The Kellogg Community College women’s basketball team is coming off its best season in nearly 20 years. However, the Bruins are now starting fresh.
In her second season as head coach, Sal Konkle led KCC to a conference title and over 20 wins last year. The challenge now is rebuilding, as only one player returns from that successful team.
“Last year, we had seven returners. This year, we have just one,” Konkle said. “It’s a new season, like starting over. But it will be fun. It’s a challenge to put the pieces together. We’re improving a lot already. If we keep progressing, we’ll be fine.”
KCC won the Michigan Community College Athletic Association Western Conference championship for the first time since 2007. The team lost four all-conference players from that squad.
The lone returnee is Alana Compton, a starter who also plays volleyball for the Bruins.
“We have a younger team, but we have a lot of passion,” Compton said. “I think we can build on the success we had last year.”
Konkle is excited about the new recruits, including sophomore transfer Makayla Rain Birchett and freshman Dayshauna Crowley from South Haven.
“We’ve brought in some good players, but they have big shoes to fill,” Konkle said. “It’s all about improving every day.”
Locally, the team adds Harper Creek graduate Imani McCray, who missed much of her senior season due to a knee injury. Other local additions include Audrey Cook from Battle Creek Central, Brailee Wood and Alyssa McCavit from Quincy, Miriam Hibbard from St. Philip, and Eliza Lake, who was homeschooled in the Battle Creek area.
“What I like is that there are many opportunities for younger players to step up,” McCray said. “There’s a lot of excitement around that.”
KCC began the season with an away game against Oakland Community College on Tuesday. The Bruins’ first home game will be on Nov. 13 against the Alma College junior varsity team.
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