Lorain County Community College extended its winning streak to four straight with a 71-68 win over Wooster's junior varsity.

The Commodores were led by Jacob Pope with 23 and Anthony Burns added 18 which included 6 3-pointers.

Head coach Michael Cruz was pleased with the victory but knows his team has a ways to go.

“We are playing better and learning how to win but we still need to play a complete 40 minute game," Cruz said. "Our ultimate success this season will be determined by how we play defense and rebound and while we are improving we still have a ways to go”

The Commodores next home game is this Friday at 7 p.m. against Schoolcraft Community College.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

LCCC's Christa Wodarczyk was named an NJCAA All-American for Women's Basketball.

Wodarczyk is a Columbia graduate and played point guard for the Commodores. She was voted by her players and coaches as the team's 2009-2010 Most Valuable Player.

Wodarczyk led her team in scoring, steals, assists and free throw percentage.

She was also named Player of the Week for the OCCAC for the week of February 14, 2010 and awarded 2nd Team All-OCCAC. Wodarczyk was also awarded the 2010 LCCC George M. Day female scholar athlete award.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

Two players from Lorain County Community College received postseason honors after finishing the season 12-17.

Christa Wodarczyk, a Columbia graduate in 2009, was recognized on the 2nd Team All-Ohio Community College Athletic Conference.

Julia Monteleone, an Avon graduate in 2009, earned Honorable Mention. Wodarczyk and Monteleone averaged 15 and 11 points per game, respectively, in conference play.

Both players plan on returning to LCCC for another season and will be major leaders on the team.

The Commodores finished with a record 2-12 in the OCCAC this season, including an upset over Columbus State Community College in the final game.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

LCCC head coach Katie Street, right, has turned the women's team around. After going 0-11 last season, the Commodores improved to 10-17 in their first year playing in the OCCAC, which plays in the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Lorain County Community College’s Christa Wodarcyzk, a freshman from Columbia, was named the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Player of the week for her outstanding play last week.

Wodarczyk scored a career-high 26 points and led the Commodores to a
75-72 victory over Columbus State Community College. Her free throw sealed the win for the Commodores with 20 seconds to go.


Wodarczyk also finished with 22 points in LCCC's 69-60 loss to Tri-C and she added 16 in a loss to Edison Community College. Over the past week, she has averaged 21 points per game and shot 81 percent from the free throw line.

LCCC ends the season with an overall record of 10-17 and 2-12 in the OCCAC.

Last season, Midview graduate Katie Street took over the women’s basketball program and finished with a record of 0-11. This season the program has taken a large step forward as it competed at the National Junior College Athletic Association level for the first time.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

Avon's Julia Monteleone was named the NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball Player of the Week.

Monteleone nailed a career high six 3-point goals three times in the past two weeks and has helped LCCC to a 3-1 record. She is averaging 19.8 points and six rebounds per game. Her season-high is a 26-point performance in a 76-61 win over CCAC-Allegheny.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

The Lorain County Community College men's basketball team is entering its third year of playing in the National Junior College Athletic Association.

The junior college Commodores play their second game of the season today at Butler County Community College after starting the season off with a 101-85 road loss to Essex County College. Then the Commodores will have their home-opener this Friday against seventh-ranked CC-Allegheny of Pittsburgh.

LCCC plays in the Ohio Community College Athletic Association with Cuyahoga Community, Columbus State, Sinclair State, Clark State, Lakeland Community, Owens Tech and Cincinnati State. LCCC is considered Division III, while Cincinnati State is Division I and the other schools are considered Division II.

Ralph Berrios, who enters his ninth season as head coach, was an assistant coach at Southview for 14 years under Larry Stark. Stark, who retired as the Saints' all-time winningest coach, serves as Berrios' assistant.

"We're really excited about the team," Berrios said. "This is probably the most balanced athletically, and strongest teams since I've been here. I'm looking forward to seeing the kids mature and by the end of the season, I expect to have more players receiving accolades and accomplishments from conference."

Last season the Commodores finished the season 11-17 after finishing 7-16 in 2007, their first season competing at the NJCAA level.

LCCC went undefeated in its last season competing at the club level, ultimately finishing third in its season-ending tournament.

Devaujhn Boddie, a 5-foot-9 point guard, was named to the NJCAA preseason All-America team. He led the Commodores in scoring last season, averaging 23 points per game.

"He may be the smallest player on the floor, but he's still the best player on the floor," Berrios said. "He's a great young man who has proved himself at each level he's played. He's proved that hard work pays off and the rewards are just starting to come in."

Boddie, who was named All-American while prepping at Archbishop Hoban High School, hopes to contribute to LCCC's first winning season in the NJCAA.

"We've got a really great team this year and I believe we're going to do really well," Boddie said in a press release. "I have a big thing on my shoulders now. I have to perform every game now that I'm All-American."

While Boddie is running the point position, 6-foot-9 Antione Norris, of Akron Kenmore, will play center. Jay Silva, who is from Escala Logis in San Paulo, Brazil, is a 6-5 forward.

Local players on this season's LCCC roster include Josh Harris (Brookside), D.J. Hall (Western Reserve), Tyrell Holley (Admiral King) and Jeff Knepper (Keystone).

Tonio Wesley (Euclid), Jacob Pope (Akron Firestone), Felton Jones (Cleveland East High) and Bruce Johnson (Lyndherst Brush) round out the Commodores' roster.

swalker@MorningJournal.com