After sending eight players to Division I, Division II and NAIA universities, the Miami Dade College women’s basketball team enters the new season with 11 freshmen and a returning captain ready to guide them.
The Lady Sharks finished last season with a 19–12 overall record and 11–7 mark conference play. They earned a berth to the Florida College System Athletics Association Division I Women’s Basketball Championship, but their season ended on March 12 in a 101–49 quarterfinal’s loss to Chipola College.
With key contributors moving on—Jazmyne Bynum and Meredith Venner, both to the University of Pittsburgh, and Riana Callihan to Troy University—head coach Susan Summons is preparing a mostly new roster (10 freshmen) for another postseason push.
“One of the biggest challenges that this team will face, obviously, is understanding the system, adjusting to the system, the style,” Summons said. “There is no night off.”
Sophomore captain Saige McCloud will help guide that transition as a team captain. The center averaged 8.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game last season while shooting 47.8% from the field.
After examining her habits and routines, McCloud spent the summer working to become a more consistent player. With so many newcomers, she understands that her leadership must show through her actions.
“Being around the new faces is teaching me to be much more of a leader,” McCloud said. “If I’m leading by example, they’ll follow me.”
Summons expects that approach will help the freshmen adjust.
“The impact of having Saige McCloud’s leadership and her work ethic on and off the court is going to be paramount,” Summons said.
Joining McCloud as a captain is freshman Allevia Williams, a 6-foot guard from Clearwater High School who brings shooting ability and experience playing point guard.
She was drawn to MDC because of the team’s fast-paced style and the confidence Summons instills in her players.
“She’s positive all the time and she always speaks life into us no matter what,” Williams said. “Even if you have a bad game, she’s right there next to you on the bench talking to you about how to get better.”
Freshman Anae Magnen, a 6-foot-3 power forward from France, adds versatility to the frontcourt. She can also play center and small forward and has drawn raves for her shooting and her post up game.
Magnen is adjusting to American basketball, which is faster-paced and more physical, deciphering when to attack the basket rather than pass. She hopes to make an immediate impact defensively through rebounding and blocking shots.
“I always love defense,” Magnen said.
Freshman ZaMyria King, a 5-foot-6 point guard from East Bay High School in the Tampa area, wants to earn national recognition and help lead the Lady Sharks to a national championship.
King said her biggest adjustment has been the discipline required to balance classes, practices and daily training. She believes that commitment will determine how far the team can go.
“Hard work, dedication, and staying focused and having discipline,” King said of what the team needs to succeed.
Summons has emphasized conditioning before refining the team’s transition offense, shooting and defensive fundamentals. Her priorities include offensive and defensive rebounding, footwork, help defense and closeouts.
The players’ ability to absorb instruction has allowed her to address those details earlier than with some previous teams.
“We are a little bit farther along this early than we have been in the past,” Summons said.
Off the court, the Lady Sharks are building camaraderie. Williams said teammates visit each other’s apartments, watch movies, cook and share meals.
Magnen has found comfort in having another French teammate—forward Soha Amoussou—allowing her to communicate in her first language while adjusting to life in Miami.
As the Lady Sharks prepare for the season, Williams believes maintaining those bonds will be essential to returning to the state tournament.
“We have the right talent, the right skill,” Williams said. “If we stay together, we’ll win
The Lady Sharks start the regular season at home at the Theodore R. Gibson Health Center, 11011 S.W. 104th St., versus Millenia Atlantic University on Nov. 2 at 5:30 p.m.
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