The careers of the seniors on the Ohio State women’s basketball team are winding down. But despite the end being near, there is much excitement brewing among them.

Forwards D’Wan Shackleford, Didi Reynolds, and Courtney Coleman are hoping to go out with a bang by making it to the NCAA Tournament, something none of them have done in the past. The trio experienced some success in the 2000-01 season, when the Buckeyes went undefeated through the Women’s National Invitational Tournament.

For Shackleford, who attended Newark High School in Newark, Ohio, this year has made her previous three well worth the time.

“I think with anything you have your ups and downs,” she said. “This year has been a very significant and special year, being my last year and us being so successful.”

Shackleford has no reservations about ending her career in St. John Arena either, despite playing in the Schottenstein Center throughout her entire career at OSU.

“I always dreamed of playing in St. John Arena, and we played Texas here earlier in the season, and now I get to finish my career here,” Shackleford said.

She can’t hide her excitement about the possibility of reaching the NCAA tournament, hoping a win over Michigan and some wins in the Big Ten Conference Tournament can help boost the Buckeyes’ seeding in the Big Dance.

Shackleford said she would have a large group watching her play her final game.

“As of right now, I have 40 members of my family coming,” a smiling Shackleford said. “Usually when we all get together, we have a good time.”

As for Reynolds, she said her time at OSU has flown by quickly.

“You look back and remember a lot of great things, but you can’t imagine how fast it has gone,” she said.

Reynolds came to OSU from Bascom, Ohio, where she attended Hopewell-Louden High School.

“My biggest disappointment has been not being able to get in to the NCAA’s yet,” she said. “It was a major goal for me coming in here.”

However, Reynolds hopes that goal will be fulfilled this season.

“I don’t want to end on (not getting to the tournament),” she said. “That was our goal for this year.”

Despite many successful experiences throughout her four years as a Buckeye, Reynolds said her biggest accomplishment is yet to come.

“We have a great chance going into Big Ten (Tournament). We’d love to come away winning that, then go as far as we can in NCAA’s,” Reynolds said.

Along with Reynolds and Shackleford, Coleman is leaving her mark on the Buckeye program. She still leads the country in field goal percentage, and has reached the 1,000-point club.

But Coleman’s honors extend off the court as well. Before the season, she was named captain by Foster and her teammates.

Coleman is also a finalist for the Senior CLASS award — an acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School. The award is given annually to an outstanding male and female senior Division I basketball player.

Coleman said she has not minded the ups and downs of her career.

“I think every team goes through a lot — every team has injuries, every team has its problems, and everybody wins and loses,” Coleman said. “We are no different than any other team.”

Despite only playing for coach Jim Foster for one season, Coleman said she is appreciative of his guidance.

“He is a great teacher and teaches you about life — not just basketball,” she said. “He makes you thankful and makes you realize you should play every game like it’s your last.”

Like Reynolds and Shackleford, Coleman is looking forward to playing in the NCAA Tournament.

“I’ve never been there, so it would mean a whole lot to me,” she said. “Us three seniors will show what kind of legacy we want to leave for the rest of the players.”