By Chyann Kelly

JAMESTOWN, NY - Jamestown Community College (JCC) Women's basketball can be described by three words: Persistent. Relentless. Gritty. Many more come to mind, but these represent the 2023-2024 lady Jayhawks. Jamestown started the season with a subpar record of 2-7. The Jayhawks turned things around, going 11-5 the rest of the regular season. Giving up was not an option. 

"The dedication and motivation the team had to be better and to start winning was a prime example of never giving up. We all started to play as one, and I'm glad as a team, we decided to turn things around," said Angelique Palacio.

Turning to the box score, JCC was led by Keturah Stewart in points with an average of 15.6 per game, Chyann Kelly in assists with 2.3 per game, and Grace Lundmark leading in rebounds with 7.3 per game. It's no surprise these three players made the All-Region 3 teams, with Stewart and Lundmark making first team and Kelly making second team.

"Even though myself, K5 (Keturah Stewart), and Chy (Chyann Kelly) may have led in certain stats, everyone contributed. From the starting five to everyone on the bench, we needed everyone to achieve what we did this year," added Grace Lundmark.

Speaking of Region 3, the Jayhawks had deja vu last year, again beating Monroe Community College in the semi-final game but falling short against Niagara Community College in the championship. Despite the loss, Stewart and Kelly were recognized for their performances during the Region Tournament, getting placed on the All-Tournament team.

"Coming up short two years in a row is obviously not what we wanted to happen, but I think we did grow as a team and individuals over the course of the season. For me and I think several others on the team, it is all about leaving behind a legacy. Personally, I hope to have left behind the legacy of hard work and relentlessness," mentioned Chyann Kelly. 

JCC will have large shoes to fill as starters Kelly, Lundmark, Hayley Dawson, and Angelique Palacio all graduate. They hope some of the pressure will be relieved by returners Kaleigha Plett, Grace Guarino, Mbali Mhlanga, Myla Truitt, Deziree Mount, and Courtney Martin. With Truitt being the 4th leading scorer and Martin the 2nd leading rebounder, the Jayhawks enter the 2024-2025 season with some key components of last year.

"Gutted we couldn't get the banner this year. But super excited to see what next year's returners can achieve," said Hayley Dawson.

Overall, the JCC Women's basketball team continued to build on the Jayhawk culture of hard work and family. Next year, Jamestown eyes bringing home the championship.