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DOWAGIAC — Lake Michigan College, with first-year coach Sarah Svoboda, has been selected by the Michigan Community College Athletic Association Western Conference coaches to claim the conference championship.

The Red Hawks finished fifth last year in the Western Conference. But with both Muskegon Community College and Grand Rapids Community College moving to the newly created Northern Conference, it leaves the Western Conference wide open. Lake Michigan collected four first place votes.

Picked to tie for second is Glen Oaks Community College with second year coach Robbie Hattan at the helm. The Vikings finished last year was 8-20, 6-12 and end up in sixth place. They lost in the first round of the NJCAA Great Lakes District A Tournament. Glen Oaks CC picked up on first place vote.

Also picked to finish second in the MCCAA Western Conference is Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The Cougars finished tied for seventh last season with a 5-18, 5-13 record.

Picked to finish fourth in the Western Conference is Lansing Community College. The Stars finished ninth last season with a 6-22 overall record and 4-14 conference mark. Lansing picked up a first-place vote.
Returning to the MCCAA after 26-year hiatus, the Roadrunners of Southwestern Michigan College are picked ot finish fifth in the Western Conference. The Roadrunners, who will be led by Jeanine Wasielewski, picked up the last first place vote.
Picked to finish sixth is Marian University’s Ancilla College. The Chargers tied for seventh last season with a record of 9-15, 5-13. They fell in the first round of the NJCAA Great Lakes District A Tournament. Ryan Gould takes the helm this year for the Chargers.
Finally, picked to finish seventh is Kellogg Community College. Tbe Bruins finished last in the Western Conference last year with a 1-23 overall and 1-17 conference mark. New coach Sal Konkle will look to move the Bruins up the standings this season

LAKE MICHIGAN COLLEGE
HEAD COACH: Sarah Svoboda
COACHING RECORD: 0-0, 1st Season
LAST SEASON: 18-10, 12-6 MCCAA Western
RETURNING PLAYERS: 6 Players, 3 Starters
TOP RETURNERS:
G: Aaliyah Reno (Western Conference Honorable Mention)
G: Aalyah Watson (Western Conference Second Team, Western Conference Defensive Team)
G: Kalyah Watson
F: Ellary Darling
TOP NEWCOMERS:
C: Arial Ford
F: Brooke McDonald
F: Karissa Gest
KEY LOSSES:
NONE
TOP NON-CONF OPPONENTS:
Macomb CC
Kankakee CC
Milwaukee Area TC
OUTLOOK:
The Red Hawks return six players from last year’s roster. With a year experience under their belt and hard off season work the Red Hawks plan to be at the top of the Western Conference and make a run for regionals this season.

 

GLEN OAKS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
HEAD COACH: Robbie Hattan
COACHING RECORD: 8-20 (1st year)
LAST SEASON: 8-20, 6-12 MCCAA Western
RETURNING PLAYERS: Returners: 3 Starters:              3
TOP RETURNERS:
F: Hannah Outlaw
G/F: Zharia Hotobah-During
G/F: Angel Gary
TOP NEWCOMERS:
F: Eliana Wilson (All-State AP, BCAM. All League, All time Leading scorer and rebounder)
F: Morgan Marvin (All-League)
G: Peyton Rangell: (All-League)
KEY LOSSES:
F: Alajiah Dillard
TOP NON-CONF OPPONENTS:
Owens Community College
Edison State Community College
St. Clair Community College
OUTLOOK:
The Vikings return three starters from last year’s team that saw a lot of growth. The Vikings welcome in 12 talented freshmen and the transfer of Maya Wilson from Kellogg Community College and hope to compete for a division championship.

 

KALAMAZOO VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
HEAD COACH: Felicia Thomas 
COACHING RECORD: 14-39 (3 years)
LAST SEASON: 5-18, 5-13 MCCAA Western
RETURNING PLAYERS: 12 returners, 3 starters
TOP RETURNERS:
PG: Abigail Long
G: LaNeshia Burse
F: Jakya Rimpson
TOP NEWCOMERS:
F: Hannah Valier
G: Taylor Rickli
G: Cali Miller
KEY LOSSES:
None
TOP NON-CONF OPPONENTS:
Muskegon CC
Cuyahoga CC
Bryant and Stratton (OH)
OUTLOOK:
We have some experienced leadership in returning point guard and MCCAA Player of the Year in Abigail Long. Along with transfer and second team all-conference player Hannah Vallier. We also have a very fresh talented group of freshmen who are eager to compete. We have endless ability to score and we are developing a solid presence on the defensive end of the floor.

 

LANSING COMMUNITY COLLEGE
HEAD COACH: Layne Ingram
COACHING RECORD: 41-97 (5 years)
LAST SEASON: 6-22, 4-14 MCCAA Western
RETURNING PLAYERS: Returning Players: 4, Starters: 3
TOP RETURNERS:
F:  Elysia Causley
G: Riley Merryfield
TOP NEWCOMERS:
F: Alivia Densmore
PG: Oliva Gean
G/F: Shay Dziewiatkowski
KEY LOSSES:
None
TOP NON-CONF OPPONENTS:
Mott
Detroit Dodgers
OUTLOOK:
The Stars are going to be competitive this year with four returners – two making Honorable Mention last year and poised to be on 1st team and the addition of an excellent shooting point guard and two standout high school MHSAA champion freshmen.

 

SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE
HEAD COACH: Jeanine Wasielewski
COACHING RECORD: 0-0 (1st Year)
LAST SEASON: 0-0 New program
RETURNING PLAYERS: None. New program
TOP RETURNERS:
NONE
TOP NEWCOMERS:
G: Cameron Thomas
G: Macey Laubach

F: A’naejah Kirkland
KEY LOSSES
None. New program
TOP NON-CONF OPPONENTS:
Muskegon Community College
Grand Rapids Community College
Owens Community College
OUTLOOK:
Our women’s basketball program is returning to the court after a 26-year hiatus from competition. We will have a young group with talent in the shooting guard, wing and power forward positions.

 

MARIAN UNIVERSITY’S ANCILLA COLLEGE
HEAD COACH: Ryan Gould
COACHING RECORD: 0-0 (1st Year)
LAST SEASON: 9-15, 5-13 MCCAA Western
RETURNING PLAYERS: Returners: 3, Starters 2
TOP RETURNERS:
PG: Alexis German
PG: Micah Grady
PF: Ellie Fausnaugh
TOP NEWCOMERS:
SG: Kyra Duncan
SF: Jayci Allen
KEY LOSSES:
None
TOP NON-CONF OPPONENTS:
Owens CC
Edison State
Lincoln Trail
OUTLOOK:
We have three returning players and seven newcomers so we have a lot of work to do in order to get cohesion within the team. We hope to come together in time for MCCAA play in January.

KELLOGG COMMUNITY COLLEGE
HEAD COACH: Sal Konkle
COACHING RECORD: 0-0 (1st Year)
LAST SEASON: 1-23, 1-27 MCCAA Western
RETURNING PLAYERS: Returning 1. Starters: 1
Top Returners:
G: Maddie Edwards
TOP NEWCOMERS:
G: Jaelyn Hampton
G: Shayla Ardis
F: Sara Bruns
KEY LOSSES:
None
TOP NON-CONF OPPONENTS:
Milwaukee Area Tech College
Oakland CC
Macomb CC
OUTLOOK:
There is nowhere to go but up.