Mitch Gilbert
Contributing Writer
Just less than 10 months ago, the women’s basketball team finished up the 2013-2014 season with a record of 11-14. While things did not necessarily go the way they planned, the team used this season as momentum to train and become ready for the next year.
It might have seemed like a lofty goal at the time, but the women stormed the court again on Nov. 21, emerging as an entirely new team. Despite it being merely Jan. 12, the Lady Cards have already surpassed last season’s total wins and just suffered their very first loss of the season to 13 ranked Wheaton College.
This huge change was not something that just happened overnight, though. As starting forward, Jamie Cuny, explains, a lot of team development took place throughout those tough training months.
“(Compared to last year) the key for us this season has been the chemistry that we have as a team,” Cuny said. “Everyone gets along so well and we are a big family. We all love each other off the court and have fun together.”
Despite being a sophomore who just transferred to NCC, Cuny was quickly taken in by the Lady Cards. Averaging just shy of 10 points per game, and being recognized as the Division Three national player of the week, she has contributed in helping step up the overall team performance.
While team development might sound easy to work on, the team knows that it takes a long time to get everybody to buy into the winning mentality. It takes hours upon hours of blood, sweat and tears to truly prove that you deserve to be successful. This mentality was brought forth by everybody, but the seniors were the ones who put the materials to take the team from good to great.
“The seniors are the primary leaders and kind of look out for everyone,” said Cuny. “They are such great role models and everyone looks up to them, but what is cool about our team is that everyone looks to everyone and feeds off of each other. Overall though, I think that everyone on this team can be a leader and it feels like every game and every possession someone new is stepping up and taking the lead.”
Having been on the team for the last four years, teammate Bobbi Johns agrees with Cuny and has seen the complete fall and rise of NCC women’s basketball.
Overall though, I think that everyone on this team can be a leader and it feels like every game and every possession someone new is stepping up and taking the lead -Jamie Cuny, ’17
“Truthfully, we never thought we would be in this position, but we have been working hard day in and day out; this goes to show how your hard work can pay off,” Johns explains. “Positive attitudes among the players was a significant difference this year compared to what we saw in the past. Everyone responded really well with the new changes and have taken on a positive outlook towards it.”
Overall, by training with a chip on their shoulder throughout the off-season and redefining their team dynamics, the Lady Cards have truly become a force to be reckoned with. Despite being ranked 24, their record of 13-1 speaks for itself.
