Moraine Valley women hoopsters ready for exciting 2015-16

After sharing an Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championship last year, the Moraine Valley Community College women’s basketball team is looking to claim it solo this season. With the return of some solid sophomores and talented recruits, there’s a lot to be excited about in Cyclone basketball.

Finishing the 2014-15 season with an 11-3 conference record was good for a tie at the top with Oakton Community College, helping the Cyclones emerge from a five-year dry spell. And there’s enough talent this season to earn a conference championship outright plus one in the NJCAA Region IV.

Kailey Foster (Joliet West/5’8”) is one of the best returning guards in the region. After a slow shooting start last season, Foster shot 51 percent from the 3-point line in the second half of 2014-15 and earned a spot on the All-Conference second team. Sharnita Breeze (Argo/5’10”) is one of the most talented offensive players at the JUCO level. She is a gifted 3-point shooter with an exciting first step to get to the basket. Already a solid defender, she started to figure out her offensive ability in the second half of last season with ambitions to carry it over to her second year. Duneya “Dee Dee” Shatat (Oak Lawn/5’9”) is deceptively quick with the ability to finish with either hand around the basket. She’s a strong 3-point shooter as well. McKayla Smith (Andrew/5’10”) is a versatile forward/center who played every position her first year with the Cyclones. She’s a reliable shooter and possesses a high basketball IQ. One of the rare three-sport athletes at Moraine Valley, Carly Trinley (Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences/5’6”) is a solid guard who also is on the volleyball and softball teams. She will play some point and some off guard this year.

The Cyclones scored a number of talented freshmen this season, including Andrew standout Michelle Borgen (6’1”). Borgen had a 20-point, 27-rebound game her senior year and should help Moraine Valley. Six-foot-three post player Erin Drynan (Mother McAuley) will help relieve the loss of six-foot-two Cyclone record shot blocker who was #1 in the NJCAA Division II, Nariman Jaber, who is playing this year at the University of Indianapolis. Drynan is a skilled shot blocker and can give a hook shot with either hand around the basket in addition to her 15-foot jump shot. Chicago Christian product Briana Smith (6’1”) will be one of the most athletic post players and is already one of the best offensive rebounders on the team. A Third Team All-State player from Beecher, Ashley Carroll (5’10”) will prove to be dynamic at the post. Erin Schaffrath (Bremen/5’8”) will play mostly point guard, but is a good shooter as well, having gone downstate for 3-point shooting her senior year. Krista Brill (Oak Forest/5’6”) and Jade Warner (Romeoville/5’6”) also are solid shooters who will be dangerous from the perimeter this season.

“There are high expectations this year for a conference championship repeat and for a regional crown. For the region, some of the top competition has reloaded and looks to be very tough. A devastating first-round loss during the regional playoffs last year still leaves a bad taste in our mouths, and the sophomores are looking for revenge,” said head Coach Delwyn Jones, entering his 16th year leading the Cyclones.

Visit www.morainevalley.edu/athletics or follow the Cyclones on Facebook at morainevalleycyclones and Twitter @MVCyclones.