“The Sky is the Limit” for Women’s Basketball
REID HARMAN | THE HARBINGER
EAST PEORIA — Basketball excellence has been a yearly tradition for the Illinois Central College Cougar women’s basketball team, first introduced by Hall of Fame coach Lorene Ramsey. That tradition has been graciously handed-down to first year head coach and also Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame Coach Karrie Redeker.
“I feel very fortunate to Lorene Ramsey as a mentor, she has been to a handful of our practices and to all of our games,” said Redeker. “Not only is she a great mentor but I also consider her a friend because when I ask her for advice she’s going to tell me the truth and not sugarcoat things.”
Coach Redeker has been nothing shy of excellent in her first season. The Cougars are currently ranked number four in the NJCAA Division II National Poll and are sitting at a 20-3 record heading into the last stretch of the season.
“Every game for us is the next important game, we don’t worry about what anybody’s record is or their ranking,” said Redeker. “We understand that every team is going to give us their best shot because of the number four ranking or our tradition.”
REID HARMAN | THE HARBINGER
Tonight the Cougars will visit Godfrey, Illinois to take on Lewis and Clark Community College. Following that game the Cougars will continue their road-trip and travel to Champaign to take on Coach Redeker’s previous team, Parkland College.
“I don’t want our kids to put any extra focus on this opponent, it’s just like the rest if we win it goes on the left side of the column, if we lose it goes on the right,” said Redeker. “It will be easier to prepare for me, because I know their team and I know their tendencies.”
With under a month left until the Region tournament the Cougars coaching staff will continue to set the bar high and strive for excellence in order to earn a top four seed in the Region and a chance to reach the National Tournament.