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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Women's Basketball Team Featured in Democrat & Chronicle


The following article appeared in the Democrat and Chronicle, Wednesday, Nov. 16. The article can also be viewed at https://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051116/SPORTS09/511160345/1007/SPORTS

 

MCC poised to continue success in tougher league

Tribunes making the jump to Division I

"mailto:jmand@democratandchronicle.com"Jim Mandelaro
Staff writer

(November 16, 2005) — Tim Parrinello usually isn't shy about his team's greatness, but this fall the Monroe Community College women's basketball coach is playing it close to the vest.

The Tribunes are moving up to the big leagues of junior college, making the jump from Division II to I. They're already ranked 25th in the nation, but Parrinello says there's much work to be done.

"We're just potentially good," he says. "We've already set one school record — number of 3's missed in a game."

It's true that MCC made just 6 of 36 3-pointers against Lakeland last week. It's also true that the Tribunes won by 36 points.

MCC lost two huge backcourt players in Renee Taylor (starting at Miami) and Ashley McMillen (starting at Syracuse).

The Tribunes add 13 new players and return only one starter in Maurita Reid, who moves from shooting guard to the point. But Reid also happens to be one of the most recruited guards in the country, receiving major interest from Division I powerhouse Connecticut, along with Miami, Ohio State, Rutgers and St. John's.

"Miami would sign her today if they could," Parrinello says.

The Tribunes have added St. John's transfer Jennifer Jones, a 6-foot post player from Arkport High; 5-foot-11 Brooklyn freshman Frances Lyons; 6-4 center Jessica Fuller of Queens; and 6-2 freshman Nihjer Richardson of Philadelphia, who can dunk the ball.

So, all that Parrinello modesty? Don't let him fool you, Genesee CC coach Scott Hemer says. "Monroe will be near the top of the Division I rankings come March," Hemer says. "He's loaded!"

Under Parrinello, MCC has fashioned an amazing 275-25 record and won three national titles (including the past two) at the Division II JUCO level.

"This year's team will be his best yet," Hemer predicts.

With MCC moving up, expect Hemer's Cougars to compete for the Region III title and an NJCAA Division II Tournament bid, led by versatile point guard Stephanie Darden and former All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year Latoya Anderson (Greece Arcadia).

In Division III, Fisher returns four seniors from last year's 25-5 club and have one of the area's top inside-outside duos in forward-center Melissa Hartman and guard Kathy Baum. The University of Rochester is coming off a 16-11 season and will look to survive in the highly competitive University Athletic Association with the loss of five post players to graduation.

William Smith made the NCAA Tournament last year, but breaks in its third coach in three years as Lindsay Drury replaces WNBA player Olympia Scott. And at Roberts Wesleyan, spectacular guard Judy Wright is closing in on the school's all-time scoring record and looks to return the Raiders to the NAIA Tournament.

Tom Garigen
Sports Information Director
11/17/2005