Lady Cougars: 2007 NJCAA Women’s Basketball Regional Champs
With a flurry of crisp passes and outside shooting, Holyoke Community’s own unbeatable Lady Cougars grabbed the title Massachusetts Community College Women’s Basketball Champions.
HCC hosted the two-day tournament at the Bartley Center.
Four colleges were in attendance: Bunker Hill and Quinsigamond Community Colleges from out east, UConn at Avery Point, our Connecticut neighbors to the south, and, of course, Holyoke Community.
The HCC ladies scored and early victory over UConn’s Pointers on the first day of the tournament. The score stood 47 to 36 in favor of the Cougars after a fairly rough game. The foul count was in the double-digits, both teams being fierce competitors. Amanda Czerwiec, number 22, of Easthampton, was particularly ferocious, shouting and swatting at the members of the other team. Thanks to this aggressive strategy, and some astounding rebounds courtesy of number 32, Dominique Finkley, also of Easthampton, HCC prevailed and moved on to the second round.
Their second match, this one against Quinsigamond’s Lady Chiefs, was fairly one-sided, reaching 31 to 18, Cougars, by halftime. After protracted exhibition of their competent defense, the Cougars cinched the win. The final score was 57-38, solidly assuring the ladies’ title as NJCAA Regional Champs. Their record for the season was an unbelievable 19-3.
What did the ladies think about their stunning display?
“I’m thrilled now,” says Holyoke native Stefany Bushley, “but when we were playing we didn’t really think about how close we were. We just focused on the game.”
A wise strategy, it would seem.
This victory came as a particular triumph for Head Coach Al Wolejko.
“We used to sit in those seats,” he says, indicating the bleachers at the Bartley Center
Gymnasium, “and watch other people take the title. This year it was our turn.”
Indeed, the year has been a stunning one for HCC women’s athletics in general. The Lady Cougars soccer squad took home the New England Championship title as well, ending their season with a 14-5-1 record.
Perhaps this year’s most promising young player, sophomore Rachel Colby, was on both the soccer and basketball teams. She was named to the All-American Team for her soccer-field performance as team captain and high scorer.
Wolejko attributes the win to a combination of factors, mostly the ladies’ positive attitude. Humble to a fault, he takes little credit for the team’s success.
“Everybody shares in the victory,” he says, looking proudly on his Cougars.
And yes, in the wake of the glory brought home by both soccer and basketball teams, the school stands a little taller.
We do all share in the victory.
HCC hosted the two-day tournament at the Bartley Center.
Four colleges were in attendance: Bunker Hill and Quinsigamond Community Colleges from out east, UConn at Avery Point, our Connecticut neighbors to the south, and, of course, Holyoke Community.
The HCC ladies scored and early victory over UConn’s Pointers on the first day of the tournament. The score stood 47 to 36 in favor of the Cougars after a fairly rough game. The foul count was in the double-digits, both teams being fierce competitors. Amanda Czerwiec, number 22, of Easthampton, was particularly ferocious, shouting and swatting at the members of the other team. Thanks to this aggressive strategy, and some astounding rebounds courtesy of number 32, Dominique Finkley, also of Easthampton, HCC prevailed and moved on to the second round.
Their second match, this one against Quinsigamond’s Lady Chiefs, was fairly one-sided, reaching 31 to 18, Cougars, by halftime. After protracted exhibition of their competent defense, the Cougars cinched the win. The final score was 57-38, solidly assuring the ladies’ title as NJCAA Regional Champs. Their record for the season was an unbelievable 19-3.
What did the ladies think about their stunning display?
“I’m thrilled now,” says Holyoke native Stefany Bushley, “but when we were playing we didn’t really think about how close we were. We just focused on the game.”
A wise strategy, it would seem.
This victory came as a particular triumph for Head Coach Al Wolejko.
“We used to sit in those seats,” he says, indicating the bleachers at the Bartley Center
Gymnasium, “and watch other people take the title. This year it was our turn.”
Indeed, the year has been a stunning one for HCC women’s athletics in general. The Lady Cougars soccer squad took home the New England Championship title as well, ending their season with a 14-5-1 record.
Perhaps this year’s most promising young player, sophomore Rachel Colby, was on both the soccer and basketball teams. She was named to the All-American Team for her soccer-field performance as team captain and high scorer.
Wolejko attributes the win to a combination of factors, mostly the ladies’ positive attitude. Humble to a fault, he takes little credit for the team’s success.
“Everybody shares in the victory,” he says, looking proudly on his Cougars.
And yes, in the wake of the glory brought home by both soccer and basketball teams, the school stands a little taller.
We do all share in the victory.
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