The Super 75 – The 4’s – Power and Stretch Forwards
Ok, now we turn to the true forwards. This category employs a multitude of different types of players, from older-school big bodies who played close to the rim to the modern-day stretch four and everywhere in between. It is somewhat eclectic but filled with dynamite players through the years. First, for those just jumping in, here are the parameters…
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.
Here are the first three editions of the women’s Super 75…
https://www.d2easthoops.org/women/features/Super_75/The_Super_75_-_Intro_and_Point_Guards
https://www.d2easthoops.org/women/features/Super_75/The_Super_75_-_Shooting_Guards
https://www.d2easthoops.org/women/features/Super_75/The_Super_75_-_Superstar_Wings
Among all the position groups, this one has the most wide-ranging variety. Some could have fit into the wing/3-spot thanks to their athletic ability and/or scoring skills while others could hold their own in the paint as post players. Still, the mixture makes for a tidy list and when we look at it as a whole, it proves to be a very deep one. Without any further delay…
Lauren Battista (Bentley, ’14) was the ultimate winner, having been a part of four Bentley teams that went 124-11, won the ’14 NCAA crown (the second undefeated champion in D2 history), claimed four straight NE10 regular season and playoff crowns and annexed three regional titles. Individually, Battista won a raft of awards, including the 2014 WBCA Player of the Year and the Honda Division II Woman of the Year and she was the MVP of all four Bentley NE10 playoff titles during her tenure. She’s all over the Bentley record books, too (2,112 points, #2; 821 field goals, #1; 135 games, #1; to name just a few). The 6-foot forward from North Easton, Massachusetts had all the skills anyone could want and was a supreme decision-maker while being a quiet and consistent leader. Nominally listed as a forward, Battista really could play anywhere given her ball-handling acumen, rebounding prowess and superb court awareness. Just being on the floor was enough for her to make a difference. Her inclusion was easy; Battista would have dominated in any era.
Among the many outstanding players in Philadelphia Textile history, Theresa Carroll (’00) stands out to me. The 6-1 product of Philadelphia was an immaculately crisp fundamental player while operating in the paint for four excellent and successful seasons. The Rams won 20 or more games every year Carroll was there (90-35 overall) and made a pair of NCAA tournament showings to go along with it. Their last NCAA tournament victory came during her sophomore year as Textile cemented their place in the regional elite. Carroll still resides in the top 10 in various program categories (2,115 points, #3; 1,033 rebounds, #5; 795 field goals, #3; and 135 rejections, #6) and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2005. A multi-time NYCAC All-Star, she improved every season after earning steady minutes off the bench as a rookie. Carroll wasn’t flashy but every time I watched her play, her mastery of the subtle arts of interior play made an impact and the overall body of work made her an easy choice.
Becky Davison (Bentley, ‘04) was a timeless stretch-four, laden with a skill set that put most to shame. A 6-0 native of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Davison played a key role in helping the Falcons reach the national semifinals in ’03 and claim 107 wins over a superb four-year span. Technically gifted, tough and smart, she earned two 1st team All-NE10 nods and was a Kodak All-American as a senior. Davison closed her career quietly among the best in Bentley history in scoring (1,579 points), rebounds (792), blocks (114) and three-pointers (156) while establishing program records that still stand in three-point (43.9%) and free throw (83.4%) accuracy. One of many standout games in her career saw Davison score 23 points and shoot 10-11 from the floor in an NCAA win over New Haven in ’03, the latter stat a regional tourney record. There have been many lauded players in Falcon history but she came in unheralded and left as one of the best. Don’t doubt how good Davison was; she earned her place at this table.
For those who had the honor of seeing Juana Garcia (AIC, ’96) in action, you know you were witness to a special talent. In my mind, Garcia (6-0, Bronx, New York) was the best player never to win a league Player of the Year award in the region (how does that happen?) but she will retain a top-shelf place in the memory. A three-time All-District honoree, Garcia’s game was like a jazz performance – graceful and calming, yet staccato and jarring when required. She still tops the Yellow Jacket all-time scoring (2,189) and rebounding (1,223) lists, led the team in scoring each season and was a three-time All-NE10 selection. Garcia helped AIC reach levels never dreamed of before her arrival (two NCAA visits, including their tourney first victory; and two-20+ win seasons) and helped the team win 78 games in her four years. She had the post skills of a center, the handle of a point and possessed a relentless nature as a player. There have been many true greats in the region but Garcia stacks up with everyone – a legitimate superstar.
Just how good was Shamika Jackson (Southern Connecticut, ’07)? Watching her was like viewing ballet. Jackson’s skill and basketball IQ were both inordinately high but her fluidity was unique. After a season at Boston College, the 6-1 Manchester, Connecticut native returned to the Nutmeg state and immediately helped transform the Owls from a good team to a regional and national powerhouse. They went 63-6 in her two seasons, winning the national title in ’07, so they were as good as they could possibly be. Jackson scored almost 1,000 points in her two years at SCSU (1K counting her BC season) and was impactful on every inch of the floor; consider her two-year averages of 5.1 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 assists and you get an idea of her versatility. A two-time NE10 All-Star, an All-American and the NCAA regional tourney MVP in ’07, Jackson had length, athleticism and bought into the Owl defensive credo, resulting in the team ultimate success. There was never any doubt that Jackson would be on my list; she was simply superb.
Saint Rose enjoyed a hugely successful period in the ‘90’s and Krista Kandere (’98) was at the heart of their renaissance. A 6-2 bundle of talent from Riga, Latvia, Kandere jumped right into regional and national prominence once she hit the floor. She led the Golden Knights to four straight NYCAC regular season and playoff titles, won three NYCAC Player of the Year awards and was an All-American by her sophomore season. Saint Rose posted a 114-12 record with her in the lineup yet agonizingly never reached an Elite Eight despite her brilliance. Kandere had the full skill set, able to shoot, post, board, defend and run the floor in any situation. She’s still #1 in Saint Rose annals in scoring (1,975 points), rebounds (1,333 boards), field goals (778) and free throws (412), and sits #2 with 212 blocked shots. The numbers were great, the record was great, and her influence on the program (along with fellow Latvian Ilze Auzina) cannot be understated. Kandere’s presence was huge and her legacy at Saint Rose will resonate for a very long time.
Jessica Kitrys (Adelphi, ’14) had a lot going for her and her resume proves that. The 6-0 forward from Parlin, New Jersey joined a Panther program that was struggling to find an identity and, after two years of seasoning, they started their ascent to where they are now, among the regional elite. Kitrys is best scorer in AU history (1,727 points and 712 field goals, both #1 at AU) and shares a piece of the program’s all-time single-game mark (36), so it’s clear she was a vital force in their growth. A three-time NE10 all-star, Kitrys had solid size, worked well on the baseline as well as midrange and the post, a potent amalgam of attributes. The Panthers finally broke through as a unit in her senior season (23-8) and made the NCAA’s with Kitrys shining in their first round overtime win against New Haven (28 points, including the basket to force OT). Her career ended with a 22-point outing in the next round but she went out with her head held high. Kitrys unfairly gets lost in the discussion about recent greats but for me, she belongs in that category. (Photos courtesy Emily Dorko, Associate Athletic Director for External Relations/SWA, Adelphi University)
The stretch-four is a relatively new development in women’s basketball but Paula Kohs (Stonehill, ’92) was at least a decade before her time as an early practitioner. A long, lean 5-10 athlete from Higganum, Connecticut, she was a key player for Stonehill from the start, earning NE10 Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman and backed that up by earning three straight 1st team all-league awards. Kohs had shooting range/accuracy (130 triples at a 41% clip), rebounded well (about 5 a game) and was a defense factor (298 steals), adding to her obvious scoring ability (2,017 points, #3 on the Stonehill all-time list). Her teams made two NCAA visits and posted a 26-5 mark in ’91-’92 with only a great Bentley team denying them league and regional titles. Kohs is the kind of player coaches salivate over these days, a talented player with size and the motor to run the floor and can play any spot. There is no doubt that Kohs would have flourished in any era and her game would have easily translated to the current day and beyond.
One of the most productive players in recent NE10 annals was Liz LeFebvre (St. Michael’s, ‘03), yet she is too rarely remembered. The work ethic of the 6-foot forward from Milton, Vermont was terrific as she worked her way into a prominent place in Purple Knight history. As both a post player and a perimeter threat, LeFebvre shined, and her ability to run the floor and defend made her a complete player. While SMC didn’t have the team success she hoped for (although they did win 17 games in her senior year, a total not surpassed since), she was a dependable factor every winter. LeFebvre ended her career #2 on the SMC scoring chart (1,553 points), #4 in boards (876), #3 in blocks (153) and tops in shooting percentage (53.8%), the latter among the best in NE10 history. She earned co-NE10 Player of the Year and WBCA All-American honors in ’03, a year in which she helped SMC pick up a notable win over nationally ranked Merrimack with a 27-point, 14-carom, 4-block, 4-assist stat line. All told, LeFebvre belongs on this list.
Kylie Lorenzen (SNHU, ’19) brought a wonderful mix of talent and moxie to the frontcourt for the Penmen and is arguably the program’s best player ever. The 6-foot native of Holliston, Massachusetts wrapped up her stellar stint at SNHU as their top scorer (1,798 points), rebounder (932 boards) and free throw taker/maker (462-575 FT), among other things. Her ability to produce despite being game-planned against was impressive and she was able to use her solid frame, skill set and smarts to provide the team with whatever it required. The Penmen posted their first back-to-back winning seasons in almost three decades in Lorenzen’s last two years (17-12 both times), so not only did she bring numbers, she brought victories. She was a two-time honorable mention All-American, the ’16 NE10 Rookie of the Year and a three-time (twice first team) NE10 All-Star, all while adding elements to her game each season. Lorenzen’s legacy will improve under the lens of time but she should be appreciated now as one of her era’s top talents.
If a player ever owned a regional, it was Wanda Maynard-Morris (Pace, ’02), who was simply otherworldly in the ’01 tourney. She was the MVP in that regional by scoring 85 points and grabbing 44 rebounds in three games, including 29/18 against defending champion Saint Rose and 30/15 against host and top seed Bentley, to propel Pace to their second (and most recent) Elite Eight. But Maynard-Morris (6-2; St. Andrew’s, Barbados) enjoyed a fabulous career as a Setter, so don’t think that ’01 explosion was a fluke. She is #2 on the Pace scoring list (1,804 points), #3 on the rebound chart (1,128 boards) and #2 in both steals (346) and blocks (220), illuminating her extraordinary versatility. Maynard-Morris (part of teams that won 77 games) was terrific as a post player but her athleticism, livewire nature and deceptive strength meant she flourished anywhere on the floor (such as the four spot). An All-American as a senior, she was an exhilarating player to watch, could obviously deliver in the clutch and was a lock for inclusion.
Sharmion Selman’s career at AIC (’06) was probably the most notable in program history when personal production and team success are factored together. The 5-11 native of Trinidad and Tobago (but raised in Burlington, Vermont) displayed a ferocious style on the floor, rampaging up and down the floor and influencing both ends. Selman led AIC to the 2006 national title game and 88 wins over four superlative seasons. She was an immediate contributor after a redshirt year, went on to earn three NE10 All-Star nods, and closed her career with 1,987 points, #3 on the all-time AIC scoring list. Selman toggled between the power forward and post positions, with her ability to use strength helping her in the paint and her face up tools and touch aiding her in the mid-range game. The always intense Selman capped her time at AIC with a sensational Elite Eight (68 points and 30 rebounds) as the Yellow Jackets came within six points of a national crown. Her bona fides are unquestionable and easily afford Selman a spot here.
A true power forward, Brittany Shields (Pace, ’13) carved out a great career in Pleasantville. The 5-10 Cold Spring, New York product was a mixture of strength and finesse, using outstanding footwork and a deft touch to keep defenders off balance. After winning NE10 Rookie of the Year honors, Shields missed all but one game as a sophomore with injury but returned to terrorize foes without missing a beat. She eventually earned two NE10 All-Star nods and was vital part of a pair of teams that reached the NCAA tournament, including the regional final in ’11. Shields ended her career with 1,757 points, good for #3 on the all-time Setters scoring list and surpassed the 1K rebound-plateau (1,006 boards) before departing. Her game, despite (or maybe because of) being a bit old school, was ultra-productive and her work at both ends of the floor allowed others to shine. Shields wasn’t a flashy sort but never shirked her duty, which I always appreciated. If you saw her enough, you knew just how effective she was, and that deserves recognition.
Leah Shumoski (USP, ’06) was another interior force, mingling power and dexterity to craft a sensational career. The 6-foot native of Broomall, Pennsylvania was the first D2 player in history to record at least 1,800 points (1,924, #3 at Sciences), 1,000 rebounds (1,030; #3), 250 assists (282), 250 steals (314, #2) and 100 blocks (133, #3), putting the spotlight on her astounding versatility. Shumoski is also tops at Sciences in free throw makes/attempts (518-775) and picked up two CACC Player of the Year awards and three All-CACC nods along the way. The Devils had plenty of success in her time, notching a trio of 20+ win seasons and earning two CACC crowns and NCAA tournament berths. Shumoski was consistent and durable, a pillar that the program and its current success is built upon. Her teams ended up winning 74 games (67 in her final three years), gaining respect every year. Though I didn’t see her a lot, Shumoski always impressed with her attitude and application, so she was always going to have a spot here.
Amelia Simmons (Wilmington ’10) remains one of the great talents in regional annals and deserves proper mention. The lean, lanky frontcourt stalwart for the Wildcats was a marvelously skilled player with the proclivity to excel in most every area of the game. The 5-11 local product (Wilmington, Delaware) was the central part of the last winning WU era (68 victories in her tenure) and closed her career as one of the rare 2K/1K players in the region (2,267 points and 1,069 rebounds), illustrating her excellent production. Simmons guided the Wildcats to a CACC title game appearance in ‘09, was named All-CACC first team thrice and picked up the CACC Player of the Year award in ’10 (the same year she was an Honorable Mention All-American). She was able to take games over at times thanks to her accuracy (46% FG), deep range (141 three-pointers) and defense (162 steals and 116 rejections). Simmons dominates the WU record book and endures as a standout for her, or any, era.
(Left photo taken by Paul Patton, right photo taken by Erin Harvey, courtesy of Dan Lauletta, Sports Information Director, Wilmington University)
Next time out, we move onto the centers on the Super 75 list. Until then, questions, comments, ideas, rants? Glad to hear them. Email me at Anfield13@aol.com.