Lady Sharks Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

The Miami Dade College women’s basketball team’s late-season hot streak has come to an excruciating halt as they have now dropped five out of their last six games.

In the midst of their downhill slide, the Lady Sharks did manage to reel in a huge conference victory versus Brevard Community College,  83-68, on Feb. 6. The victory keeps the Lady Sharks afloat in a Southern Conference that could go down to the wire just before the post season kicks off.

The Lady Sharks are still alive in the Southern Conference; their playoff hopes remain realistic with four games left in the season all versus conference opponents.

“These next games are do and die, our back is against the wall,” head coach Susan Summons said. “It is nothing but heart and soul, and we gotta step up, period, and finish strong.”

Academic Conflict

The Lady Sharks will have to contend in these final games without Amber Hanna, and Monique Howard who have been classified as “academically ineligible” according to Miami Dade College athletic director Anthony Fiorenza.

“I have to perform in the classroom so I can get back to the court,” Hanna said.

Summons said that they have been academically ineligible since the beginning of the 2013 Spring term semester.

“It’s not even an issue, because at the time Amber had an ankle sprain, so she was not even on the floor,” Summons said. “And Howard saw little, time… the adjustment was not a major adjustment.”

Injured Sharks

The Lady Sharks will also have to finish the season without Sierra Lark, who was averaging 9.3 rebounds a game. Lark has been out since Nov. 20 with a shoulder injury Summons said. Adenike Dawodu, who averaged 10.3 points per game is also out for the rest of the season because of an meniscal injury. Summons said that Dawodu has been out of the lineup since Jan. 29 when the Lady Sharks played Broward College.  

Power forward Eboni Brown has also battled an ankle sprain, and missed two conference games against Brevard Community College on Feb. 6, and St. Petersburg State College on Feb. 9.  Summons said that Brown is not 100% yet, but she will be playing in the Indian River State College game on Jan. 13.

“We will be able to spot her, and we need to have her on the boards,” Summons said.

Transferring Out

On a bright spot Lady Sharks standouts Lark, Dawodu, and center AnnMarie Harris, who currently has 22 blocks, have signed with Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University on full scholarships.

“They are versatile, they can play multiple positions, and they are only going to get stronger,” Summons said.

The Lady Sharks end the 2012-2013 season at home on Feb. 20 versus Broward Community College and on Feb 23. versus Brevard Community College.