With a roster full of talent and double last year鈥檚 size, the 好色先生 women鈥檚 basketball team is looking to get back to their winning ways in the 2024-25 season.
Last season, the Cyclones totaled seven players and still played some good basketball. Head Coach Delwyn Jones prides himself on his team finishing seasons over .500, which he has done 17 times in his 24 seasons leading the program. He starts his 25th season with optimism and excitement.
鈥淲e haven鈥檛 been as dominant a force since COVID, but we鈥檙e much deeper, talent-wise, this season, and we feel good about that,鈥� Jones said.
After graduating their top, nationally ranked defensive player last season, the Cyclones will have to be more pure with defense on the perimeter and work the court a little differently with more offensive weapons on the squad, Jones noted. The different structure of the team allows for new tactics and other ways to win.
One returner and two newcomers should be solid at slashing to the basket 鈥� 5-9 sophomore Robin Stevenson (Shepard) and 5-10 freshmen Jadea Johnson (Romeoville) and Shakila Brownlow (Bremen, 5-9). 鈥淪hakila can score but also is a good defender. We hope to get her comfy in our offense,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淛adea is a superb athlete. She鈥檚 strong, lean, fast and can get to the basket almost at will.鈥�
Dynamic sophomore shooters Olivia Baxa (Oak Forest, 5-7) and Deniza Fuentes (Richards, 5-5) are back in the lineup along with freshmen offensive forces Lily Hernandez (Reavis, 5-4) and Isabel Lopez (Reavis, 5-9).
鈥淲e have everything we need for offense, and we鈥檙e hoping the sophomores improve on their season from last year,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淩obin was playing really well at the end of last year, and our three-point shooters [Olivia and Deniza] will keep everyone honest.鈥�
The Cyclones added some height with freshman Keira Clancy (Oak Forest), a 6-1 forward/center who also is on the volleyball team, and Jayla Tobias (Thornton Fractional), a 6-2 transfer center from Loyola University. 鈥淜eira is a good shooter with good moves around the basket. We鈥檙e happy to have her,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淛ayla has such athleticism, and we hope she鈥檒l become a聽 major rebounder and shot blocker.鈥�
Other additions to the squad include 5-10 forward transfer from Oakton College, Apple Guerrero (Argo), who was one of the top scorers in high school and can shoot from the outside. Her high basketball IQ should help the team produce. Another transfer guard from Triton College, Mariah Robinson (Bishop Noll Institute, 5-8), is a tough defender with a solid three-point shot and the ability to move on fast breaks. Freshman guard Delany Doyle (Shepard, 5-7) knows how the game should be played and is able to do all the necessary dirty work on defense.
Although the Cyclones have a few tough teams to face in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and NJCAA Region 4, they believe they can win a conference championship and return to the national tournament.
鈥淲e鈥檙e a very good team, and we鈥檒l be a fast breaking team. We have pretty good speed, and it鈥檚 one of the better shooting teams I鈥檝e had. If we control the paint with our defense, we鈥檒l be tough,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l have to battle, but I think we鈥檙e one of the top teams. It鈥檚 realistic for us to challenge for the conference and region championship.鈥�
Jones is joined again on the sidelines by assistant coaches Erin Drynan, a Moraine Valley alumna, and Arlena Roach.
The Cyclones first home game of the season is Tuesday, Nov. 12, 5:15 p.m., against Harper College.
For updates on Cyclones Athletics and to view the full schedule, visit .
For news media inquiries, contact Maura Vizza, Moraine Valley communications specialist and sports information coordinator, at (708) 974-5742 or Vizzam@morainevalley.edu.
