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WBB Finishes 4th in Nation

Close Out Season with 32-5 Record

3/22/2026 12:14:00 AM

Hickory, NC - The Illinois Central College women's basketball team finished with a 4th place National finish as they lost 77-68 to Johnson County in the NJCAA National Tournament at Catawba Valley CC on Saturday afternoon. It was the program's highest finish since the 2021 season and the 32 wins are the most wins in a season for ICC since 2018-19.

Four players reached double figures in Ellie VanMeenen (15 points), Addy Engel (13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists), Lily Luczkowiak (13 points, 4 rebounds), and Larissa Taylor (12 points, 6 rebounds). 

The teams were evenly matched in the early going as Taylor and Luczkowiak got ICC going for a 9-8 lead. A Maziah Shelton basket and VanMeenen trey (assist Kam Heider) put ICC up 14-8 but the Cavaliers went on a run to take a 17-14 lead after one quarter. 

Engel's layup stopped the run and a VanMeenen three-pointer drew ICC to within 21-19 but the Cougars hit a scoring drought as Johnson went on a run for a 31-19 advantage. Hannah West nailed a three-pointer and Emily Dana tossed in a 55-foot heave from beyond halfcourt just before the halftime buzzer as JCCC led 40-29 at the break.

The Cougars showed life in the third as Luczkowiak had back-to-back layups but Johnson had answers for every ICC run in the second half. Taylor hit two jumpers and Luczkowiak and VanMeenen added layups as the Cougars trailed 56-46 going into the fourth. 

Engel and Taylor scored on layups, but the Cavaliers converted timely baskets throughout the fourth. Heider's layup with :19 seconds was the final basket of the season.

After the game, Addy Engel and Lily Luczkowiak were named to the Nationals' all-tournament team for their play during the week. 

FINAL BOX
Ellie VanMeenen | 15 pts, 2 asts
Addy Engel |13 pts, 9 reb, 5 asts
Lily Luczkowiak | 13 pts, 4 reb
Larissa Taylor | 12 pts, 6 reb
Maziah Shelton | 5 pts, 5 reb
Kam Heider | 5 asts, 4 pts, 4 reb
Emily Dana | 4 reb, 3 pts
Hannah West | 3 pts
I BEAT THE DEAN: Sophomores Emily Dana, Addy Engel, Kam Heider, Lily Luczkowiak, Maziah Shelton, Larissa Taylor

QUOTES FROM COACH KARRIE REDEKER
"Our kids emptied the tank today. We struggled a bit in the second quarter and allowed JCCC to get a lead but we kept the pressure on until the final buzzer and walked out of the gym with our heads held high. We represented well at Nationals and had a sensational season.

This team was an absolute joy to coach. They were in the gym a lot working on their own and our team chemistry was really solid, which is a testament to their character and willingness to prioritize team success before individual accolades. We were Region Champs, tied for the regular season M-WAC Champs, won the Thumbcoast Classic Tourney and Cougar Holiday Tourney and then got 4th in the Nation today.

Our sophomores—-Emily Dana, Addy Engel, Kam Heider, Lily Luczkowiak, Maziah Shelton (played this season only), and Larissa Taylor—were great leaders both on and off the court. They finished their careers with two Nationals' appearances and had a 59-14 overall record but more importantly, they're amazing young people who will continue to succeed in life and impact others in a positive way. It was a pleasure to have them in our program."

2025-26 SEASON ACCOMPLISHMENTS for the ICC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM

CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY RESULTS
(4) Pima 64, (6) Kirkwood 58 - National Championship
(1) Johnson County 77, (2) Illinois Central 68 - Third Place
(7) Lansing 59, (5) Schoolcraft 58 - Consolation Final 
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