The Miami Dade College women’s basketball team had a hard time with consistency this past year, finishing with a 16-14 record and failing to qualify for the State Tournament.
Many aspects affected the end result.
“This past season we lacked motivation and dedication from some players,” said freshman forward Cheah Rael-Whitsitt. “But this upcoming season will be much different.”
Veteran Lady Sharks Head Coach Susan Summons is using last year’s experience as a way to figure out the next step for her team.
With eight returning players, Summons is focusing on augmenting her team with the right players to eventually become conference champions.
The Lady Sharks have already signed five players to their 2017-2018 team. Three of the five signees are guards Zariyah “Zee” Daniels, Jealissa Presswood, and Natasha Polanco. The final two signees are Samantha Douglas and Deidra Harris who are both forwards.
Hailing from Lakewood High School, Douglas had an outstanding high school career. She averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks per game, while leading her team to the 2017 FHSAA Class 6A Girls Basketball State Championship.
Polanco attended Felix Varela Senior High School and averaged 17 points and seven assists per game. During her time at Varela, Polanco received Rookie of the Year Award and finished as fourth in scoring in school history.
“I want to bring my passion for the game into the team, my enthusiasm to play, and to learn new things,” Polanco said.
Presswood comes from G. Phillips Academy High School where she averaged 18 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists per game. Her contributions to the team paved her way to being selected to the Chicago Public School First All-Conference Team.
The Lady Sharks also return two promising forwards to next year’s team, Cheah Rael-Whitsitt and Savannah Clark.
Rael-Whitsitt averaged 12.2 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. She was fifth in the state in rebounding. Clark averaged 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
They hope to use last year’s inconsistency as motivation for this upcoming season.
“I’m working hard in the fitness center and also working hard in open gym with Coach Summons,” said guard Michelle Wright, who was a freshman on last year’s team.
