The BlueWave Women’s basketball team finished their season with a winning record of 18-11, despite their narrow loss to number two-ranked Daytona State during their last regular season game on February 22.

Using their new up-tempo style, the team averaged over 70 points and 44 rebounds per game. Among NJCAA Division I teams, they were nationally ranked for three weeks during the season, and reached as high as number 18 in the country at one point.

In front of a crowd of approximately 300 fans at the game against Daytona State, sophomore forward DeA’ngela Mathis was honored for her contributions to the team. During her second season, Mathis, the only sophomore, was ranked 24th in the country in rebounding and 33rd in points scored per game (NJCAA D-I). She was also a runner-up for the Mid-Florida Conference Player of the Year.

The team had four players who were named All Mid-Florida Conference performers. Mathis and freshman LeAndra Franklin were both first-team All-Conference, while freshmen Malaysia Robinson and Yolizma Cupidan were selections for the second team.

In spite of Franklin’s small stature of 5 feet 1 inch, she finished her first season impressively with over 400 points, 150 assists, 100 rebounds and 100 steals. Franklin was ranked 13th in the country in assists per game and seventh nationally in steals per game. 

“This year’s group was awesome to be around every day. They worked hard and definitely over achieved, especially considering the fact that we had only one sophomore and a number of injuries that brought us down to nine healthy players by the season’s end,” Head Coach John McGraw said. “The groundwork has now been laid, and with four starters returning for our next year, FSCJ should have a nationally ranked team in 2016-17.” 

Coach McGraw and the returning players are now focusing on what’s next. The Women’s BlueWave basketball team has the depth and momentum they need to have another great season next year, and we look forward to cheering them on.

Click here to view the team’s full statistics for the season.