Women’s basketball recognizes their players at senior day

SPORTS EDITOR – MEGAN ANGELO

Although March Madness has just begun, the women’s basketball season has come to a close. On Feb. 24, the women’s basketball team celebrated Senior Day as the team played against St. Edward’s University. Hannah Wilson (#41), who plays forward, led the team, scoring 14 points, eight boards, and two blocked shots. Wilson is a fifth-year senior from Fredericksburg, Texas. Wilson ended the season making St. Mary’s history, ranking third with 317 rebounds.

Wilson has an outstanding record, ranking in points scored, double-double scoring, rebounds, and free throws made. Wilson ends her collegiate basketball career having made 1,333 scored points, 137 blocked shots and 1,180 rebounds. Wilson is a fifth-year senior from Fredericksburg, Texas. On March 2, Wilson was awarded First-Team, and for the second straight season, was given All-Defensive Team Lone Star Honors. Wilson averages a double-double, scoring 11.3 points and 15.4 rebounds per game, for the third straight season. Wilson has a hot streak of posting 45 double-doubles, in addition to 37 against Minnesota State, an all-time career high. On Thursday, March 10, Wilson was All-Region Second team honors by the Division II Conference Commissioners’ Association. Not only has she shown dedication on the court, but Wilson has also fiercely dominated her academics, making the Lone Star Spring Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Wilson was named a three-time All-Conference pick.

Senior Nights takes place for all sports teams during their last game of the season. Audrey Wandji was brought back to celebrate after her senior day was canceled due to COVID-19. Wandji (#34), a guard from Houston, Texas, graduated last spring. During her finals season at St. mary’s, Wandji scored 12 points and made three field goals against Oklahoma Christian on Feb. 27. Briana Ford (#45), a junior guard from San Antonio, Texas was also recognized. Ford during her last season scored eight points against St. Martin’s on Nov. 23 and made four free throws against Minnesota State. Christina Baker (#24), a forward player from Mansfield, Texas performed four rebounds and an assist against St. Edward’s. Baker is a senior. Other highlights include her scoring 11 points at the Midwestern State game on Jan. 8 and five field goals against Texas A&M-Commerce on Feb 19. Mya Culiver (#10), a fifth-year senior guard from Rockwell, Texas scored eight points, made three rebounds, and served two assists. Culiver has scored 14 points and made five field goals against Camron on Jan 31. Culiver has also earned a spot for her academic excellence on the Lone Star Spring Comisisoner’s Honor Roll. Sydney Hardeman (#23), a junior guard from Allen, Texas scored two three-pointers totaling her at 72 points for this season, taking fourth in StMU single-season history. Other highlights include Hardeman scoring 31 points on Feb 3 against Texas A&M International, with 11 out of 18 field goal attempts made and six boards against Cameron on Jan 31. Hardeman is another athlete who has shown integrity, making the Lone Star Spring Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

With the departure of the seniors, it is important to shine a light on the freshman that will follow. Faith Phillips (#22), a freshman from San Marcos, Texas is a forward who scored 13 points coming off the bench and snagged seven boards at the St. Edward’s game on Feb 24 as the Rattlers outscored the Hilltoppers 40-39. Phillips also made four out of eight field goals. In her high school career, Phillips tallied both 1,00 points and 1,000 rebounds. Other accomplishments from this season include 16 points scored and seven field goals made against Cameron on Jan 31. and 13 boards against Western New Mexico on Jan 29. Phillips graduated in the top 10% of her class at San Marcos High School and has earned All-District honors three times as well as All-District honors all four seasons.
Freshman Ariana Rosado (#14), a guard from Round Rock, Texas, slimly missed her first double-digit scoring contest with a career-high nine boards and a team-high three assists. Rosado earned All-District all four seasons and scored her 1,000th career point milestone as a junior, hitting her 1,500 point milestone in her final campaign. In her senior season, she was named the Offensive MVP of the league. She graduated from Stony Point High School with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

With all of this in mind, the St. Mary’s Women’s Basketball team is in good hands. There can be a lot of pressure on incoming athletes, but these women have put their bodies and minds to the test on and off the court. The four seniors mentioned wrapped up the 2021-22 season leaving behind their legacy and passing on great skills to their teammates.