By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Western Illinois women’s basketball coach JD Gravina is going to practice Wednesday afternoon knowing his roster is going to look a lot different. Mia Nicastro, who was the Ohio Valley Conference’s player of the year last season … Continue reading WIU’s Nicastro Gets Fifth Year Under Court’s Ruling
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Western Illinois forward Mia Nicastro was one of the nation’s top mid-major women’s basketball players this season. She added another honor on Friday, when she was named the Ohio Valley Conference’s female athlete of the year. Nicastro … Continue reading WIU’s Nicastro Named OVC’s Female Athlete Of The Year
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP The timing was right, Raegan McCowan said, to make a move. And now the former Western Illinois guard has a new home. McCowan announced on Thursday that she was transferring to Houston after three years with the … Continue reading Former WIU Guard McCowan Chooses Houston
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP It didn’t take long, JD Gravina said, for the high of a championship season to wear off. Gravina’s Western Illinois women’s basketball team shared the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title, then won the conference tournament to earn … Continue reading Gravina Sees A Big Picture For Leathernecks
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Allie Meadows knew it was a big deal that Western Illinois was going to the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. Then the senior guard saw just how much it meant for the community. “We got … Continue reading Leathernecks Embrace NCAA Tournament Opportunity, And The Support That Comes With It
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Western Illinois was one of 25 NCAA Division I women’s basketball teams to not have anyone enter the transfer portal after last season. It says everything, coach JD Gravina said, about the culture of the program, and … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: Leathernecks Stick Together In The Portal Era, And Deliver A Championship
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP EVANSVILLE, Indiana — It was up to Mia Nicastro to carry the Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball tournament championship trophy out of the post-game press conference. “It’s a little heavy,” said Nicastro, hobbled by a sprained ankle … Continue reading WESTERN ILLINOIS 71, LINDENWOOD 65: The Final Prizes They Wanted
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP EVANSVILLE, Indiana — Western Illinois coach JD Gravina made a point to thank Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia after the Leathernecks won the Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball tournament championship on Saturday. Pavia sued the NCAA after the … Continue reading Shetley Takes Home OVC Tournament MVP
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP EVANSVILLE, Indiana — Mia Nicastro has had ankle sprains before, but she knew the one she suffered in the fourth quarter in Saturday’s Ohio Valley Conference tournament championship game was bad. It didn’t help that the Ford … Continue reading Nicastro’s ‘Heroic’ Return Sparks Leathernecks’ Final Push
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP EVANSVILLE, Indiana — Mia Nicastro was 19 seconds into Friday’s Ohio Valley Conference tournament semifinal and on her rear end underneath Western Illinois’ basket. Nicastro, arms outstretched and glaring at the officials, looked incredulous that there was … Continue reading Nicastro’s Day Goes From ‘Worst’ Half To Big Shots
