Remembering The West Michigan Lady Titans
The West Michigan Lady Titans were one of the most talented and influential AAU teams in the state of Michigan. Seven of the former Titans are headed into their sophomore college basketball seasons. They were an amazing collection of talent,…
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Continue ReadingThe West Michigan Lady Titans were one of the most talented and influential AAU teams in the state of Michigan. Seven of the former Titans are headed into their sophomore college basketball seasons. They were an amazing collection of talent, both on the court and in the classroom. Head Coach Jim Johnson assembled a team full of great kids who not only who loved and cared for each other.
“God only knows that I was so fortunate to have the players that I did as well as the great parents.” – Coach Johnson
We caught up with former West Michigan Lady Titans to see where they stand in their collegiate careers.
Each player was asked 4 questions:
What was your ‘favorite’ moment during last years freshman season?
What end to be the biggest transition from high school to college basketball?
Academically, how was your first year of college?
What are your personal and team expectations for this coming season?
Maddy Watters – Guard at Central Michigan University from Rockford HS *ended up playing a lot for both starting guards in the NCAA tournament
Watters: Some of my favorite moments happened in the post season. First winning the MAC regular season and then the MAC tournament. I thought that was great but then we went on to beat LSU and Ohio State. Beating Ohio State in the second round was like nothing I have experienced or even imagined experiencing! Traveling to Spokane and playing against a tough Oregon team is also a great memory of mine.
Watters: The biggest transition would be the pace. The pace of playing is much faster as well as the pace of thinking. We are expected to play and think much faster than before.
Watters: My first year of college academically went well. Our team received many awards for our accomplishments on the court and in the classroom.
Maddy Watters received the Dee Pommerenk Award, which goes to an underclassman who exemplifies a positive attitude, teamwork and a willingness to contribute maximum effort. Dean’s List with 10 A’s and 2 A-‘s ….
Watters: This year I hope to learn more and become better each time I step on the court. I am hoping to be more confident and have the game slow down. As a team we are hoping to be better than we were before. We are always looking to improve and go one more. We are working hard to be champions!
Shaniya Huggins – Guard at Ferris State University from GR Catholic Central HS (Great Freshman year – Ended up running PG for Bulldogs last half of season )
Huggins: Favorite moment from last season was beating Michigan tech in the playoffs.
Huggins: Biggest transition is the speed of the game – way faster.
Huggins: First year went well, Deans list.
Huggins: Personal expectations – make sure I keep learning and being about the team, and secondly my team expectations are too win the north, and so on from there.
Paige Hallock – Forward / Center at Grand Valley State University from Greenville HS (Sat out 95% of the year due to Mononucleosis and Gall Bladder surgery)
Hallock: Favorite moment was definitely the Ashland game at GVSU. The stands were full with all of the GV athletic teams, families and friends, and our team, despite losing arguably our best player to an ACL tear in the third/fourth quarter, came together and found a way to battle them into and through overtime.
Hallock: The biggest transition for me was the time management that came with being at the gym for 3 to 4 hours a day. I had to figure out different study habits, hours to study, and sleep schedules.
Hallock: Went well considering the Nursing program is known to be one of the toughest programs, if not the toughest, on campus.
Hallock: think the team will have a strong year. We are more experienced this year than last and we’re looking forward to getting better every day. Personally I want to be the best teammate I can be and whether that’s on the court, on the bench, or from the injury reserves I want to give every ounce I can to make this team better.
Sophia Karasinski – Guard at Central Michigan University from GR Catholic Central HS (Sat out 70% of the year getting over an ACL Tear)
Karasinski: Favorite moment: winning mac tourney and going to sweet 16.
Karasinski: Biggest transition: pace of the game is a lot faster.
Karasinski: Academically: It was good, I learned how to manage my time in order to get homework and studying done. I made the Dean’s List with a GPA 3.5
Karasinski: Personal goals: Make an impact, be an aggressive scorer. Team Goals: get farther than we did last year.
Kyra Bussell – Forward / Center at Central Michigan University from GR Catholic Central HS (6th Man most of the year on an NCAA Sweet 16 Team – Great Season)
Bussell: Beating Ohio State at Ohio State in the NCAA tournament and making it to the sweet 16.
Bussell: Speed of the game is a lot faster and more competitive.
Bussell: Carried a 3.98 GPA and made the Dean’s List.
Bussell: Personal goal – expectation is to play my role well whatever that may be. Team goal – expectation is repeat MAC conference champions and repeat MAC tournament champions.
Kaitlyn Geers – Forward / Center at Saginaw Valley State University from Kent City HS (Started more than half of the season for the Lady Cardinals)
Geers: I enjoyed the college atmosphere and my teammates
Geers: The biggest changes were an increase in conditioning and a bigger need for time management.
Geers: Academics went well! I was on the Dean’s List for both semesters.
Geers: Personal Goal – To be a better teammate to help create shots and opportunities. Team Goals: Be in the Top Half of the conference and see the growth of this young team.
Hallee Breimayer – Guard / Forward at GR Community College from Belding HS
Breimayer: One of my favorite moments of last year was getting to know my teammates better on overnight trips and bonding with them to grow our team chemistry.
Breimayer: The biggest transition from high school ball to college ball would be the skill level everyone has and the intensity of the game. It’s a faster pace and a lot more competitive.
Breimayer: Academically I was no better or worse than high school I studied hard to keep my grades at the level I wanted them.
Breimayer: My personal expectations for this season are to be a good team leader and push my team to be the best they can. As a team I want us to focus on the end result of making it to Arkansas for the final tournament game.