For the second straight year, the Lady Sharks women’s basketball has failed to qualify for the State Tournament.
The Lady Sharks were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Feb. 22 after losing on the road to Florida SouthWestern State College, 108-100.
Miami Dade College failed to build any consistency through the year. Their longest winning streak this season was three games during a stretch in late November and early December. In particular, they stumbled at the end of the season, losing five of their last seven games before they were eliminated from the playoffs.
However, the Lady Sharks had some bright spots. They were first in the NJCAA Division I in three-point shooting percentage (41.6). The top three-point shooters on the team were 5-foot-7-inch freshman guard Michelle Wright (50 percent) and 5-foot-5-inch sophomore guard Jamaria Williams (40 percent). Wright was first in the state in three-point shooting percentage.
Two sophomores, forward Emporess James and guard Jamaria Williams also had strong second seasons for MDC. James averaged 14.8 points and 12.8 rebounds per game; she finished third in the state in rebounding.
“My time here at Dade has been good to me,” James said.
Williams averaged 12.4 points and 4.8 assists, per game and she shot 39.8 percent from three-point range.
The team also had two freshman who had big seasons, which bodes well for next year’s team. Freshman forward Cheah Rael-Whitsitt averaged 12.2 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. She was fifth in the state in rebounding.
Freshmen forward Savannah Clark added 12.3 points per game.
The Lady Sharks are sad to see the season end.
“Honestly it kind of sucks because we became so strong and so well bonded together,” said freshman guard Jany Miranda. “But since it’s JUCO, the sophomores have to leave right when we start to get to know each other’s playing styles and personalities.”
