Women’s basketball team takes care of grades and opponents, recieves President’s Cup
Spencer Gleason
– Sports Editor –
With all the hoop-la surrounding the men’s Magic basketball team and head coach Randy Albrecht’s 700th career win earlier this season, the lady Magic have brought their “A” game to the court and in the classroom.
In just her second season at the helm, head coach Shelly Ethridge has led the Magic to their best start ever in its program’s history.
With a record of 16-1 and averaging just over 70 points per game, the lady Magic are ranked number 20 in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) polls that were released on Jan. 19.
“Our kids have a goal in mind,” said Ethridge during a post-game interview after their win against Penn Valley, 72-56.
“They would like to be undefeated, but we’re taking it one game at a time. We don’t look past tomorrow. We realize that everybody’s getting better and anybody can be beaten on a given night. So we know we have to play come game time.”
Taking the goals they have set for themselves on and off the court to heart, the lady Magic have scored another kind of victory; this time in the classroom.
When it comes to opening up a textbook and doing their homework, the lady Magic have proven they are a grade-A squad.
Collectively, they posted the highest composite grade-point average for the fall 2010 semester. STLCC-Meramec Interim President Zerrie Campbell presented the 13-member squad with the President’s Cup, the highest honor a team can receive for their academic success.
“It’s just fantastic,” Ethridge told Meramec after receiving the award. “I’m so elated for this team because they’ve worked so hard and deserve all the accolades that they’re getting. Not only are we doing the job on the court, but we also won the President’s Cup academically, so they’re getting the job done in the classroom as well. I’m really proud of this team.”
From the get-go, Ethridge has stayed the course, keeping her preaching to the Magic the same since preseason began. School comes first, play is second. Her team has responded by winning. They have won not just in the game of basketball but in the classroom as well.
“Being 16 and 1 is just fantastic and I’m really happy about that,” Ethridge said, “but most important is that our kids are getting the job done in the classroom. Academics come first with my team and basketball is second. Receiving the President’s Cup is the best award that we could receive.”
