CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Parkland College Athletics and the Parkland College women’s basketball program are proud to announce that three players were named to the 2022-23 All-Region 24 Team, and two Cobras were selected to the 2022-23 M-WAC All-Conference Teams. Freshman forward Alyssa Cole was named the M-WAC Freshman of the Year, and a member of the First Team All-Conference, while sophomore forward Shae Bell was named Second Team All-Conference. Sophomore guard Kenzey Decker was named a member of the Region 24 All-Region Team along with the two forwards. The Parkland women’s basketball team went 22-4 in the regular season, including 9-3 in conference and regional play.
Shaelynn Bell, a sophomore from Terre Haute, Indiana, started 26 games this season, leading the team in field goal percentage, rebounds, and blocks in her third season at Parkland College. Bell averaged 13.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game (48th nationally), shooting 60.4 percent from the field, which ranked 4th in the country. The sophomore forward’s 253 rebounds this season ranked 45th nationally, and her 60 blocks ranked 11th. Bell scored a career-high 33 points on 15-21 shooting at South Suburban College in an 84-50 win on December 6th – and she grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds versus Illinois Valley Community College on January 9th, as Parkland won 100-27. Bell, a psychology student at Parkland College, is the daughter of Casius and Lesley Bell.
Parkland head coach Laura Litchfield loved seeing Bell’s hard work pay off this season, saying, “Shae has been such a dominant player for us, and we are grateful to have had her here for three years. Her presence in the paint and on the boards is evident, and she has worked very hard on her game and physicality, so to see her receive this recognition is wonderful.”
Alyssa Cole, a freshman from Nashville, Illinois, started 25 games this season, leading the Cobras in points, field goals, free throws, and free throw percentage. Cole averaged 17.2 points per game (34th nationally), 8.9 rebounds per game (57th), shooting 59.4 percent from the field (9th). The Nashville Community High School alum shot 128-149 (86%) from the free throw line this season, ranking 8th in the country. The freshman forward scored a season-high 25 points in a December 17th win against Vincennes University – and Cole led the Cobras over conference rival Danville Area Community College on January 18th with 24 points on 10-16 shooting (both career-highs) in an 80-64 win. Cole, a dental hygiene student at Parkland College, is the daughter of Shane Cole and Jennifer Heggemeier.
“Alyssa came into this season as a freshman, making an immediate impact and just elevating her game,” Litchfield boasted of the M-WAC Freshmen of the Year. “She loves the game, she pushes herself, and despite being shorter than a lot of her competition, she made it known that height isn’t a factor for her. This recognition is a huge accomplishment and so well deserved.”
Kenzey Decker, a sophomore from Springfield, Illinois, started 27 games this season, leading the team in minutes, assists, steals, and assist-to-turnover ratio. The sophomore guard averaged 9.4 points and 3.6 assists per game (74th nationally). Decker totaled 101 assists and 42 steals to lead the Cobras this season, recording a 1.6 assist-to-turnover ratio (83rd). The Springfield High School alum tied a career-high 17 points on January 4th in an 82-66 win at Kankakee Community College – and she totaled a career-best seven assists in a January 26th, 56-46 win over conference foe Spoon River College.
Litchfield loves Decker’s mentality as a basketball player, saying, “Every day, Kenzey gives 100 percent and tries her hardest; every day. Not only is she an offensive threat, but defensively she is locked in and gives her all. She’s got heart when she plays, and it’s great to see her recognized for that.”
