Written By Rob Beckmann @Coach_Beckmann
Back-to-back seasons have included a NJCAA Region VI Championship, a Jayhawk Conference Championship, 44 total wins, and numerous All-Conference and All-Academic selections. Now, the Independence Pirates Women's Basketball team is sending seven players to four-year schools to continue their college basketball careers for the 2022-23 season.
These ICC alums will be competing at the NCAA Division-1, Division-2, and NAIA levels.
Maisa Marcal, who was among the most recruited JUCO players in the country, shined for the Pirates at the point guard position and fielded over 20 NCAA Division-1 offers. Ultimately, Marcal signed with Grand Canyon to play for Head Coach Molly Miller. The Lopes compete in the WAC and posted a 22-10 overall record last season (14-4 in Conference).
Delani Harris brought heart, soul, and on-court production to help power the Pirates on both of their championship runs. As a starter, she averaged double-digits in scoring both seasons in Independence. Harris received offers and interest from multiple NCAA Division-1 and Division-2 schools. Delani chose to continue her career at New Mexico Highlands with Head Coach Garett Sherman.
Mira Khan proved to be one of the most versatile forwards in the country, along with being a top student-athlete academically, graduating with two degrees. Khan received offers and interest from numerous NCAA Division-1 and Division-2 schools, including those from the Ivy League. She shot 37.3% from three-point range, grabbed over five rebounds per game, and posted several double-digit scoring performances. Mira will continue her career at Missouri Southern with Head Coach Ronnie Ressel. Last season, the Lions notched a 24-7 overall record and won the MIAA Regular Season Conference Championship for the first time in program history.
Jill Stephens lit up the scoreboard last season as a shooting guard from beyond the arc, averaging 37.2% from the three-point line. Stephens also shot over 90% from the free-throw line. Born and raised in Kansas, Stephens will continue her playing career in-state with Kansas Wesleyan and Head Coach Ryan Showman. The Coyotes completed a 21-11 overall record last season.
Miriam Bazylewicz showcased herself as one of the most dangerous sixth-women in the country, averaging close to ten points per game both seasons as a Pirate. She showed scoring ability at the rim, from mid-range, and from 3. Bazylewicz entertained offers and interest from four-year schools at all levels from the NCAA and NAIA. Miriam chose to continue her playing career at Lincoln University in Missouri with Head Coach Andrea Mize.
Eriel West showed almost unlimited range at times, while perennially being a starter and constant scoring threat for the Pirates the past two seasons. West scored over 50 total points during Indy's Championship run through the 2021 NJCAA Region VI Tournament. Eriel received offers and interest from all levels and ultimately chose to continue her playing career at HBCU Bluefield State College with Head Coach Paul Davis.
One more IndyWBB player has committed and signed with a NCAA Division-2 school. She will officially announce soon.
Indy Women's Basketball is proud of all our graduates who will be playing at the next level. The Pirates are excited to continue the tradition of moving players on to some of the best educational and athletic institutions in the country in the upcoming 2022-23 season.
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