This was not a year the Cyclone women's basketball team was able to prepare for a conference championship run or a trip to nationals. But it was an opportunity to play some ball and prove they have the skills to turn heads next season.
The Cyclones had to postpone their regular season from November to January due to COVID-19 restrictions. Then it was canceled before they were allowed to play up to 10 games unofficially starting in March, none of which counted toward their record. They faced a few repeat teams, didn't play their usual 30-plus games, but that didn't matter. They were just happy to play.
"I wanted them to be able to play and have some kind of season. These were just games to build camaraderie and build connection," said Head Coach Delwyn Jones, who ended his 21st season leading the program. "The women appreciated the opportunity to play. It was a good experience."
Prior to the spring semester, some players transferred to colleges or universities to compete in official seasons, which cut down personnel, Jones explained. However, he and the coaches knew of the talent the athletes had on the team; they just didn't have enough time to practice. While some colleges were allowed to compete since September, the Cyclones only had two practices before their first game on March 9.
Of course, they wanted to win, but that wasn't the focus to start. However, after losing the first four games, morale started to wane. Once they found their groove and started to gel, the coaches focused the second half of the season on winning. And they did, going 4-1.
"We had as much or more talent than these teams. We weren't going to be a well-oiled machine, but it was a good group," Jones said.
Their final game of the season was a refereed matchup April 6 with alumnae who spanned from 2004 to 2017 with the current team winning 81-61. The alumnae included a former All-American and several players who competed with Moraine Valley at the national tournament.
Because the NJCAA allowed sophomores an additional year of eligibility due to the pandemic, a few of them plan to return in the fall when the Cyclones hope to play a more normal season. Starting sophomores Chelsea Cross and Kirsten Kamholz expressed a desire to come back, along with several freshman. Plus, Jones has a few recruits signed to make an impact.
"I'm excited about the majority coming back, and we're adding some size, so we'll be able to compete. I expect us to have the talent to compete the way we always have, and I think the team does, too. They saw they had potential this year. They started to understand the big picture," Jones said. "We were encouraged by how we closed out the season. I always knew the talent was there."