Women fall in finale; rake in honors
Freshman Ivana McCollum takes a shot against Kalamazoo Valley Community College during a tournament game on LCC’s main campus. Photo by Kaitlyn Delaney
By Michael Leek
Sports Editor
The LCC women’s basketball team played its last game of the season in the District C Championship Game, falling 64-56 to the Jackson College Jets on Saturday, March 9 in Flint.
The Jets won despite an 18-point, seven-rebound, six-block performance from LCC freshman center Kara Bartels.
LCC went down 18-14 at the end of the first quarter and could never catch up the whole game.
By the end of the first half, the Stars were still down four points. In the third quarter, the Jets outscored LCC by eight points, putting the Stars down by double digits going into the fourth.
The leading scorer for both teams was the Jets’ Michelle McGee, who finished with 24 points. Jackson moved on to the national tournament with the district championship win.
For LCC, sophomore guard Alivia Densmore contributed11 points and freshman guard Peyton Anderson scored 10 to complement the strong game from Bartels.
Despite the Stars’ season ending in the District C championship, the awards they received speak volumes about the success they had.
LCC Head Coach Megan Hudson received the Western Conference Coach of the Year award, leading the Stars to an overall record of 25-6 and a conference record of 10-2.
Bartels was named the Western Conference Player of the Year award, averaging 17.8 points per game, 9.2 rebounds and almost four blocks. She also was named to the MCCAA West All-First Team and All-Defensive Team.
“I’m really excited that my hard work has paid off because I agree, it’s a huge award,” Bartels said. “I honestly couldn’t have done it without my team. They helped me become the player I am today and I’m just grateful to continue to grow with them and become better together.”
Anderson also received honors by being named to the MCCAA West All-Second Team, the All-Freshman Team, and the MCCAA West All-Defensive Team. Anderson led the Stars in steals per game, averaging 3.9.
Along with Anderson and Bartels, freshman guard Ellie Humble made the MCCAA West All-Freshman Team.
LCC will look to build on its success next season with an experienced roster of sophomores hungry to make it to nationals.
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