Columbia Basin College

Prior to the 2004-05 season, the 26 year history of the CBC women’s basketball program included seven NWAC Championship entries.  The program last qualified for the post-season in 1997.
 
The 2004-05 women’s basketball team claimed the program’s first East Region title in nearly a decade.  With an overall record of 22-5, 11-3 in East Region play, the fifth-ranked Hawks were positioned to do some damage at the NWAC Championship Tournament.
 
Their march through the NWAC Championship bracket included wins against #4th-ranked Clackamas CC and #2nd-ranked Umpqua CC. 
 
CBC squared off against top-ranked Lane CC in the championship game.  Holden’s Hawks shocked the basketball world with a 56-44 upset of the two-time defending champion.  CBC’s Kaci Bersen was named tournament MVP, while Sara Dalgliesh and Jessica Miller were named to the All-Tournament Team.
 
This title was the turning point in the program’s recent history.  The CBC women have claimed five East Region Championships, Four NWAC Championships, and qualified for the post-season in 11 of the 12 years since.
 
With four teams inducted into the CBC Hall of Fame since 2010, tonight’s team induction represents another first.   The 2004-05 women’s basketball team is the first women’s team to be inducted into the CBC Hall of Fame.
 
With four championships in a decade to her credit, Cheryl Holden raised the bar to a standard few can match.  As a result, her first title team was selected to carry this torch.