Lady Sharks Recover From 0-7 Start To Get Into State Tournament Hunt
When the Miami Dade College women’s basketball team started the season losing its first seven games, they refused to get down on themselves.
That early season resiliency has served the Lady Sharks (12-14 and 7-4 in the Southern Conference) well. After winning six of their last seven games—all in conference—the team finds itself seeded third in conference with the potential to go as high as first depending on how they perform in the seasons last four games.
The top three teams from the Southern Conference qualify for the State Tournament on March 4-9 in Ocala.
“They’ve really been playing some incredible basketball,” said Lady Sharks Head Basketball Coach Susan Summons. “They have a lot of talent and can match up with any team in the state; this team has all the pieces.”
Two key components to the team’s success has been center Jacqueline Blake and guard Kensha’Dra Smith.
Both are sophomore transfers with the ability to fill-up the stat sheet every night they’re on the court.
Blake leads the team, averaging 19.6 points and 10.4 boards per game. She is fourth in the nation in defensive rebounds, averaging 7.9 per game.
“I love to attack and be physical,” Blake said.
She did just that against Palm Beach State College on Jan. 27 when she exploded for 32 points, five rebounds and four steals.
“Jackie had an incredible game against Palm Beach,” Summons said. “She played inside. She made some adjustments, they beat her, they pounded her, they elbowed her, they pulled her; she took all of it and stayed poised and just killed them on the inside.”
Blake’s running mate, Smith is averaging 15 points a game for the Lady Sharks and is shooting 86.5% from the free throw line.
“We work together,” Smith said. “I help [Blake] passing her the ball, scoring fast breaks and everything, and when she’s getting double-teamed, she’ll kick it out to me.”
Their skillful collaboration hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“This duo has the ability to reach for the stars if they continue to push each other, push themselves, understand their role and push the team,” Summons said.
The Lady Sharks next home game is versus Eastern Florida State College Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. at the Theodore R. Gibson Health Center, 11011 SW 104 St. Admission to all games is free.
