Cleveland Women's Basketball Displays Depth and Defensive Grit

The Cleveland Community College women's basketball team put together a strong two-game stretch in late January, highlighted by a dominant home win and a competitive road battle against a tough conference opponent.

Yetis Roll Past Guilford Tech at Home

Cleveland Community College delivered an impressive 76–46 victory over Guilford Technical Community College on January 21 inside Yetis Gym, using balanced scoring, defensive pressure, and control of the glass to pull away early. After a tight first quarter, the Yetis erupted for 26 points in the second period and never looked back, taking a commanding 40–21 lead into halftime.

Juliana Ball led all scorers with 17 points, knocking down five three-pointers to spark the Yetis' offense. Jada Whitesides added 13 points while also wreaking havoc defensively with seven steals. De'Mya Phifer chipped in 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, showcasing her all-around impact. Kari Lee contributed 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Sydnie Enste added 11 points and nine rebounds off the bench.

Cleveland CC's defense was a major difference-maker, forcing 33 turnovers and converting them into transition opportunities. The Yetis also shared the ball effectively, finishing with 20 assists and holding Guilford Tech to just 30.8 percent shooting from the floor.

Yetis Battle on the Road at Cape Fear

Two days later, the Yetis faced a challenging road test at Cape Fear Community College, falling 63–53 in a tightly contested matchup. The game remained close throughout, with Cleveland CC trailing by just one point at halftime before Cape Fear pulled ahead in the second half.

De'Mya Phifer led the Yetis offensively with 18 points on an efficient 8-of-12 shooting performance. Kiya Shavers provided a spark off the bench, scoring nine points while hitting three three-pointers. Haley Dalton anchored the interior with six points, seven rebounds, and four blocks, while Kari Lee posted a double-double with six points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Sydnie Enste added another strong rebounding effort with 12 boards.

Cleveland CC shot an impressive 44 percent from the field and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, but Cape Fear's late surge and rebounding edge proved decisive.

Looking Ahead

Across both games, the Yetis showcased depth, defensive intensity, and strong individual performances, particularly from Phifer, Ball, Whitesides, and the frontcourt duo of Dalton and Enste. Cleveland Community College continues to build momentum as the season progresses, carrying valuable lessons from the road and confidence from a dominant home performance.