Tressa Jeffrey has been named head women’s basketball coach at Central Christian College of the Bible, Director of Athletics Janeil Owen announced on Monday.

"We are excited to have Tressa as our new head coach," stated Owen. "With her deep love for Central and the girls, plus her proven track record as an assistant coach, we've already scored three wins before the season starts. With coach Tressa, it will be more than just TorchesUp. It will be PassionUp, IntensityUp, and PreparationUp! I'm pumped for our Lady Saints and this upcoming season."

Jeffrey, a 2019 graduate of Central Christian, spent the 2023-24 season as an assistant coach with the Saints women's basketball program. She played a vital role in the team's first winning season since 2015-16.

Prior to her time as an assistant at Central Christian, she spent two seasons as the assistant coach and junior varsity head coach at Prairie Heights High School in LaGrange, Ind.

In college, she played volleyball and basketball for the Saints. As a freshman in 2014-15, she played in the first three games before a knee injury sidelined her for the rest of the season. The Saints women's basketball squad went on to finish 20-8 and was the runner-up at the NCCAA DII national tournament.

She returned the following year and helped the team to a 17-11 mark in 2015-16. Jeffrey averaged just under 10 points per game during her career and was an all-conference and all-region selection for women's volleyball.

Jeffrey plans to build on the success of the Saints' 15-14 record in 2023-24.

"I am incredibly excited and honored to step into the role of head women’s basketball coach here at Central," Jeffrey said. "I want to thank Central for giving me this opportunity to not only lead young women in the game of basketball, but also in their personal relationships with Jesus. I can’t wait to get started and see what we can achieve as a team. Here’s to a new chapter at Central, filled with passion, dedication, and hopefully many victories!"

A native of LaGrange, Jeffrey also served near her hometown on the staff at Lake James Christian Camp and as the Children's Minister at LaHarpe Christian Church after college. 

Jeffrey graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Youth and Family Ministry from CCCB. She resides in Moberly with her husband, Eli, who is a 2020 graduate of Central Christian. 

The Central Christian women’s basketball team finished off their regular season with back-to-back wins at home against teams that beat them earlier in the season. This propelled the Saints in the Midwest Christian College Conference standings to finish in a tie for third place this season.

On Friday night, the Saints put up their season-high point total as they defeated Faith Baptist Bible College, 73-57. Four players scored in double figures: Savanna Luna led the way with 18 points and 7 assists, followed by Alexis Whisenand with 17 points and 11 rebounds, Harmoni Tart with 12 points, and Claire Van Thomme another 11.

The Saints trailed by one at half-time, down 28-27. They came back out hot as they scored 46 points in the second half. The Saints shot 38 percent from the field and 4-for-9 from 3-point range. They were also able to win the rebounding battle, including 14 offensive rebounds on the night.

The next day, Central Christian faced Emmaus Bible College for Senior Day at the Ferneau Center. The first half was a defensive battle for both squads as the score at halftime was in favor of the Saints, 23-14. The Saints held Emmaus to shooting 28% from the field, while also outrebounding them.

Central Christian finished the game shooting 43 percent from the field, including another night of 4-for-9 from 3-point and 17 team assists. CCCB won the game, 61-45. 

Two Saints recorded double-doubles: Alexis Whisenand with 11 points and 13 rebounds, and Claire Van Thomme with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Macaria Hines, Raya Brady, and Tart added eight points each. Luna dished out seven assists and Brady contributed seven rebounds.

As part of Senior Day, the Saints celebrated the career of Alexis Whisenand. In her last two regular season games at home, she recorded back-to-back double-doubles, shooting an impressive 10-for-22 from the field.

The CCCB women, who ended up with the No. 4 seed in this week's MCCC Tournament, will play No. 5 seed Barclay College in the opening round on Thursday at 1 p.m. in Ankeny, Iowa.

The CCCB women’s basketball team came home with the victory on Saturday at Union College. All eleven players for the Saints scored, along with 15 team assists providing a balanced scoring attack. Three Saints scored double figures: Claire Van Thomme led the way with 12 points, followed by Macaria Hines and Harmoni Tart with 10 each. Tart had a team-high rebounding total of 7. Atira Davis contributed 5 assists, followed by Luna with 4, and Alexis Whisenand with 3.

FINAL: Central Christian 65, Union 58
RECORDS: Central Christian (10-12), Union (2-13)

GAME NOTES:

• The Saints shot 8-for-20, for 40% from 3-point range.
• Saints shot 42% from the field, while limiting the Warriors to 29%.
• CCCB held a 36-22 lead at the half.
• Union was 15-for-28 at the charity stripe for the game, compared to the Saints’ 9-for-15.
• CCCB won the first meeting between the two teams, 63-32, in Moberly on Nov. 2, 2023.

TOP PERFORMERS:

• Claire Van Thomme: 12 points, 5 rebounds
• Macaria Hines: 10 points, 2-4 3-pointers
• Harmoni Tart: 10 points, 7 rebounds
• Savanna Luna: 9 points, 3-7 3-pointers

UP NEXT:

The Saints wrap up the regular season with a pair of Midwest Christian College Conference games at home. They host Faith Baptist Bible College on Friday at 5 p.m., then Emmaus Bible College at 2 p.m. Saturday is also Senior Day, as we look forward to honoring Alexis Whisenand. 

The Central Christian women’s basketball team defeated Maranatha Baptist University twice over the weekend, resulting in their best start in program history with a 5-0 record to begin the season.

The Saints took control early and led from start to finish in the first of two games against the Sabercats on Friday night, winning 58-53. Two of the Saints recorded double-doubles—Alexis Whisenand had 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Claire Van Thomme with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Ten Saints contributed to the scoring column, and as a team the CCCB women shot 34% from the field. The Saints also outrebounded the Sabercats, 56-41.

On Saturday, the Saints continued their momentum to a 51-40 victory. CCCB won the rebounding battle again, 56-46, along with 19 forced turnovers on the defensive end.

Atira Davis led in scoring with 11 points, followed by Alexis Whisenand with 10 points and eight rebounds. Savanna Luna contributed eight points and four assists. Raya Brady had a team-high of 10 rebounds.

The CCCB women look to continue their winning streak against NAIA opponent Hannibal La-Grange University at the Ferneau Center at 5 p.m. on Tuesday in Moberly.