Standing near the exit to The Cove with a Boston Red Sox cap atop her tomboy moptop, Brielle Bartelt opened her arms.
“I’m giving you a hug, JJ,” the USCB senior told LowcoSports founder Justin Jarrett just before melting his coronary system.
Having just completed perhaps the finest career in Sand Shark history, “Bart” got her flowers Saturday in The Cove, leaving behind the wake of a culture she built. Bartelt has more intangibles in her bag than the Legend of Bagger Vance. Nobody can lay a finger on her buttery smooth play, from a Fizzy Lifting Drink level floater to the clutch elbow jumper. Willing to “stand in front of a train,” to quote Jarrett’s call, Bartelt is the best perimeter defender in the program’s brief history. Bartelt’s greatest contribution is cultural, as her leadership was palpable on the court. This writer hopes her degree in Business Administration translates to administering the business of becoming a coach. Basketball deserves Brielle Bartelt.
“Nobody shoots it like Sheri,” Lydia Gattozzi said in her post-game presser this past January 4th after watching her teammate, Sheridan Bostic, drop six consecutive three-pointers in a contest against Clayton State to kickoff 2025. After she shot 8-10 from the arc last week versus Columbus State, “The Jackal” Sheridan Bostic’s 35.2% Sand Shark career three-point percentage edges returning guard Makayla Premo for the best in program history. Bostic’s smile is what this writer will recall best, as nobody demonstrated her love of her teammates as unapologetically this season as the best deep ball shooter in program history. An interdisciplinary studies major, the pride of Pflugerville, TX has built a winning reputation in the Lowcountry. “I’m the Jackal’s Dad,” Mr. Jackal told Lowco’s Justin Jarrett last Wednesday. As someone present for the birth of a nickname on Jarrett’s call that fateful night, I contend that nothing beats found family.
Goodbye, “English Rose.” Our candle in the wind burnt bright, as Nottingham’s Shaniya Rose lit up the Cove in her Sand Shark career. The penultimate team player, Rose’s block play was the envy of the Lego corporation. No player better established their presence in the middle than Rose, who set brick-wall screens and boxed out like an Amazon warehouse robot. The Psychology major was the stuff of dreams, dropping 70% of her free throws this year.
Arie’a Garrett’s minutes increased over her career, as she earned her way to becoming an asset on the floor. The biology major shot 62% at the stripe and 42% from the floor this season, making her improvement a science. As Garrett’s petri dish of talents grew, so too did her confidence. Garrett is an example of hard work personified, which is the most important factor in developing a winning Big.
As four Sand Shark women enter the professional space, big wins await the future of the Sand Shark program.
Brianna Pelote is an asset. The Savannah debutante has established herself as one of the most imposing Bigs in the Peach Belt. In limited minutes, her efficiency became evident as her rebounding and rim protection are her best assets. As Pelote develops her comfort in the pick-and-roll this summer, her development as a secondary-motion passer will escalate her value.
Janiyah Heyward has a 3-point shot, and the rim-running wing appears to be growing in her confidence from deep. Heyward’s willingness to creep to the corner creates space on drives and opportunities for passers to find her for splash shots. Heyward’s embrace of metrics this season has dramatically informed her efficiency; her discipline and shot IQ are perhaps the most improved ingredients to this team’s winning formula as she enters her Junior campaign.
Lydia Gattozzi has become the most exciting cover in the Peach Belt. Pumping iron in recovery from injury last season, the “Catwoman” is a capable 3 & D wing who will attract attention in the transfer window following her breakout in 2025. A dual threat with her back to the basket, Gattozzi is a dynamic post scorer and passer. The Catwoman’s Joker-like block play remains her most refined set of skills, but her development as a shooting guard was evident when she pounced upon Georgia Southwestern in a 28-point performance last February 8th.
Should Gattozzi and Heyward develop into 40% 3-point shooters this summer, in compliment to their post-play and defense, these Sand Sharks may be a floor-general away from conference supremacy. Perhaps the most physically dominant wings in the conference, Heyward and Gattozzi dictate post-play against undersized opponents. Adding efficient three-point shooting via a capable cast of spot shooters raises all crew aboard the Sand Shark offense.
Taniyah “Jigsaw” Bowman has established herself as the premier handle of the Sand Shark offense when it’s cooking, as the point-guard role projects to be her’s to lose next season. Senior Mahkayla Premo’s return from injury and the arrival of “Hot Soup” Courtney Campbell will pressure Bowman’s minutes as the primary ball handler this summer. Should chemistry develop, this writer dreams of a rotating trio of back-court passers and spot shooters each capable of running the offense through secondary rotations and offensive resets.
Shooters abound in aspiration to win minutes and play in ensemble for the Sand Sharks next season. Kay’mar Griffin, Madi Self and Jada Young are capable players who project to become stronger and develop this summer.
As the 2024-2025 campaign closes, be thankful for the journey. Sharon Versyp’s women should be proud of what they’ve built here. Champions are those who achieve by standing on the shoulders of those who poured into them knowledge, trust and the wonder to dream beyond imagination. To quote RFK summarizing Bernard Shaw in 1968, some people “see the world as it is and ask ‘why?’ I dream things that never were and ask ‘why not?’”
Everyone watches women’s sports.
Kevin Libby is a contributor to LowcoSports. Kevin is a former WHHI-TV News Anchor and current Sports Broadcaster.