Coronavirus: Flyer thankful for championship season despite ending

Four days after winning the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament on its home court, the Dayton Flyers women's basketball team saw its season end with the cancellation of the NCAA tournament.

The Flyers would have gathered Monday night to watch the Selection Show as they did eight times in the previous 10 seasons. Dayton has earned three NCAA berths in coach Shauna Green’s four seasons, but it won’t get the game or games to go with that berth this season.

Dayton finished the season 25-8. Here’s how Green and the players reacted to the news on social media:

Green: "I'm so grateful we had this moment. This is how I want to remember this season. Pure joy from years of hard work. This group is special. These seniors are special. I'll forever be grateful for all they've done. Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened. Love u guys."

I’m so grateful we had this moment. This is how I want to remember this season. Pure joy from years of hardwork. This group is special. These seniors are special. I’ll forever be grateful for all they’ve done. Don’t cry because it’s over,smile because it happened. Love u guys💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/glZUQGzBfy
— Shauna Green (@Shauna_Green) March 13, 2020

Jayla Scaife: "These past 4 years have been amazing! What I've learned in this journey is immeasurable. I love what I was able to be a part of. I'll forever be grateful for being a Flyer and putting on that jersey. Thank you for allowing me to play such an amazing place!"

Jordan Wilmoth: "This past Sunday was a dream come true. Playing on our home court, in front of family, friends and the best fans in the world on the biggest stage. … Championship Sunday. I never would have thought that day would be the last time I would put on a Dayton jersey. These past four years have been more than I ever could imagine."

Wilmoth then listed Dayton’s accomplishments during her career: three A-10 regular-season championships, two A-10 tournament titles and three trips to the NCAA tournament, the last one cancelled because of this decision.

Wilmoth wrote she gained “not just friends but sisters that I have laughed, cried and rejoiced with through thick and thin,” and she grew as a player and as a woman.

“From the bottom of my heart,” Wilmoth wrote. “Thank you to everyone who has made my collegiate career and senior year a special one. I am proud to say that I am going out a winner … a champion.”