With sights set on another successful postseason, the women’s basketball team fought hard. Ultimately, the Blues fell to George Fox 52 – 66 in the Northwest Conference Tournament championship. Senior Maegen Martin (#20) ended her four years as a Blue with a season high score of 28 points, more than half of Whitman’s final score.

“I think being the only senior on this team put me in a leadership position where I had to do my best at all times. At the end of the day, it’s not about me, it’s about how the team performed as a whole. I wish we were given the opportunity to compete in the national tournament because the skill and talent we have is like no other,” said Martin.

Some other notable players in the championship game are Makana Stone (#23) with 10 points and 13 rebounds and Natalie Whitesel (#24) with six points and four assists. Stone along with Mady Burdett (#10) are in the All-NWC first-team.

Assistant Coach Marnie Ketelsen is sad to see the season end early, but knows that the team standard was raised by their performance this year.

“The team this year had some wonderful moments when we played together as one cohesive unit. When we did that, it was great basketball and we were tough to beat. Our leadership developed and grew as the season progressed, people stepped up at the right times,” said Ketelsen. “I think we all accept it as a challenge for next year to not leave it up to the chance to decide our post season.”

“The bids are tough and in my mind they should have been in it,” said Cedric Jacobs-Jones of the men’s basketball team. “Hopefully the NCAA will see that and see how [they] played against nationally ranked [George Fox] and give them a bid in the future.”

Jacobs-Jones and the rest of the men’s team won their championship game against Pomona-Pitzer and will advance into the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.