Boone, Jones named All-Conference

Haley Jones                      Justine Boone

A record-setting year by the Monmouth College women’s basketball team has netted guards Justine Boone (Geneseo, Ill./Geneseo) and Haley Jones (Knoxville, Ill./Knoxville) All-Midwest Conference honors.
Boone, a senior business and economics major, was named to the first team after setting numerous Fighting Scots records. During the 2010-11 season, the point guard broke her own season assists record (119) and set the new standard for steals in a season (90). She also eclipsed the career mark for steals (253). Boone tied the records for games played in a career (92). Playing nearly 33 minutes each contest, she averaged 8.9 points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game during her senior campaign.
Jones, a junior business major, was named to the second team. She led the team in scoring, averaging 12.4 points per game, and was third in rebounding at 4.4 per game. Her 81 percent free throw shooting led the Scots.
The Fighting Scots (16-9) qualified for the conference tournament for only the second time in the history of the program. The team’s second-place finish was also the highest finish in Scots’ history and their 16 wins tied the school record for victories.
Story by Dan Nolan

Senior Night 2011

After our 58-44 victory over rival Knox College we gathered to celebrate our seniors Erica Puig, Justine Boone & Niki Sue Williams. It was great to honor their careers with family, friends and MCWB alum!

SCOTS’ FORREST ON FIRE, SETS SCHOOL SHOOTING RECORD

MONMOUTH, Ill. – When Deerfield’s Colleen Forrest entered Monmouth College, a Division III school in western Illinois, to play basketball, the Fighting Scots knew they were getting a pretty good shooter. What they didn’t know was how quickly she would be breaking records.

It’s only fitting that the 5-foot-5 guard with a quick release and gunslinger mentality is playing in Monmouth, the birthplace of Old West lawman Wyatt Earp. Forrest has been on fire this season and has already rewritten the Monmouth record book as a sophomore. Earlier this year, Forrest set the new in-game standard, making eight 3-pointers to break the record she tied as a freshman and shared with Tina Forth from the 1995 squad.

Forrest’s latest long range run has given her the school record for 3-pointers in a single season. Beloit College couldn’t see Forrest for the threes in an 80-64 Monmouth win last week when she made her school record 57th trey to break the mark that has stood since 1996.

The long range bomber’s 10.7-point average ties her for second in scoring for the balanced Monmouth attack that has rolled to a 12-6 record. She’s also fifth in Division III in 3-point accuracy, hitting nearly 48 percent of her shots from beyond the arc.

Monmouth will have to wait one more year for Forrest to chop down another Scots’ record. Her 105 career 3-pointers is closing in on that record as well, but with five more games left, she’ll likely have to wait until the 2011-12 campaign to eclipse the career mark of 169.

One thing is for certain, the Scots are glad Forrest has sprouted into one of the program’s best 3-point shooters.
Story by Dan Nolan

Greatest Practice Ever

The Monmouth College Women's Basketball team helped area Special Olympians with their basketball fundamental skills. We set up stations of passing, shooting, defense, rebounding and ball handling. As you can tell by the smiling faces, a great time was had by all! The Special Olympians will have an intersquad scrimmage during half time of the women's (5pm) & men's (7pm) basketball games February 9th.

SCOTS’ BOONE HAS LEAGUE'S BEST WEEK

MONMOUTH, Ill. – Monmouth College senior Justine Boone’s (Geneseo, Ill./Geneseo) stellar week not only helped the Fighting Scots to a five-game win streak, it also earned her the Midwest Conference Performer of the Week honor in women’s basketball.

The Scots enter this week in sole possession of second place in the MWC standings and Boone has been a big part of the team’s success. The 5-foot-9 guard began the week with a 14-point, six assist, five steal performance in an 81-49 win over Lawrence. She then poured in 20 points with nine rebounds, seven assists and six steals in a 70-59 win over Knox Saturday. Her Sat¬urday performance included an 11-of-14 effort from the free throw line as the Scots won their fifth straight game and fourth in a row in league play. For the week, Boone – a business and economics major – averaged 17 points, 6.5 assists, 5 rebounds and 5.5 steals per game.
Story by Dan Nolan

Where Are They Now? ...Ashley (Yeast) Tanney

MCWB: Give us some updates! Where are you living, any recent life accomplishments?
AY (you'll always be AY to us!!): Currently, I reside in Davenport, IA with my husband, Mitch Tanney. Besides my recent travels around the world, current life accomplishments include the following: getting married, becoming a god-mother of twins, and completing two 26.2 mile marathons in a six month period. Upon graduation from Monmouth College, I continued working for Deere & Company in the Quad Cities. This past summer I took a new position as an Internal Auditor with Deere & Company. This position has enabled me to travel around the world and investigate various accounting cycles and business practices within Deere’s operations. Currently, I am writing my response from Milan, Italy. A month ago I was in Lima, Peru and before that I spent several months in Tampa, Florida, Lenexa, Kansas and Raleigh, North Carolina. In addition, I am a little over halfway through my MBA program with the University of Iowa. I hope to graduate next year.

MCWB: How has a Monmouth College degree helped your career pursuits?
AY: My degree from Monmouth College has helped my career pursuits by providing me with a sound education and skill set, which can be used in any professional or personal setting. The liberal arts background I received has enabled me to adapt or relate to many different situations. For example, while traveling with audit staff, I am teamed with many diverse individuals from different cultures who speak different languages. They also have unique ways of thinking and problem solving. In other words, there is never a shortage of cultural diversity among the group. Having a liberal arts background has enabled me to connect and create meaningful relationships with such individuals. Finally, a Monmouth College degree has also guided me to challenge myself personally and professionally.

MCWB: Favorite on or off the court basketball memory?
AY: The one basketball memory that stands out the best was pulling down my 1,000 career rebound against Lake Forest. I did not realize at the time that it was my 1,000 rebound until it was announced over the PA system. My family was in attendance and the Lake Forest coach presented me with the game ball at the end of the game. It was a feeling of accomplishment unlike anything I had felt before. I wasn’t focused on the number of rebounds I collected; I was solely focused on blocking out my opponent. Realizing after the game that my parents were tracking my rebounds to capture the exact moment on camera was a humbling experience. Seeing the smile on my parents’ faces is something I’ll never forget. My parents supported me every step of the way through my athletic career. I knew that day I had made them proud.
MCWB: What do you miss most about playing basketball at Monmouth College?
AY: What I miss most about playing basketball at Monmouth College is wearing the jersey. The red and white jersey signifies the sweat and sacrifice made in order to properly prepare for the opponent and step onto the court the day of the game. The jersey is a unifying symbol of the College, the team, and everyone that supported us in the stands. Putting on my #33 meant that it was time to execute and show everyone in the gym (opponent, coaches, fans, family) how hard we had prepared for that day. The physical act of putting on the jersey may sound trivial because it lasted no more than a few seconds. However, I always appreciated that short moment in time, and I certainly miss it now.

White Elephant Gifts

$5,000 winning lotto tickets? Chocolate fish? Sparty hats? Caller ID?

...and TONS of laughs.

Thanks to Coach Martin & his wife Jan for hosting a GREAT holiday dinner!!