OMAR NEGRIN / THE REPORTER
The Miami Dade College women’s basketball team had an impressive season this year, but fell short in the State Tournament quarterfinals, losing to Eastern Florida State College 108-89 on March 8.
“Our defense was our weakness,” said sophomore guard Michelle Wright. “Defense wins championships and we didn’t execute.”
However, Lady Sharks were vastly improved from previous years. With a predominately young team the women’s basketball team finished 22-9 including an 11-1 record in conference play. They won 16 games in 2017 and 18 in 2016.
“This was an amazing team,” said head coach Susan Summons. “I’ve been here for 31 years and I’ve had some incredible teams over the years, but this team I think exceeded far beyond the expectations.”
The Lady Sharks, who went on a nine-game winning streak right before the quarterfinals, said they felt a strong bond on the court.
“This team really embraced the concept of caring about each other and how important that is to being a team,” Summons said. “Because how can you be a team and win if you don’t care about each other. That was my theme once we got into conference play.”
The team concept helped them secure several milestones this season. Five players were named to the National Junior College Athletic Association All-Southern Conference First and Second teams, including Cheah Rael-Whitsitt, Savannah Clark, Ganette Chism, Deidra Harris and Shay Harper. Rael-Whitsitt, Clark and Chism were honorable mentions for the 2018 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Two-Year College Coaches’ All-American team.
Rael-Whitsitt was also named the Conference Player of the Year and Summons was named the Southern Conference Coach of the Year.
“Cheah is a relentless rebounding beast,” Summons said. “She’s not a player that’s going to be on someones bench. Her work ethic is one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. She puts the team first and she’s going to work hard for her team. She’s been a tremendous attribute.”
Several sophomores helped lead the way for the Lady Sharks. Rael-Whitsitt averaged 16.5 points and 14.2 rebounds per game. Clark averaged 18.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Wright lead the team with a 43.5 three-point percentage.
“I believe the difference maker was that this was just a group of people who really wanted to put in the work and win every chance we got on the court,” Clark said.
The team also got key contributions from several freshman. Chism led the team in scoring with 21 points per game. Harris averaged 9.5 rebounds per game.
“Next season I want to improve on my leadership and be more in shape than I was this season,” Chism said. “To elevate my game, I plan on working ten times as hard in the offseason.”
And while the team’s season did not end how they’d hope they still enjoyed the time they spent together.
“This team was just a special group,” Wright said. “We realized the talent we had and combined it with the experience of our coaching staff.”
The Lady Sharks hope to use this season as a learning tool. They are expected to have nine players returning next season.
“Our freshmen really came in and did a tremendous job. They didn’t play like freshman,” Summons said. “They have experience now which is going to be tremendous for them next year. I really love this team. They were a good group.”
