The women’s basketball team sits 10-11 overall this season. The team’s most recent win is when they defeated South Suburban 76-52 on January 20. They lost to Rock Valley 57-80 on January 22.

MATC freshman center Zirhe Sellers’ presence at the Kishwaukee game on January 17 was the highlight of that game after not playing for four of five games due to an injury. On January 13, she only played for 12 minutes against Bryant and Stratton before sitting out on January 15 against Kankakee. Sellers expressed how good it felt to come back and play well, “I wasn’t really able to play too much [against Bryant and Stratton] because I had injured my shoulder, and they didn’t want to risk me getting more injured,” she said. Sellers adds that she felt able to play as much as she wanted. 

Kishwaukee Game Highlights

The Stormers beat Kishwaukee 69-40 setting set the tone and dominating in the first quarter, with sophomore guard/forward Rachel Schiles scoring seven points, freshman guard Laila Hamiel, sophomore forward Lacee Rodriguez, and freshman center Zihre Sellers each scored four points, and by the end of the quarter, the team took a 21-10 lead. Coach Murrell expressed his surprise at seeing the team come out strong in the first quarter. “I knew we had the interior advantage, but more than anything, I just felt like we came out ready to play today,” he said. 

In the second quarter, the team continued to take control, maintaining its defense against Kishwaukee. The Kougars were scoreless in the final six minutes until 5:20, when the team finally broke through after Kezaria Mitchell scored a layup. Even with the late score from the Kougars, the Stormers still had the lead with 33-21. 

After halftime, the Stormers came out strong with 11-0 points from Mariah Landry, Lacee Rodgridguez, Rachel Schiles, and Zihre Sellers, with both Schules and Sellers finishing with five points. MATC dominated the quarter with 21 rebounds, including 11 on the offensive end, and Emani Summers scored three points, helping the Stormers score nine extra points, stretching the lead going into the fourth quarter. “I think a key part was how we came out in the third quarter,” coach Murrell commented. 

In the fourth quarter, the Stormers were taking over the court as they continued to have control of the ball, making nearly 44 percent of their shots and outscoring Kishwaukee 46-24 in the paint. With their rebounding making a difference, giving them 19-4 – a second chance at scoring. In addition to adding 24 more, maintaining a lead with even a few extra turnovers. MATC’s biggest lead reached 69-39 before closing out the 29-point win. 

Sellers led the team with 15 points, nine rebounds, two blocks, and a steal on 7-for-10 shooting. Sophomore guard/forward Schiles added 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, and three steals, freshman guard/ forward Emani Summers with eight points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks. Freshman guard Sa’Nyai Mitchell scored nine points, and sophomore forward  Lacee Rodriguez added six points and seven rebounds. 

Sellers expressed the amount of hard work the team has put into practice and gave gratitude to both the coaching staff and her fellow teammates. “I get in my head sometimes, but they help me all the time.”