Moraine Valley women's basketball finishes season with 20 wins and broken records

Between the Cyclones’ dynamic duo breaking school records while getting national rankings and a 20-win campaign, the 2015-16 season played out well.

First, the Cyclones boasted a strong roster this year with talented incoming freshmen. Second, the team went 20-10 overall with an 11-3 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference record for a second-place finish. There also was a 10-1 record in Region IV, which included knocking out top teams from South Suburban and Triton College. Then the Cyclones averaged 72.5 points per game, the second highest in head Coach Delwyn Jones’ tenure. Not to mention the court stylings of freshmen forward Michelle Borgen (Andrew) and center Erin Drynan (Mother McAuley).

The dynamic duo have a lengthy list of stats as well as nods to the All-Region and All-Conference first teams. Drynan was ranked #1 in the NJCAA Division II throughout the entire season for blocked shots. Not only did she finish with 192, but also crushed the school record set last year (134). Drynan also ranked #2 for total rebounds (406), averaging 13.6 per game, breaking two more school records. She tacked on six triple-doubles and 23 total double-doubles. Borgen ranked #1 for free throws (199-286) and #7 for points (610), the latter of which smashed a school record (562). Her 21.3 points per game average broke another Cyclone record (18.7) and contributed to her 22 double-doubles. In her best game, Borgen scored 36 points. When these two were “on,” they were a force to be reckoned with. But they did have some help.

Adding to the fray was the skill of freshman forward Ashley Carroll (Beecher), who was named to the All-Conference second team. Carroll was pivotal under the basket, which was sometimes overshadowed by her teammates’ impressive stats. A couple of sophomore guards also aided the Cyclones and were named to the All-Conference second team—Kailey Foster (Joliet West) and Duneya “Dee Dee” Shatat (Oak Lawn).

Despite these accolades, Jones was disappointed that his Cyclones didn’t attain their goals—conference and region championships—and ended the season in the semi-final region playoff game Feb. 27. That disappointment is fueling the fire for the freshmen who plan to return next season.

“These young women are excited for next year and working out now even though I give them time off when we finish our season,” Jones said.

Between the freshmen planning to play again next season, solid recruits and the anticipated return of injured player Sharnita Breeze (Argo), Jones is excited. “I’m very confident for next year. We did damage without Breeze. If she’s back along with our freshmen and other returners who have the experience including three post players who can score and solid recruits coming in, I know we’ll be a dominant team,” he said.

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