Discover How Green Bay Basketball Programs Are Shaping Future Champions
2025-11-14 14:01
I still remember the first time I walked into Green Bay's training facility last season - the energy was absolutely electric. You could feel something special was brewing in this program, and now with the new season approaching, I'm more convinced than ever that we're witnessing the rise of future champions right here in our community. What makes Green Bay's basketball programs so remarkable isn't just the winning records or the championship banners, though we certainly have those. It's the way they develop players who not only excel on the court but become leaders in life.
Let me tell you about Sarah Makanjuola, our Nigerian center who earned that well-deserved Mythical Team selection last season. I've watched Sarah evolve from a talented but raw player into the defensive anchor of our team. At 6'4", she's an imposing presence in the paint, but what really sets her apart is her basketball IQ. Last season, she averaged 12.3 rebounds per game and 3.2 blocks - numbers that don't even begin to capture how she changes opponents' offensive strategies. Coaches tell me they have to completely redesign their plays when facing Sarah because she reads the game two steps ahead. I've seen her make plays where she seems to anticipate where the ball will be before the passer even decides to throw it.
What's fascinating about Green Bay's approach is how they're building around Sarah while developing the supporting cast. Coach Martinez has this incredible talent for identifying players who complement each other perfectly. Take dela Rosa - her quickness and perimeter shooting create space for Sarah to operate inside. I remember this one game against Riverside where dela Rosa hit three consecutive three-pointers, forcing their defense to spread out, which allowed Sarah to dominate the paint. That's the kind of strategic synergy Green Bay coaches develop that you don't see in many programs.
But here's what really excites me about this season - the veteran presence developing around our stars. Sandra Villacruz, Kai Oani, and Gracie Batongbakal - these aren't just role players anymore. I've watched their transformation over the past two seasons, and the maturity they're showing in preseason training is remarkable. Sandra's ball-handling has improved by what our stats team estimates is 34% based on their tracking metrics, while Kai's defensive positioning is now textbook perfect. Gracie? She's developed this mid-range jumper that's practically unguardable. These three used to be complementary pieces, but now they're becoming leaders themselves.
I was talking with Coach Wilkins last week, and he told me something that stuck with me. He said championship teams aren't built on star power alone - they're built on what he calls "the ecosystem of excellence." That's where every player understands their role and elevates everyone around them. That's exactly what I'm seeing develop with this group. When Sarah commands double teams, it opens opportunities for Sandra and Kai. When Gracie drives to the basket, it creates spacing for dela Rosa's outside shooting. They're not just individual talents - they're becoming a single, cohesive unit.
The culture here is something special. I've covered basketball for fifteen years across different levels, and what Green Bay has created is rare. Players don't just show up for practice - they live and breathe basketball together. I've seen them organizing extra film sessions on their own, working on individual skills late into the evening, and genuinely pushing each other to be better. That kind of commitment doesn't come from coaching mandates - it emerges from a culture that values growth and mutual support.
Now, let's talk about that "Finals run in the offing" possibility everyone's whispering about. I'll be honest - I think this team has what it takes to make a serious championship push. Looking at their schedule and the way they match up against traditional powerhouses, there's a real path to the finals. They've got the defensive anchor in Sarah, the scoring threat in dela Rosa, and now they're developing the veteran depth that championship teams need. Remember last season when they took State champions Jefferson High to overtime without two starters? That wasn't a fluke - that was a glimpse of their potential.
What many fans don't realize is how much the little things matter in building toward championship contention. It's not just about scoring averages or win-loss records. It's about how players communicate during timeouts, how they support each other after mistakes, how they maintain composure during tough stretches. I've noticed this group has developed what I call "championship habits" - the small details that separate good teams from great ones. They tap the floor on defense, they help each other up after hard fouls, they celebrate each other's successes genuinely.
The transformation I've witnessed in these players goes beyond basketball skills. Sandra, who used to be painfully shy during interviews, now speaks with confidence and insight. Kai has taken younger players under her wing, teaching them the plays and the culture. Gracie has become the team's emotional leader - the one who knows exactly when the team needs encouragement or when they need a reality check. These are the intangible qualities that championship teams possess.
As we approach the new season, I find myself more excited than I've been in years. There's something different about this Green Bay team - a blend of talent, chemistry, and coaching that feels special. They've got the pieces, they've got the mindset, and they've got the support system. Will they win it all? Nobody can guarantee championships, but I can tell you this - they're building something that will last far beyond any single season. They're not just developing basketball players; they're shaping future leaders, and honestly, that's the most exciting part of covering this program. The wins are great, but watching these young women grow into champions in every sense of the word? That's the real story here.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
