Plenty of lessons were learned, and several athletes earned honors at the end of the Cyclones basketball season.
This team of nine was comprised of hard-working players who gave everything they had. However, they weren't able to maximize their talent. "We were better than our record. We were better than a .500 team. We just didn't achieve as much as we should have, which includes players and coaches," said Head Coach Delwyn Jones, who finished his 23rd year leading the program.
Overall, the Cyclones finished 15-16, going 8-7 in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and ending the season in the Region IV semifinals. This wasn't the typical 20-game win season the Cyclones are accustomed to. "My tactics may have worked for other players but not this group. But we all learned lessons to be more successful next time. I have to learn from this season as well as the players. We'll analyze and make changes, just like in life," Jones explained.
Despite the results, the Cyclones had a talented crew, several of whom earned honors.
Third-year player Reagan Cameron (Oak Lawn) was the leading scorer, averaging 17 points per game. She broke the Moraine Valley record for number of three-pointers (81) in a season with 85. For her performance, she earned All-Region IV and All-Conference first team honors.
Sophomore Autumn Jones (Tinley Park) and freshmen Jayla Lamb (Evergreen Park) and Aubree Schultz (Lincoln-Way West) each earned All-Conference honorable mention. Schultz and sophomore Mary Chronopoulou (Reavis) could shoot well from the perimeter and knock down threes in key situations. Jones and Lamb could get the ball and attack the basket every time to make a difference for the Cyclones. Andrea Robertson (Eisenhower) was the freshman center who, according to Coach Jones, was one of the best shot blockers in the region and could easily defend the post.
Sophomore Janiyah Hilliard (South Shore) did everything the Cyclones needed. She had the hustle, rebounded and scored. Aden Edebali (Turkey) transferred from Morton College and really became an aggressive force in the second half of the season.
Looking ahead, Jones expects a solid core of Schultz, Lamb, Robertson and Colleen Zaremski (Oak Forest) to return. Zaremski is an athletic and defensive player, who also has the ability to score. They, along with some talented recruits, should contribute to the continued success of the program.