When Notre Dame College Women's Basketball lost the team's sixth straight game, a 90-48 loss to Glenville State on January 29th and held a record of 7-12 and 6-8 in the MEC it did not look like very promising. To the credit of first year head coach's Imani Gordon's squad they would end the season with a record of 15-14 and 13-9 in the MEC. " Coach Gee said the entire season it's not how you start but how you finish, "senior Guard Jada Marone explained.
After an 0-2 start to the season NDCWBB ran off three straight wins including a 74-70 win over a solid West Liberty team in the home opener. After a pair of losses again ,NDC would go on a three game win streak highlighted by a double overtime win over Concord on December 4th when Marina Adachi hit a clutch 3-pointer late. "Our season had lots of ups and downs, "Gordon stated. After a loss to Walsh at home over christmas break NDC got back on the winning track against Frostburg State on January 10th. Then came the losing skid but this team never quit, as the end of the season showed.
Marone spoke about it:
"We faced a lot of adversity during the season whether it was through injuries or whatever the case may have been. As a team we fought through it to the best of our abilities. I believe we truly left everything on the floor and as a player that's all I can ask for."
Gordon agreed:
" Our season had a lot of ups and downs, but towards the end of the season we came together and we figured it out. We set goals for a championship, but I think overall we learned all the intangibles it takes to win it all even though we fell short. I am excited for next year . We will keep growing and keep building."
The Falcons would open the MEC Tournament with a a 69-59 win over Concord in the quarterfinals before falling 85-69 to the top seed in the MEC Tournament and number one team in the country Glenville State. Marone would lead the entire tournament in scoring (24.5 points per game) and would be named to the All-Tournament Team at it's conclusion.
Gordon talked about how fun it has been to coach a player of Marone's caliber:
"Jada plays hard no matter if it's the conference tournament or the first game of the season. It's not surprising at all that she was the leading scorer in the tournament. I'm so grateful to have coached a player with her talents. This program will miss her. She left it all on the court and I am just sad she couldn't end her tremendous career with a championship."
Marone talked about making the All Tournament Team:
" I am honored to be named to the All-Tournament Team for the third year in a row. The accomplishment couldn't have been done without my coaches or teammates, they believe in me and my drive for success so it just puts me in a better position to achieve everything I have done within my career."
Marone talked about the future for NDCWBB:
"I wish NDC women's basketball the best of luck and for the girls to come "you got this."
MEC Tournament Results:
First Round:
MEC Quarterfinals:
MEC Semifinals:
MEC Finals:
MEC All Tournament Team:
Sierra Kotchman (Fairmont State)
Audrey Tingle (West Liberty)
Jada Marone (NDC)
Dazha Congelton (Glenville State)
Re'Shawna Stone (Glenville State)
Zakiyah Winfield (Glenville State)
Marykia McCormick (Charleston)
MVP- Trinty Palacio (Charleston)
Commisioner's Heart & Hustle Award: Zakiyah Winfield (Glenville State)
Atlantic Region (At Waco Center hosted by Glenville State:) All First Round Games Played Friday.
Comentarios