By: Devin Jones
Joliet Junior College women's basketball delivered a dominant performance Saturday as the Wolves defeated Wilbur Wright, 97-53.
Entering the day needing three wins to secure a playoff spot, JJC came out aggressive with a relentless full-court press that quickly set the tone. The Wolves jumped out to a commanding 32-13 lead in the first quarter and carried that momentum into halftime with a 51-36 advantage.
The Wolves (11-13) continued to control the tempo in the second half, overwhelming the Rams on both ends of the floor to seal the victory.
Demi Page led the way with 23 points and eight rebounds, while Samantha Casanova added 21 points. Destynia McGruder made her presence felt with 18 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks in a dominant all-around performance.
"Everybody bought into their role today," Cassanova said. "We played together and we've been striving for unselfish wins and team basketball, which showed today. It wasn't just about the win but a celebration for our sophomores."
The evening marked Sophomore Night, as McGruder, Page and Makenna Boyle were honored following the game.
Head Coach Shaun Sanderson praised the trio for their impact on the program.
"They surely are going to be missed," he said. "Makenna and Des have only been with us for a year since they transferred in, and they have made great contributions to our team and have been great role models on and off the court. Demi, who has been here for both years, has made great progression and has bought into the system. I can't say how much I appreciate her. As a family, we will always be connected for life, so this is just the start of the relationship."
With the Wolves controlling their destiny and the rest of the season tightening, Sanderson emphasized the urgency moving forward.
"Playoffs start right now, and that's the mindset we want to have. The girls are hungry, and we want to win."
Page also reflected on her development during her time at JJC.
"I feel I've grown a lot, from offense to defense to learning certain sets and when to pick my spots. I'm still learning, but I've definitely grown," Page said. "I think it was good energy today. We needed this win to get our momentum up, and we're going to carry it to the next."
With the victory, the Wolves now need to win their next two games to clinch a playoff berth. JJC returns home on February 17 at 5 p.m. to face Harper College.
