By Shy’Ana Thomas
The Grand Rapids Community College women’s basketball team started their season on the road with two scrimmages against Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana Oct. 26 and Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo Oct. 30. The official start of their season was two more away games that both ended in defeat against Bryant & Stratton College and Black Hawk College on Nov. 1-2 that was for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) tip-off.
The Raiders ended their 2023-24 season with a record of 10-16 going on a three-game winning streak. The team averaged 51.2 points per game and 43.3 rebounds per game. Making that a 13.4 shooting difference and 3.7 rebounding difference against their opponents.
The roaster for this year features seven returning players and eight new faces, six of them being fresh high school graduates. The two top score leaders returning are sophomore forward Ava Schultz, who scored 278 points overall last season, averaging 14.6 points per game. She played 698 minutes, started 18 games, and played 19 out of 26 games. Returning player Tia Richard is also a sophomore and a point guard. Last season she scored 236 points with an average of 14.8 points per game, playing 560 minutes and both starting and playing in 16 games. With the contribution from last season, this can put the Raiders on an outstanding run this season.
Here is a look at the GRCC women’s basketball 2024 roster:
Returning players
- Tia Richard, a sophomore and point guard
- Olivia McKellar, a sophomore and point guard
- Ava Schultz, a sophomore and forward
- Sophia Modderman, a sophomore and forward
- Anna Tubbergen, a sophomore and forward
- Tianna Daye, a sophomore and point guard
- Kaylie VanDerhulst, a sophomore and forward
- Trinity Starling, a freshman and forward
The New players:
- La’Anna Griffin, a freshman forward from Wyoming High School
- Angelia Duch, a freshman forward from Jenison High School
- Averi Peot, a freshman forward from Sparta High School
- Katelyn VanAtter, a freshman guard from Allegan High School
- Tatyana Hardiman, freshman forward from Wyoming High School
- Wren Nelson, a freshman center from Mason County Central High School
Coach David Glazier returned for his ninth season with GRCC and couldn’t be reached for comment.
The Raiders are not expected on home court until Wednesday, Dec. 4.
For information and to view the game schedule, head over to Grccraiders.com.
