The Simmons College basketball team had a roller coaster 2007-08 season, but the end result was a terrific thrill-ride experience.

The Sharks finished with a 10-15 record, that included a 6-7 conference record.

Thanks to a terrific closing stretch that saw them win five of their last seven, the team was able qualify for the GNAC Playoffs for the sixth straight season.

Head coach Tony Price was proud of the way his team stayed focus through the lows, and was able to turn that into plenty of highs, that in the end made them one of the top eight teams in the conference.

With only one senior, there was plenty of youth on this year's team, and sometimes that inexperience played a role in some tough losses. 

"This team worked extremely hard, it was just tough for everyone not to

see the fruits of our labor on the scoreboard and win column," Price said.

The Sharks played a very difficult schedule, as three NCAA Tournament teams were on the slate, which made the learning curve even tougher at times.

Leading the way for Simmons was junior Lauren Kreckie who emerged as a leader on this team.

She was the player Price counted on, on a nightly basis for the Sharks, leading the team in scoring on offense and one of its best defenders.

"She was the team's most consistent player throughout the entire season and displayed a lot of heart, character and toughness."

Her efforts earned her a GNAC all-conference selection, becoming the fifth Shark to earn such a distinction in the last six years.

The lone senior on this year's squad was center Nikki Cohen, who ended her career on a high this year. She was a member of the sportsmanship team, and was a force in the middle particularly on defense.

"She had her best statistical season and her presence in the middle will be missed."

Sophomore transfer Stephanie Fox joined the team after the first semester and cemented her place among the regular rotation. Her impact was almost immediate, as she earned consecutive GNAC honor roll honors.

"She will be counted on heavily in the future to lead the Sharks to victory," Price said.

The Sharks also received solid contributions from junior Co-Captain Sarah Clayton, Sophomores Aubree Giarrosso, Jamie Liberty, and Julia King.

The Sharks future appears bright, as it was often displayed on a nightly basis thanks to a promising freshman class that saw plenty of minutes.  Morgan Johnson showed flashes of a bright future as she made the transition to the team's starting point guard. 

Classmates Stephanie Murray, Emily Colligan, Taniesha Vilma, Liane Lantagne, all played key roles in the success of the team this season.

The Sharks are excited about the future ahead, and will be able to rely on experiences learned this season as they attempt to ascend up the GNAC standings next season.