Women win, reach district title game

By Michael Leek
Sports Editor

After an amazing defensive effort and a strong double-double performance from freshman center Kara Bartels, the LCC women’s basketball team is headed to the District championship game after beating Cuyahoga Community College 68-59 on Thursday, March 7.

The win improved LCC’s overall record to 25-5 this season.

This was LCC and Cuyahoga’s first matchup this year. Stars Head Coach Megan Hudson said she had a plan right out of the gates.

“We had our scout ready defensively with the plan to shut down their leading scorer (sophomore guard Quimari Shelton), which we did,” Hudson said. “She averages 23 points a game and we kept her to five points. I was very proud of this effort.”

The game started close, with neither team being able to pull away with a substantial lead in the first quarter. LCC began to slowly open the lead in the second and third quarters, outscoring Cuyahoga every quarter except the fourth.

By the end of the third quarter, LCC had an 11-point lead and was able to hold onto it to win the game.

Bartels contributed largely on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, scoring 22 points and grabbing 17 rebounds, while recording five of LCC’s six blocks.

Freshman guard Ellie Humble was on fire from three-point range, knocking down four threes on nine attempts, finishing the game with 14 points.

Defensively, the Stars were aggressive, which helped them slowly pull away with the lead. Peyton Anderson came off the bench to provide a spark, getting six steals and contributing nine points and seven assists.

LCC finished with 18 steals. Hudson said the team thrives on its defensive energy.

“We put a lot of pressure on the ball, look for opportunities to speed the other team up and do it together as one,” Hudson said.

Hudson said the team being able to play the game at its speed, and being taller than a lot of teams, has been to LCC’s offensive advantage.

“We moved the ball with pace and attacked downhill,” Hudson said. “We executed our sets efficiently and hit the offensive boards hard.”

The championship game will be played on Saturday, March 9, against Jackson College (24-4 overall). It will be held at Ballenger Field House at Mott Community College at 11 a.m.

Hudson said the Stars are mentally preparing for this game by not doing anything differently, but acknowledging the stakes of the game.

“We are staying in our normal routines as much as possible,” Hudson said. “(We are) continuing to emphasize the champion character mindset, and most of all, having fun with this experience and opportunities in front of us.”