By Shane Madden
After a winning season (20-11) that included an eight-game win streak, an impressive late season run that shook up the conference standings and falling just shy of the National Junior College Athletic Association Great Lakes District A championship, the Grand Rapids Community College women’s basketball team continues to impress with five players receiving postseason honors.
Following a dominant defensive season where she led the nation in blocks (99), freshman forward Grace Lodes was named Michigan Community College Athletic Association Western Conference Defensive Player of the Year. She anchored the Raider defense throughout the season, making her presence felt in the paint on a nightly basis. Lodes finished the season averaging 12 points, eight rebounds, 3.6 blocks and 1.4 steals per game.
Lodes joined freshman guard Sally Merrill in being named to the All-MCCAA, All-Region, First Team All-Conference, and the All-Freshman team. Merrill also received her second Conference Player of the Week award for her stellar performance in the conference tournament, leading the Raider offense as she had all season. Merrill averaged 16 points and eight rebounds, one block and one steal per game.
Freshman guard Marlene Bussler joined Merrill on the All-Tournament team and hustled her way to Second Team All-Conference for the season. Bussler averaged 10.5 points per game and led the Raiders in assists and steals for the season. Freshman guard Emersyn Koepke and freshman forward Allison Kellogg received All-Conference Honorable Mention for their contributions.
