Four Commodores Earn All-OCCAC and Region 12 Honors

March 21, 2025 - - Four players from the Lorain County Community College basketball teams—Ally Winnen, Abigail Schmitz, Deonte Benejan, and Dennis Pettis Jr.—earned All-Conference honors from the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) and All-Region honors from the NJCAA. Winnen was named Player of the Year in the OCCAC after her record-breaking sophomore season with the Commodores. 

For the first time since Marquita Thompson and Hannah Oehlstrom got it after the 2018-19 season, women's basketball had two players earn all-conference awards.  Winnen (Lorain, Ohio/Elyria Catholic HS) and Schmitz (Amherst, Ohio/Firelands HS) are the first LCCC teammates to each receive First Team All-OCCAC honors since LCCC joined the conference.  Winnen also won Player of the Year in NJCAA Region 12 DIII while Schmitz received the Player of the Year Runner Up distinction. 

On the men's side, Benejan's (Queens, New York/Lorain HS) Second Team honor is the second time he has made All-OCCAC in his 1000-point career with the Commodores. He ranked in the top five in multiple scoring categories including field goals made, free throws made, and total points scored. Benejan was also named the NJCAA Region 12 DIII Player of the Year while teammate Dennis Pettis Jr. (Lorain, Ohio/Lorain HS) made First Team All-Region. 
 
 
 

Ally Winnen 

Winnen (Lorain, Ohio/Elyria Catholic HS) had a dominant season for the women's basketball team and separated herself not just in the OCCAC but in the NJCAA as well. She set a new LCCC single season record for rebounds with 378 and, at one point, held the school record for most points scored in a single season.  Her teammate Schmitz passed her in the last game of the season. 

"Ally's success is a wonderful example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication, said Head Coach Brandon Lawler.  "While her statistical domination is apparent in points and rebounds, her commitment to leadership and encouragement to others has had an even greater impact on our program." 

Winnen consistently delivered high-impact performances throughout the season. She recorded multiple games with 20 or more rebounds, including a remarkable 29-rebound effort against Bryant and Stratton (OH) on February 5. Her ability to control the glass was instrumental all season, as she regularly outworked opponents for second-chance opportunities helping her to finish with the highest shooting percentage in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC). 

As part of the team's primary offensive duo with Abigail Schmitz, Winnen's scoring prowess was evident in numerous games.  Among her several standout performances, a 34-point record-tying (Madi Bonner - 2015-16) effort against Lakeland Community College on December 7, where she shot 73.7% from the field  and broke the single-game field goals record with 14, surpassing Onyx Lopez's (2024-16) previous mark of 13 set in 2016. 

Record breaking was the norm for Winnen throughout the season.  From her first game of the season on November 1, 2024, Winnen etched her name in the record books for rebounding by breaking the single-game offensive rebounds record with 14 against Walsh University JV, then broke her own record a couple months later with 18 offensive rebounds against Bryant & Stratton College. She showed off her defensive prowess early on as well, tying the single-game record for blocks with six in her third game of the season against the Community College of Allegheny County. In early February, she surpassed Vanecia Billings (2019-2022) for most rebounds in a season with her 344^th rebound. 
 
 
 
Her incredible performances did not go unnoticed, as Winnen was named the NJCAA DIII Player of the Week on Dec. 18, 2024.  She also earned OCCAC Player of the Week honors four times this season in four different months (Nov. 4, Dec. 9, Jan. 6, Feb. 10), further solidifying her status as one of the top players in the country. 
 
Winnen had seven 20-point/20-rebound games and recorded 19 double-doubles during her historic sophomore season. Additionally, she either led or was second in 10 different statistical categories in the OCCAC:  

• Field Goals Made (FG): 1st (202-378) 
• Field Goal Percentage (FG Pct): 1st (53.4%) 
• Free Throws Made (FT): 2nd (103-178) 
• Offensive Rebounds: 1st (174) 
• Defensive Rebounds: 1st (204) 
• Total Rebounds: 1st (378) 
• Rebounds per Game: 1st (17.2) 
• Blocks: 2nd (35) 
• Points: 2nd (507) 
• Points per Game: 1st (23.0) 
• Points per 40 Minutes: 1st (26.8) 

Nationally in Division III, Winnen finished in the top five in five different categories: 

• Free Throws Made (FT): 5th (103-178) 
• Offensive Rebounds: 2nd (174) 
• Total Rebounds: 2nd (378) 
• Rebounds per Game: 2nd (17.2) 
• Points per Game: 4th (23.0) 

Abigail Schmitz 

Like her teammate, Schmitz (Amherst, Ohio/Firelands HS) also had a historic first season with the Commodores basketball team culminating with her setting the single-season record for points scored with 525 on March 1 vs. Owens Community College. Schmitz showcased her ability to take over games with her scoring abilities, opening the season with a 21-point performance against Walsh JV and followed it up with a 25-point effort against Kent State-Tuscarawas the following day. 

"Abigail's passion and commitment to basketball is inspirational," said Lawler. "Her positive attitude and aggressive mentality exemplified our competitive culture.  Our program has a bright future with her and a handful of teammates returning next year." 

She continued to be a reliable scorer for her team, reaching double figures in every game with the exception of two, including two 30-point games. Her ability to score in a variety of ways—whether driving to the basket, knocking down three-pointers, or getting to the free-throw line—made her a constant threat to opposing defenses. 

One of Schmitz's best games came in a hard-fought loss to Edison State on January 11, where she dropped 29 points on an efficient 61.1% shooting. Additionally, she posted multiple games with 27 or more points. Her 28-point, 13-rebound, 5-assist performance against Owens Community College on February 13 to wrap up the regular season further solidified her as one of the top scorers in LCCC history. 
 
Schmitz proved to be one of the best players in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference during the 2024-25 season, she finished ranked in the top ten in the OCCAC in the following categories. 

• Total Points: 1st (525) 
• Points Per Game: 3rd (18.8 PPG) 
• Points Per 40 Minutes: 2nd (22.9) 
• Field Goals Made: 2nd (193-508) 
• Three-Pointers Made: 6th (53-193) 
• Free Throws Made: 5th (86-128) 
• Defensive Rebounds: 5th (147) 
• Assists: 10th (77) 

Nationally in Division III, Schmitz ranked 7^th in total points scored.  

Deonte Benejan 

Benejan (Queens, New York/Lorain HS) had another excellent season as the leading scorer for the men's basketball team, consistently contributing offensively throughout the campaign. Across the 2024-2025 season, Benejan had multiple 20-point and 30-point games, including a career-high 45 points against Terra State on December 4.   

"Deonte is a top-tier basketball talent," said Head Coach Marty Eggleston.  "He is a next level player and would be a great contributor to a high-level program. "  
 
  

Among his peers in the OCCAC, Benejan ranks in the top ten in numerous statistical categories:  

• Free Throws Made: 1st (143-204) 
• Points: 5th (535 points) 
• Field Goals Made: 5th (184-424)  
• Points per Game: 4th (21.4 PPG)  
• Points per 40 Minutes: 2nd (32.2 PPG) 

Benejan has been a prolific scorer for the Commodores with back-to-back 500-point seasons, he set the single-season record of points scored in his first season with 634 and scored 535 in his second for a total of 1,169 career points. He was named NJCAA DIII Third Team All-American and was First Team All-OCCAC after his freshman season. 

Dennis Pettis Jr. 

Pettis Jr. (Lorain, Ohio/Lorain HS) proved himself to be a consistent player and partner to Benejan's offensive game.  Pettis started in 21 of the 26 games he played in and finished the season with 16.8 points per game. He had several strong performances throughout the 2024-25 season, including a 34-point game against Edison State on January 11 and a 29-point effort against CC of Allegheny County on January 5.  

"DJ is a great asset to our young team," said Eggleston.  "He's shown glimpses of great leadership, and we look forward to a bright future for him. He is super talented and dedicated to his basketball journey."