Berks Catholic graduate Dejah Terrell still vividly remembers the final game of her sophomore season of college basketball.
Playing for Albright, Terrell was held to three points in the Lions’ loss to Williams College in the NCAA Division III Tournament on March 6, 2020, just days before the COVID-19 pandemic brought sports to a halt.
Terrell transferred to California University of Pennsylvania months later, but the Vulcans’ 2020-21 season was canceled due to the pandemic. So for more than 20 months, Terrell reflected on her three-point performance and prepared for her next opportunity to take the floor.
“It humbled me a lot,” Terrell said. “(It) made me want to go harder.”
Terrell returned to the court in November in California’s season opener and has dominated since, leading the Vulcans and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West in scoring at 18.8 points per game. Her scoring average is tied for the best in the conference along with Shepherd’s Abby Beeman. She’s also averaging 9.9 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 1.7 steals per game.
“She’s huge for us,” California coach Jess Strom said. “A lot of what we do goes through her.”
In her first season at the NCAA Division II level, Terrell was named the PSAC West women’s basketball Athlete of the Year and Defensive Athlete of the Year. She was also named to the PSAC West first team.
“It meant everything to me,” Terrell said about the honors. “It just lit up my world.”
A junior, Terrell has improved in several areas since joining the Vulcans in the fall of 2020. She has 50 steals and a .721 free throw percentage this season, both career highs.
“She has grown into her role, which is still scoring for us, blocking shots (and) playing defense,” Strom said. “But I’ve seen a huge improvement in her passing and her defensive presence.”
Terrell helped lead California to a 22-4 regular season record and the PSAC West regular season title. The Vulcans earned a No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the PSAC Tournament.
California won its first two games of the tournament, defeating Edinboro and Shepherd to advance to the title game. Terrell had 20 points against the Fighting Scots before scoring 11 against the Rams.
The Vulcans fell to Gannon 59-47 in the PSAC championship game on Sunday at Kutztown, a short drive from Terrell’s hometown of Reading. Despite the loss, Terrell, who finished with 17 points, was thankful for the opportunity to play for a conference title in her home county.
“It feels good,” Terrell said. “I feel like this was a gift from God, because not a lot of people can say they played their college championship game 25, 30 minutes away from home.”
Terrell had lots of family and friends in attendance at Keystone Arena, including her former high school coach Bob Birmingham. Terrell played at Berks Catholic from 2015-18, and helped lead the Saints to an appearance in the state final in 2018.
“She’s having a great year,” said Birmingham, who is in his 11th season as coach at Berks Catholic. “I’m just happy for her.”
With a 24-5 overall record, California likely will receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament, which begins later this month. The Vulcans last qualified for the tournament in 2020, but their first-round game was canceled due to the pandemic.
“I’m happy to be at Cal,” Terrell said. “I’m happy to be with this group of girls, win or lose.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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