The Super 75 – The Superstar Wings
Time to check out the best wings in regional history and, boy, are there some all-time greats here. Before we embark on the list, a refresher on the parameters of the Super 75…
I have been blessed to be able to watch/follow/report on this region (and the whole of Division 2) for the better part of more than three and a half decades. My first season covering the region (in the guises of New England, Northeast and now East) was 1984-’85, so my memory banks are full to bursting. Having seen so many great players, the thought crossed my mind – how can I recognize the ones I considered the best? Of course, this is all subjective. Defining the ‘best’ is an impossible task under even ideal circumstances, so I knew right away that I had to create a set of parameters…
- First and foremost is that I actually had to see this player in action, in person. Not video, not reputation – actually see that player as a D2 player in living color.
- The player had to be playing on a team that was part of the D2 region (New England, Northeast or East) during at least a part of their playing days.
- No current active players considered, only players that has exhausted their eligibility.
To access Part 1 of the series (Intro and point guards), see:
https://www.d2easthoops.org/women/features/Super_75/The_Super_75_-_Intro_and_Point_Guards
To access Part 2 of the series (shooting guards), see:
https://www.d2easthoops.org/women/features/Super_75/The_Super_75_-_Shooting_Guards
No more delay, let’s jump in with the best wings in my mind. These are all-around superstars, the players that teams are often built around. Magnificent skills are a prerequisite but there is another level to these players. They are program-makers who elevate a team upon their arrival to campus. Some had great reputations coming in while others grew into the role of superstar. What they had in common was their level of achievement and the legacy left once they departed. One can make the case that at least half are the best player in their program’s history and the rest were smack dab in the middle of the discussion. Winning was a given with these players – as a group, they amassed 20 regional titles. Sorting this section out was all but impossible, frankly, and the positional issues (many of the players here could be listed as a two-guard or a power/stretch-four) was just as hard. I had to leave at least a dozen legitimate choices off to the side, sadly. In the end, the players chosen stand out as some of the best I’ve ever seen in the area and a few are among the best D2 players ever. Enough chatter, here they are…
To say that Catherine Carr is the best player in Holy Family (’11) history isn’t going out on a limb. The Tigers have had many greats in their wonderful history but Carr is in a class by herself. The 6-0 forward from Bernardsville, New Jersey is all over the HFU record book, in the top 10 in more than a dozen categories, including tops in points (1,995) and field goals made and attempted (767-1838). She’s second in free throws made, tried (336-455 FT) and minutes (3,901), fourth in assists (354), and fifth in boards (744) – you get the idea. A hugely talented all-around player, Carr was a part of teams that went 112-15 (73-1 in CACC play) and won at least one NCAA tourney game each season. She was also a three-time CACC 1st team all-star, 2009 CACC Player of the Year and a 2011 WBCA All-American. Her alliance of physical play sprinkled with subtlety was eternally gratifying to watch. I’ve referred to her as a prototype wing (she also canned 125 three-pointers) and will stick with that assessment. Carr’s footprint at HFU will endure.
Kim Cummings (Bentley, ’96) was a creative and intense force for Bentley in the mid-90’s and left a mark that stands the test of time. The 5-11 Brockton, Massachusetts native was utilized anywhere from off-guard to the 4-spot but wherever she played, she found ways to succeed. Cummings burst to prominence as a rookie with an exceptional game in the national quarterfinals against Norfolk State (32 points in 22 minutes, 15-18 FG) and was the Falcons top NCAA tournament scorer as they went to the Final Four. Cummings’ game developed as time went on but Bentley fell in the regionals the next two seasons before she led the way to the Elite Eight as a senior, earning All-American accolades en route. Cummings had brilliant numbers (1,701 points, #6; 563 assists, #5; 394 free throws, #7) which hold up even now but I will always remember how she matured over the years. She evolved as her career went on amid huge expectations and got the Falcons back atop the region by the time she left. This list would be void without her on it.
Without question, the most exciting player I ever saw in the region was Michelle Doonan (Stonehill, ’95). Doonan was national Player of the Year as a senior and a two-time All-American, and deserved every bit of it. Watching her was like reading Kerouac, an extemporaneous, spontaneous, stream-of-consciousness experience. Calling her creative is a massive understatement and her scoring ability was extraordinary. After a quiet rookie year, the 5-10 Brockton, Massachusetts product (Kim Cummings was a high school teammate) went wild for the next three years, scoring at will. She led the Lady Chieftains to an Elite Eight and a Final Four her last two years and closed her career with all-tourney honors at the Elite Eight, signing off with 26 points against Missouri Western. Doonan holds a share of the single-game scoring mark at Stonehill (39), is in the school’s Hall of Fame and resides #4 with 1,965 points. She was one of the region’s best yet it is hard to convey the level of joy she provided for spectators. A special player in every way.
The best teams in Caldwell history coincide with the last three seasons of Kristen Drogsler’s (’18) career and that is not mere coincidence. The 5-10 athlete from Middle Village, New York stands as the most dynamic player in Cougars history and helped them reach the NCAA tournament twice as well as winning 20+ games thrice. She was a dangerous scorer with the kind of diversified skill set (1,742 points, 223 three-pointers and 624 free throws) that meant opponents could only hope she had a bad night. Drogsler was incredibly active all over the floor (372 assists and 112 rejections) so it wasn’t all about scoring. She earned CACC all-league honors three times (twice on the first team) and claimed the CACC Player of the Year award in 2017, getting the recognition her talent and application deserved. I didn’t have the chance to see Drogsler frequently but she always showed out on those occasions (like a 21-point, 16-rebound effort in the NCAA loss to Molloy in ’17) and there is no doubt in my mind that Droglser would have shined in any era. (Photo courtesy of John Tagliaferri, Director of Athletic Media Relations, Caldwell University)
I’m not exactly sure how to write a short bio about Johannah Leedham (Franklin Pierce, ’10) except to say she’s on the short list of best D2 players I ever watched when I toss skills, production and achievement into the mix. Leedham (5-11, from Ellesmere Port, England) was as ferocious as any competitor I ever saw in person (any sport or gender), so much so that it was almost scary. She holds the Division II national record for points (3,050) and is in the top 10 all-time in scoring average (24.2 ppg), and steals (459). Leedham won so many individual awards, this site doesn’t have enough bandwith to record it all but let it be noted that she was a two-time WBCA Player of the Year and three-time All-American. She led the Ravens to a 103-25 record, three regional crowns and to the 2009 national title game, the latter about the only thing missing on her resume. As I said in last year’s All-Decade team column, we were lucky to have Johannah Leedham in the region, since there will never be another like her – and if there is, I hope I am alive to see it.
If the question is, who was the best pure talent in regional history then my answer is Nana Lukengu Corts (Saint Rose, ’01). The 6-footer from Kinshasa, DR Congo reminded me of a river - the way she moved on the floor was smooth and rhythmic but also highly destructive. After playing in the ’96 Olympics for Zaire (now DR Congo), Lukengu Corts arrived in Albany with sky-high expectations and lived up to all of them. In her three seasons she won league Player of the Year honors every time (twice in the NYCAC and once in the NE10) and posted an 89-7 record. Lukengu Corts was a central figure in the Golden Knights ‘00 regional title and was a multi-time All-American. Her all-time stats popped (1,658 points, including the top three single-season marks at Saint Rose; 396 steals, 659 boards, 341 assists) and remain among the best in program annals but it was how she played that was so mesmerizing. The talent was obvious, the achievements matched it and I still say she is among the five best I have ever seen in Division II.
From a rookie year where she scored 48 points to the MVP of the Elite Eight and a national championship is the rare path that Southern Connecticut’s Kate Lynch (’08) traversed. The 5-11 native of Rumford, Rhode Island took time to get accustomed to the college game but once she did, she was one of the best in the nation. The Owls won 29 games in her sophomore year, when Lynch broke out, but lost a heart-breaking regional final at home. Nothing stopped SCSU the next year, as they went 34-2 with Lynch earning NE10 Player of the Year and All-American honors. She sparkled in the spotlight, tossing up point/rebound totals of 27/10 (vs. Drury), 22/12 (vs. UC-San Diego) and 14/10 (vs. Florida Gulf Coast) in the Elite Eight to lead the way to the crown and eternal greatness. Lynch, entering her sixth year as head coach at SCSU, played the game with passion and stands among the best in Owl history in a variety of areas (such as 1,779 points and 650 field goals). An exceptional competitor and inspirational force, Lynch’s resume speaks for itself.
The golden period in Merrimack history was in the middle of the ‘00’s, with Joelle Martin (’06) front and center. While the Warriors had a number of excellent players, the 5-8 whirlwind from Somerville, Massachusetts was at the center of their success. Mixing explosiveness with grit and sensational offensive skills, Martin led MC to back-to-back Final Fours in ‘04 and ‘05 and earned plenty of individual spoils along the way. The three-time NE10 All-Star was terrific in big moments, including claiming regional MVP honors in ’05, following that with magnificent work in the Elite Eight, where she scored the winning basket against St. Cloud State (part of a 27-point effort) and submitting a 17-point, 11-board, 7-block gem against Seattle Pacific in the semifinals. Martin remains atop the MC scoring list (2,038) and is in the top ten in a variety of other categories. Her consistent attacking of the basket was bolstered by her deep range (137 triples), making Martin one of the most prolific and scary scorers in regional annals.
I’ve always had a soft spot for players that overcame a serious injury early in their career and still went on to shine. That’s Stacy Mattioli (Assumption, ’01) writ large. The 5-9 native of Sturbridge, Massachusetts began her stint as a Greyhound with a superb rookie year (NE10 Rookie of the Year, 18.4 ppg) but missed her second season with an ACL tear. Undaunted, Mattioli bounced back to return and eventually led AC to their first 20-win/NCAA tournament season in 2000. She was a clever yet relentless player who overcame a lack of size and explosion to score a program-record 1,791 points and drill 275 three-pointers (also #1 in team history). Mattioli got to the foul line constantly (432 free throws at 80.7%, the latter #1 in Assumption annals) and even snagged about five boards a game, showcasing her determination and will. The force with which she played was a key feature of her game and without question made her AC’s most productive player ever. She was worth watching every single time she played, a self-made star.
By almost every metric, Amy Molina (’93) is the preeminent player in St. Michael’s history. The 5-9 native of Keene, New Hampshire presided over the most successful period in Purple Knights annals and did so thanks to a hard-nosed yet effective style. SMC’s all-time leading scorer (1,933 points), Molina helped the team to 67 wins during her tenure and the only two national rankings they ever attained. She blended the scoring tools of a small forward (pull-ups, drives and 
midrange shots) with the defensive ability and board work (850 caroms) of a power forward. Molina tops the SMC charts in games played (116), field goals (735) and free throws (443), illustrating her versatility. She was consistent (double digits in 103 of her 116 contests), durable and set a culture that helped SMC compete in a deep NE10. Molina, NE10 Player of the Year and All-American as a senior, held 19 program records upon graduation and still holds many of them. Her talent and production easily puts her among the top players in region history. (Photo courtesy Josh Kessler ’04, Director of Athletic Communication, St. Michael’s College)
Of all the Bentley superstars, I think Kim Penwell (’93) was the most underrated. Even though the 5-10 product of Meriden, Connecticut was a multiple All-American, I contend she isn’t appreciated as much as she should be. Put her anywhere on the floor (from 2-guard to power forward) and Penwell was dominant, using her physical and cerebral skills to lead a magnificent Falcon team to four straight Final Fours. She entered the national spotlight with a 33-point effort against Jacksonville State in the ’91 quarterfinals and was all-tourney at the Final Four, and then nailed down NE-10 Player of the Year honors the next season. Injury marred her senior year (she played only 18 games) but Penwell gutted it out to spearhead Bentley to another Final Four. If she was healthy… we’ll never know. As it stands, Penwell scored 1,586 points (#10) and still holds the top spot in free throws made (516) and attempted (672) at Bentley. Her astounding ability to adapt and excel cannot be overstated, placing her in the regional pantheon.
Excellent players from foreign shores dot the Super 75 and I cannot forget about Dina Ragab (NYIT, ’16), a 6-foot forward who calls Cairo, Egypt her native land. Ragab had a relatively slow start as a Bear (just 6.7 ppg as a rookie) but soon grew into the American version of the game and eventually graduated as the best player in program history. My description after seeing her in action a few times was as a springy, athletic and fiery player who collected excellent numbers, topping the NYIT all-time list with 1,565 points and 134 blocks, as well as showcasing her overall skills on the glass (830 boards), with the ball (267 assists) and on defense (175 picks). She was a player who constantly attacked the game and left no doubt about her will to win. Ragab was the centerpiece in leading her team to the 2016 regional title game, where she netted 29 points and hauled in 15 caroms in a gallant loss to Bentley. She rightfully earned ECC Player of the Year honors as a senior, capping a memorable career as NYIT’s best.
If watching all-around players in action is your thing, you would have loved Queens’ Madison Rowland (’17). The 5-10 superstar from Albany, New York literally did it all for the Knights, leading them to a regional crown as a senior and claiming national Player of the Year honors (along with a bucket full of regional awards). Her numbers were incredible, illustrated by the fact 
that she is the only women's player in NCAA history to amass at least 2,000 points (2,375), 1,000 rebounds, 400 steals (507!), 400 assists, and 100 blocks (Cheryl Miller did it at USC before steals and blocks were official stats) and she’s all over the ECC record book. Rowland’s game featured power, speed and anticipation, making her a constant threat from baseline to baseline. She guided QC to 90 wins over four years, including a 27-5 mark in ’17, the program’s best ever record. Rowland brought the glory back to what was an iconic team in the early days of the sport and eventually proved to be the best player to wear Knights duds. (Photo taken by Brendan Ormsby, courtesy of Queen’s Director of Operations Navraj Sandhu)
A strong, versatile player, Tracie Seymour (Bentley, ’92) was another rock-solid lock for my list. She was part of a glorious run in which the Falcons won four straight regionals, rolled up a 126-12 record and was a vital part of every unit. Seymour (5-9, from Chicopee, Massachusetts) used her athletic skills to carve out a bench role as a rookie but quickly ascended into the starting five and was productive and clutch in big games. As a sophomore, Seymour made the all-tourney team in the regionals and at the Final Four (where she netted 16 points in the semifinal win over Oakland, MI) and repeated that as a junior at the Final Four. Her best single-season output was as a senior (16.5 ppg) and she finished with a rush, leading the team in scoring in nine of her last ten games. Seymour’s all-time numbers at Bentley are excellent (1,652 points, #8) but it was her knack of making the right play at the right time, which stands out. Although Bentley had amazing balance in her time there, Seymour was always a clear standout, forever capable and productive.
Kristen Skoglund (St. Anselm, ’96) might be a surprise to those who never saw her in action but the 5-10 gem from Glastonbury, Connecticut was legit. A long, lanky wing, Skoglund was an A+ defender from the start but had to bide her time to get big minutes as the Hawks were in the midst of a great period. She scored only 224 points through two seasons but already had the respect of her teammates and developed into an all-NE10 player as an upperclassman. She helped St. A’s go 25-6 as a junior and the following year, as the only returning starter, she exploded. Skoglund racked up 23 points and six boards a night, pilfered 100 steals (including a Hawk record 12 in one game) and garnered All American honors (along with NE10 Defensive Player of the Year accolades), leading her team to 16 wins. Career numbers (1,155 points) do not come near reflecting her impact on the floor. Her former coach, Donna Guimont, summed it up adeptly when she called Skoglund the best player she ever coached. If you never saw Skoglund play, it was your loss.
Next time, we move onto the fours, the power/stretch forwards, on the Super 75 list. Until then, questions, comments, ideas, rants? Glad to hear them. Email me at Anfield13@aol.com.