two of SCC’s graduating sophomores (McCollough and Manley) have signed to continue playing at the four-year college level. Jerome expects that number to rise to four.
Jerome says that the Lady Blackhawks earned a lot of respect in our conference over the past few seasons.
He adds, “we plan to keep that going.”