Women’s top scorer bids farewell to CSC

Total points scored: 673. Total rebounds: 383. Years at CSC: 2.

Maka Daysh, sophomore of Tauranga, New Zealand, is leaving Chadron State and the women’s basketball team after competition for two years. Daysh was the leading scorer and rebounder both years at CSC.  She totaled 260 points her freshman year and 413 points her sophomore year. She led with 130 total rebounds in 2014-15 and 253 total in 2015-16.

She also marked the most offensive, 90, and defensive, 163, this season. She also led the RMAC in rebounding with an average of 9.7 per game. She was third in the RMAC with 15.9 points per game, and fourth with a 54 percent field goal percentage. She’s ranked 40th in NCAA D-II for her rebounds per game.

She was named to the Omaha World-Herald’s All-Nebraska Division II Women’s First Team Monday.

But, Daysh has decided to move on from Chadron State.

“My decision (to leave) was really made after Coach (Tim Connealy) was told his contract wasn’t being renewed,” Daysh said. “I respected him a lot as a coach and I couldn’t see myself playing under a new one.”

Daysh said she chose Chadron instead of other schools that made offers because of Connealy.

The 20-year-old studying sports management and recreation major started her basketball career in primary school in Tauranga. She started playing for New Zealand at age 16.

“I started playing because in primary school, they said I was super tall and should give it a go,” Daysh said.

Soccer, cricket, rugby, and track and field are all listed next to basketball on her resume.

After playing for New Zealand, Daysh realized she could progress more into basketball and set a goal to play NCAA basketball.

“I had a few major offers, but Chadron spoke out to me because of Coach Connealy,” Daysh said. “He was so nice and caring and super genuine. He would call and talk to my family two or three times a week. He was just willing to help with anything.”

Daysh excelled on the court for the Eagles, posting 13 double-doubles in her two years as an Eagle. Her first double-double as an Eagle came on Feb. 13, 2015, against Colorado Christian University at the Chicoine Events Center.

She ranks 21st in NCAA D-II with her total double-doubles.  She started in 46 of her 52 games and averaged 49.8 percent from the field and 12.95 points per game. She only turned over the ball an average of 2.3 times per game.

Daysh wore number 44 for Chadron State and said her host mom, Mary Landen, wore 44 when she played college basketball. Landen is Coach Connealy’s sister.

Daysh was put in touch with the Landen’s through Connealy because she was homesick at the beginning of her freshman year.

“I was homesick to the point of going home, and this was like a week into school,” Daysh said. “(Connealy) asked if I would be interested in a family, and I said sure, and that’s how it all started.”

Mary and Erich Landen are Daysh’s Chadron parents and Daysh claims their four kids as her siblings: Tobin, 7; Cella, 6; Brycen, 4; and Nealy, 2.

“They are amazing!” Daysh said. “I actually got a New Zealand tattoo this summer on my calf and it represents them and how special they are in my life.”

Daysh pulls inspiration to play from her family back home, especially her grandparents.

“They own a farm back in New Zealand and just work so hard and are so down to earth and loved by so many people,” Daysh said. “They have taught me to work hard for anything I want and no matter how big time you get, just remain humble. I also play for my family because if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have had as much success as I have.”

Andrew and Ange are Daysh’s parents. Ange played basketball and wore number 14 when she was younger. Daysh said she wore number 14 in high school and for New Zealand.

Daysh has one 18-year-old sister, Tamara, who attends junior college in New Zealand. She also had twin brothers who passed away.

“Before every game, I did two fist pumps for them,” Daysh said.

With a decade of basketball under her belt, Daysh said after she returns home to New Zealand, she will continue playing basketball for a women’s team at home and will try to earn a spot on the Tall Ferns, which is the elite women’s New Zealand team.

Daysh is going home to join the police force.

“It’s a 12-week academy and then out in placement for two years,” Daysh said. “I’ll then move into youth aid working with troubled kids in schools.”

Daysh came to the United States with eight years of basketball experience, two parents, and three siblings. Daysh may be leaving CSC and the United States, but she’ll be leaving the States with two more years of basketball, two more parents, and four more siblings.

Daysh came and improved Chadron State’s basketball team. The team is losing an impressive force on the court, but now Daysh will take her determination and drive back to New Zealand to be a force for the country.