by Thomas Leturgey
The Steel City Queens finished off their home season Women’s American Basketball Association (WABA) on Sunday, losing to the DC Cyclones 77-68.
“It was another tough loss,” noted Queens Owner and Head Coach Ace Pippens after the game. It was the sixth loss of the season for the 0-6 Queens.
The Steel City ladies started off slowly, but over the past few games have really picked up their collective game. Point guard Sabrina McLin, who has only played in a few games for the home team, reclaimed her position as the preemptive Most Valuable Player. Sunday afternoon at A Giving Heart Community Center, she led the team with 25 points. McLin scored four points in the first, five in the second, and eight points in the 3rd and 4th periods, respectively.
Shataya White, who has led the squad since the beginning of the campaign, scored seven of her 20 points in the first quarter. She had a three-pointer in the 3rd period, and the remaining 10 in the final 10 minutes.
Deja Anderson, who had played for the Queens in previous seasons, returned and added 9 points, including two three-pointers, to the tally. Ariana Sanders, who has contributed all season, had six points.
Katelyn Fischer, who has starred coming off of the pine, scored four points. Ciarra Patterson posted a three-pointer in the first quarter.
The DC Cyclones are now 5-2 and can look forward to the playoffs in Greensboro, North Carolina.
While the Queens are finished for the season on the home hardwood, there are two road games left next weekend. Pippens hopes that the Queens will continue to improve as the season winds to a conclusion.