The Miami Dade College Lady Sharks women's basketball team's head coach Susan Summons was named the 2018 Southern Conference Coach of the Year. Summons with the help of her associate head coach Erica Redman created a state championship contending team. The Lady Sharks dominated throughout their regular season and their record shows. The Lady Sharks are currently 22-8 overall and 11-1 in conference play. This season Coach Summons has led her team to feats that have not been reached in years. This season the Lady Sharks were crowned the 2018 Southern Conference Champions. The last time Miami Dade College women's basketball were conference champs was in 2008. In addition, Summons has helped her team clicnch a berth to the 2018 FCSAA Basketball State Tournament. The last time the Lady Sharks made a state tournament appearance was in 2015.
Besides team feats, Coach Summons has played an intricate part in helping her athletes unlock their potential on and off the court. This season Summons had five players receive All-Southern Conference honors. Players Cheah Rael-Whitsitt, Ganette Chism, Savannah Clark, and Deidra Harris received 1st Team All-Southern Conference honors. Freshman Shay Harper received 2nd Team All-Southern Conference honors. Earlier this month, Rael Whitsitt was named the NJCAA Division 1 Women's Basketball Player of the Week and the NJCAA Region 8 Player of the Week. This is the third time this season Rael Whitsitt has been named the Region 8 POTW.
Off the court, Coach Summons has several players who will have to make a decision soon on what four-year college they will attend after receiving offers and acceptance letters.
Coach Summons and her team will travel to Ocala, FL next week to compete in the FCSAA Basketball State Tournament. The tournament will begin on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.