Saint Mary-of-the-Woods graduate Sydney Ingram returned for her fifth year with the Pomeroys' women's basketball program, and it was a decision she made with conviction.
"After all the seniors were talking about their last games, I was like 'I'm coming back coach.' There's no other option. I needed to play one more year," Ingram said.
Ingram led SMWC (14-14) with a scoring average of 11.6 points and her play helped the Pomeroys to the championship game of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) tournament. She was among the top shooters in NAIA with a 45.7 percent mark from 3-point range, which ranked seventh in the nation.
The Beavercreek, Ohio, native aided second-year coach Scot MacAllister in building the program, and she got more satisfying news recently.  
Ingram learned last week that her SMWC jersey would be hanging at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame for the next year as part of the venue's Ring of Honor. The Ring of Honor consists of over 100 jerseys hanging from the rafters of the back rotunda at the Hall of Fame. The display includes jerseys of some of the top college and high school players for the previous season.
"A lot of women's players are in that museum. To even be in the same building as that, it's so hard to fathom. I love basketball and this is one of the greatest honors I could ever receive," Ingram said. "I was in shock and very emotional about it. I'm just very honored that I was even chosen. I can't even put into words how grateful I am for it."
Ingram plans to visit the museum sometime in the next year to see her jersey in person, while also viewing exhibits that celebrate the sport she loves.
"I'm definitely a basketball addict, not only women's basketball but men's basketball," Ingram said. "I'm a huge Duke fan. UConn is one of my favorite teams to watch. I love Geno [Auriemma] and their program."
MacAllister is thrilled for his player and to have the Pomeroys' presence in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
"What an incredible honor for Sydney and St. Mary-of-the-Woods College!" MacAllister said. "Sydney's work ethic and determination to be better every day has paid off. We're just so proud of her on being the first player in Pomeroy history to have her jersey displayed at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame!"
Ingram was a second-team USCAA All-American in the Pomeroys' final season in the USCAA.
"I would not be able to be in this position without coach MacAllister and him giving me an opportunity to play an extra year," Ingram said. "I wouldn't have been able to play again this year. It was one of the best seasons I had individually stats-wise, but also the year we had. The team was really special and we had a great run. Obviously, I would not have been in the position without all of time. They always pushed me to be the best. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to be All-American but then get to the national championship. It was just an amazing season and I'm so grateful for all of them."
Ingram also credits her high school coaches for helping her development as well as her father Scott, who put in time with her growing up.
"A special thanks to Mike Austria and head coach Cecilia Grosselin. Rob Berry, the former varsity coach at Carroll, passed away from cancer. He told all the coaches to take me in. They were huge in my development and the belief they had in me. I wasn't always confident in myself. Just hearing them be positive coming to practice every day. They gave me encouragement to be personally confident in myself."  
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, which opened in 1999, is the only facility of its kind, dedicated to all levels of women's basketball.  For more information on the Ring of Honor or the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame visit www.wbhof.com or call (865) 663-9000.