Last years highly successful campaign was marked with lots of positive progress. The NCC women’s basketball team looks to continue that success going into this year. With a combination of old and new players, this Cardinals squad has poise to make some noise in the CCIW.
A season to remember
There were lots of highlights throughout the 2023-25 campaign, including a win against the 11th ranked Millikin and a home game during the CCIW tournament for the first time in program history. The team finished 12-14 overall and 7-9 in conference play, which was good enough for a fourth-place finish in conference. This is the best finish under Coach Maggie McCloskey-Bax. It is also the highest place the team has been since the 2015-16 season, where they finished third.
The team saw continued success from stalwart forward Megan McClure, ‘25. Also noticeable were breakout seasons from Jocelyn Trotter, ‘27, and Grace Kieffer, ‘26. Kieffer became the team’s three-point specialist. She led the team with 26 three-pointers, tying a school record for best shooting percentage in a game against Wisconsin Lutheran. On the other hand, Trotter had an incredible first season with the team. She led the team in shooting percentage (51.7), totals points (342) and was second on the team in points per game (13.2). All of which culminated in her winning the CCIW First-Year Student Athlete of the Year.
“My teammates’ support and energy push me to improve every day,” Trotter said, “and I’m focused on giving that same effort back to help us all grow and succeed together.”
Raising levels
Coach Bax has higher expectations for her team after the season they had last year. This season will see the return of all three, who will have big parts to play as the season progresses. The team will also look towards role players like Megan Duffy, ‘25, Jovanna Martinucci, ‘25, and Josylin Simmons-Doxie, ‘25, for leadership and steady play. The team added six newcomers and a transfer to help add depth to the squad.
“I think our team has been working incredibly hard which will contribute to our success,” McClure said. “The main goal of this season is to have fun, work hard and take every day as an opportunity to get better.”
Building blocks
The Cardinals are currently 4-3, with wins against Aurora and Benedictine, among others. Trotter and McClure are already making an impact, with Trotter winning her first CCIW Student-Athlete of the Week award on Dec. 2.
“Winning Athlete of the Week is an incredible honor,” Trotter said. “It’s really a reflection of the team’s hard work and support.”
The season has also seen the emergence of Biz Daly, ‘27. Daly is averaging 18 points per game in 7 games. She has had two 26-point games so far this season.
“I feel good about the quick start because a lot of hard work was put into the off season for both me and the team,” Daly said. “We always look to better each other and it’s great that products are showing on the court.”
The team will face their first CCIW challenge in Augustana on Dec. 7, with the team poised to make a run at the CCIW crown. Despite the added pressure, the women’s basketball team will try to turn that pressure into a diamond performance.
