The Mineral Area men’s basketball team secured its seventh consecutive victory with an impressive performance against Olney Central, winning 89-52 on November 25, 2023. The match took place at Sechrest Fieldhouse, where Ramello Smith led the Cardinals with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, contributing three assists as his team dominated. Lorenzo Shields and Carl Claxton each added 11 points, showcasing the team’s exceptional perimeter shooting, as they hit 15-of-31 from beyond the arc.
With a halftime lead of 50-19, the Cardinals (7-2) demonstrated their offensive prowess, shooting 53 percent overall and making 14-of-21 free throws. The team committed only eight turnovers, setting a strong foundation for their next challenge. They now enter a twelve-day break before facing three tough opponents at Howard College in Texas.
In contrast, the Mineral Area women’s basketball team faced a challenging weekend, beginning with a match against fourth-ranked Gulf Coast State in Panama City, Florida. The Commodores overwhelmed the Cardinals, winning 93-64. Gulf Coast State’s offense, averaging over 103 points in their last seven games, featured five players in double digits, with Arianny De Oliveira scoring 29 points and pulling down six rebounds.
Despite a commendable effort from Mariah Dallas, who scored 25 points off the bench, the Cardinals struggled to keep pace, shooting only 34 percent overall and making just 8-of-36 from three-point range. The Cardinals (4-2) found themselves trailing significantly at halftime, 53-29, and could not recover.
The women’s team faced another tough opponent the following day against NW Florida State, falling 63-47. The Raiders showcased their strength, shooting 55 percent from the field and forcing 17 turnovers. Khoudia Diagne led the game with 20 points and seven rebounds, while Mineral Area struggled offensively, with only seven points combined from their starters.
Dallas returned from a previous injury to lead her team with 17 points in this game. P.J. Reutzel added 12 points on four three-pointers, but the team’s overall shooting woes continued, as they were held to 36 percent overall. The Cardinals will look to regroup as they prepare to host Wabash Valley on Tuesday at 5 p.m.
The contrasting fortunes of the men’s and women’s teams illustrate the challenges and triumphs faced by Mineral Area College athletics this season, as both squads aim to build momentum moving forward.
