By Christina Vazquez
CCC Journalism Program
Since the Cougars championship win in 2009 it’s been a tough few years trying to maintain the team.
Playing with only five athletes, sometimes four due to injury, and adjusting to a new coach, the Cougars have struggled but continue to remain strong on the court.
According to NJCAA 19 website, the Cougars current record is 4-18 losses. This does not reflect how competitive they are in their conference, only losing games by one, three or 10 points.
Head coach, MollyAnne Light said, “Our athletes had a tough season this year, but we gained the respect of many of our opponents through our tenacity and will to win.”
Women's Basketball Team
Athletics Director Peter Dilorenzo, acknowledges the Cougars intense training program and willpower when he attempted to work out with the women during practice, “after five minutes I ran out of breath,” he said.
The sophomore players and starters are Kierra Smith from Lawnside and Courtney Luongo from Pine Hill.
Luongo is 2nd in the region for rebounds with a 14 point average a game. A center, she also is a great rebounder and presence under the basket.
Smith is 8th in the region for scoring with a 16 point average a game. She leads the team in turnovers averaging 6 points a game and also leads in assists averaging 3 points per game.
She can play any position. “A great all-round hustler and go-to on offense,” said Light.
The freshman players have worked extremely hard to improve their game this season. Anna Tsiaris from Clementon is their role player who knows all positions and hustles.
Felicia MacAuley from Magnolia is their power forward who averages 4 points a game, serving as a great compliment to Luongo. Dominique King-Wimberly plays a guard who averages 5 points in turnovers per game and has developed into their shooting guard.
Camden vs. Sussex 67-66 Sussex 1/28/2012
Light’s goals for the upcoming season are to improve on their record, as well as their individual skills as athletes. She would like to have at-least 11 girls on the roster and make the playoffs.
However, with Luongo playing for Rosemont College in the fall and Smith playing at Rutgers Camden next year, the Cougars face yet another hurdle; not enough players.
Light and her assistant coaches, Evan Johnson and Dave Light look forward to a strong recruiting class next year and are excited to build the program up. They hope that CCC students come out to participate and watch next season.
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