WolfPack Win National Title, First for Program

Tournament MVP Gabi Hungerford had a game-high 23 points and seven rebounds. Hungerford recorded a total of 54 points and 29 rebounds in three national tournament games. Other standouts for Madison were Morgan Lass and Thresia Elskamp who scored 16 and 12 points, respectively. Second year starter, Kendra Mussehl, added 10 points and five rebounds. Lass and Elskamp were both named to the all-tournament team.

The WolfPack shot 45 percent from the field and generated 22 points off of turnovers as they pulled away down the stretch. Madison College finishes the season with a 31-3 overall record.

Photo courtesy of Madison College Sports Information.

All-Tournament Team
http://www.rochsports.org/2010njcaawbbtourneyteam.pdf

Visit http://www.rochsports.org/2010njcaawbb.php for more on the tournament.

For Additional Information:
Kim Macleod
Office: (607) 746-4520
Courtside: (607) 746-4646

All photos by Gerry Raymonda
http://gerryraymonda.zenfolio.com/

Championship

Game 12 - 8 p.m.

Joliet Junior College, Ill. 94
Rochester Community and Technical College, Minn. 82

Gameline: The 2010 NJCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship was held for the last time at SUNY Delhi. SUNY Delhi has been home of the championship for the past 20 years. The match up consisted of the two top teams, the Rochester Yellowjackets and the Joliet Wolves. Right from the start Joliet won the tip putting them at the advantage. Both team struggled with point blank shots in the opening minutes.

Wolves Jon Bartlett picked up his team with multiple three-point shots and rebounds.

Demetrius Williams helped out the Yellowjackets with impressive steal and lay-up. The contenders answered each others' three-point field goals and impressive defensive plays ending the first half with the Rochester Yellowjackets on top of the Joliet Wolves 42-39.

Both teams entered the second half with the desire to win the 2010 Men's NJCAA Championship. Throughout the second half Shiron Williams of Rochester dazzled Joliet's defense scoring 17 points. Reggie Lemon from Joliet stealed the ball from the offensive team and made a lay-up to tie the game crushing the spirit of Rochester. The Wolves took a 6-0 run over the Yellowjackets, but Brandon Milde stopped them from going any further ahead. Joliet Junior College from Illinois won the 2010 NJCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship 94-82 over Rochester Community and Technical College.

Game 12
Joliet Junior College, Ill. (94)
Bradley 5-15 9-10 19, Pierce 7-11 5-7 21; Lemon 1-3 0-0 2; Reed 2-8 3-6 7; Devine 6-14 0-0 14; Supergan 6-6 3-4 15; Barlett 7-12 1-1 16. Total 34-70 21-28 94.
Rochester Community and Technical College, Minn. (82)
Drager 1-2 0-0 3; S. Williams 5-9 7-8 17; Rhodes 1-5 0-0 2; Fritsch 3-8 3-5 11; D. Williams 6-23 1-2 13; Conway 3-9 0-0 8; Milde 10-14 0-0 23; Martin 1-2 2-3 5. Total 30-73 13-18 82.

Halftime - Joliet 39, Rochester 42.

Three-point goals - Joliet (Pierce 2-3, Devine 2-7, Bartlett 1-5), Rochester (Drager 1-2, Fritsch 2-4, Milde 3-4, Martin 1-1). Fouled Out - Joliet (Bartlett), Rochester (Conway). Rebounds - Joliet 49 (Bradley 9), Rochester 37 (D. Williams 10). Assists - Joliet 17 (Bradley, Reed 4), Rochester 16 (D. Williams 6). Total Fouls - Joliet 16, Rochester 23.

A- 511.


Tournament M.V.P. Brian Bradley drives to the whole for two.



Lennell Pierce slashes to the point in the second half of the final game.

Final Round- March 13

Game 9 - 1 p.m.

Davidson County Community College, N.C. 80
Mountain View Community College, Texas 85

Gameline: The ninth game of the NJCAA Men's Division III Championship Tournament featured the Mountain View Community College Lions and the Davidson County Community College Storm.

Both teams started the game with high energy and enthusiasm despite playing their third game in three days. Davidson took an early 10-point lead, and for the remainder of the half, the two teams traded baskets. Going into half-time Davidson, led by Justin Glover and Eric Potts who each had 8 points, held a 7-point lead over Mountain View 39-32.

At the beginning of the second half, Mountain View was able to go on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 39. From that point both teams traded baskets. Mountain View won by five points, 85-80, earning seventh place in the tournament. Davidson County Community College ended in eighth place.

Davidson's Kevin Thomas contributed 19 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, while Justin Glover of Mountain View helped his team out with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Game 9
Davidson County Community College, N.C. (80)

P. Williams 4-6 4-7 12; Geter 5-13 0-0 15; Potts 5-8 0-0 10; Rives 1-4 0-0 3; Glover 8-18 4-5 21; Ellen 0-0 1-2 1; Z. Williams 6-10 0-1 12; Hunt 2-7 0-0 6. Total 31-66 9-15 80.

Mountain View Community College, Texas (85)

Thomas 6-17 3-6 19; Sneed 2-3 0-1 4; Smith 2-6 0-0 4; Jeffrey Ayisire 6-14 2-2 14; Sample 2-11 0-0 6; Domouchet 4-8 0-1 8; Staggers 5-13 1-2 12; Gooden 2-6 1-1 5; Jeromie Ayisire 5-6 3-4 13. Total 34-85 10-17 85.

Halftime - Davidson 39, Mountain View 32.

Three-point goals - Davidson (Geter 5-10, Rives 1-4, Glover 1-6, Hunt 2-5), Mountain View (Thomas 4-11, Sample 2-6, Staggers 1-6). Fouled Out - None. Rebounds - Davidson 44 (Z. William 9), Mountain View 49 (Jeromie Ayisire 13). Assists - Davidson 16 (P. Williams 5), Mountain View 16 (Sample 8). Total Fouls - Davidson 17, Mountain View 14.

A-272.


Phillip Williams (Davidson) Drives to the basket for two.

Jeffrey Ayisire (Mountain View) dashes to the rim.

Game 10 - 3 p.m.

Herkimer County Community College, N.Y. 83
Sullivan County Community College, N.Y 76

Gameline: The tenth game of the 2010 NJCAA Men's Basketball Tournament featured the Herkimer County Community Generals and the Sullivan County Community Generals.

The game started with both teams having an even match up, trading baskets. Moses Dayee from Sullivan hit back-to-back three-point goals to put his team on top by 3 points with less then 10 minutes remaining in the first half. The first half ended with the teams exchanging three-point goals to end with the score reading Herkimer 39 and Sullivan 35.

The second half began with both New York teams fighting for the fourth place spot. With 10 minutes left in the game, Geraldo Fernandez from Sullivan hit back-to-back threes to tie the game, but the Generals' momentum was lost after a technical foul by Jordan Thorpe leading to a 5-point turnaround. Steals from Herkimer kept Sullivan from gaining the lead. Ellis and Brown from the Herkimer Generals took control on the court by hitting three-point shots and slam dunks to stretch their lead to 10 with six minutes remaining. Earning fourth place overall in the 2010 tournament was Herkimer County Community College, beating Sullivan College by winning by seven, with a score of 83-76. Sullivan placed sixth.

Ellis and Brown from Herkimer scored 29 points each. Ellis contributed 13 rebounds and 1 assists. Teammate Brown added 4 rebounds and 1 assists. Sullivan's Pope and Dayee added 19 points each for their team.

Game 10

Herkimer County Community College, N.Y. (83)
Ellis 10-20 5-8 29; Baldwin 1-7 0-0 2; Thompson 2-5 0-2 4; Floyd 2-6 1-3 5; Brown 13-17 2-2 29; German 1-6 0-0 2; Thomas 2-4 1-2 5; Austin- Michaud 2-3 3-3 7. Total 33-71 12-20 83.
Sullivan County Community College, N.Y. (76)
Pope 8-10 3-8 19; Wade 4-8 4-4 14; Thorpe 3-6 3-5 9; Givens 1-4 2-4 4; Fernandez 3-10 0-0 8; Mullings 1-4 0-0 3; Dayee 7-20 0-0 19. Total 27-62 12-21 76.

Halftime - Herkimer 39, Sullivan 35.

Three-point goals - Herkimer (Ellis 4-8, Brown 1-2), Sullivan (Wade 2-3, Fernandez 2-9, Mullings 1-4, Dayee 5-16). Fouled Out - None. Rebounds - Herkimer 40 (Ellis 13), Sullivan 42 (Thorpe 8). Assists - Herkimer 13 (Austin-Michaud 4), Sullivan 16 (Dayee 5). Total Fouls - Herkimer 16, Sullivan 17.

A- 476.CAPTIONS:

Cliff Brown (Herkimer) hurdles his defender as he goes in for the lay-up.

Evan Pope (Sullivan) snatches the rebound away from the opposing team.

Game 11 - 6 p.m.

Roxbury Community College, Mass. 101
Bergen Community College, N.J. 108

Gameline: The battle for third place in the 2010 NJCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship was between the Roxbury Tigers and the Bergen Bulldogs.

Bergen came out strong right from the beginning yet Roxbury answered with consecutive three-point goals and a slam dunk. The Bergen Bulldogs accomplished numerous steals to gain the lead with 11 minutes remaining in the first half. Ravon Dunbar of Roxbury kept his team alive by hitting goals and participating in assists. The first half ended with Bergen leading over Roxbury 53-46.

The second half was played with enthusiasm with the game turning into a fast paced challenge. Both teams were trading baskets in transition. Bergen won the back and forth battle between the two by 7 with a score of 108-101 earning their third place victory. The Tigers of Roxbury finished fifth place overall.

Roxbury was led by Jeffery Cannon with 32 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Elgin Brown gave Bergen 24 points, 12 rebounds and 2 assists.

Game 11
Roxbury Community College, Mass. (101)
Cruz 2-6 0-0 5; Cannon 13-31 4-5 32; Amado 5-6 1-2 11; Young 3-6 1-1 7; Martin 3-6 1-2 7; Dunbar 10-22 5-7 31; Lewis 1-5 2-2 4; Garner 1-3 2-3 4. Total 38-87 16-24 101.
Bergen Community College, N.J. (108)
Hosang 6-8 2-2 14; Schmitt 1-2 2-2 14; Matos 4-6 0-0 8; West 7-14 3-8 17; Beaty 3-6 1-2 7; Ross 6-10 3-4 16; Edwards 8-9 2-4 18; Brown 11-17 2-4 24. Total 46-72 15-26 108.

Halftime - Roxbury 46, Bergen 53.

Three-point goals - Roxbury (Cruz 1-4, Cannon 2-15, Dunbar 6-14), Bergen (Ross 1-1). Fouled Out - Bergen (Brown). Rebounds - Roxbury 31 (Dunbar 5), Bergen 55 (Brown 12). Assists - Roxbury 21 (Amado 9), Bergen 21 (West, Beaty 5). Total Fouls - Roxbury 21, Bergen 23.

A- 452.


Jeffrey Cannon drives to the hoop.

Asmar Evans dishes the ball off for an assist.

2010 All Tournament Team and MVP

1. Justin Glover - Davidson County Community College, N.C.
2. Kevin Thomas - Mountain View College, Texas
3. Moses Dayee - Sullivan County Community College, N.Y.
4. Akeem Ellis - Herkimer County Community College, N.Y.
5. Ravon Dunbar - Roxbury Community College, Mass.
6. Elgin Brown - Bergen Community College, N.J.
7. Demetrius Williams - Rochester Community and Technical College, Minn.
8. Jon Bartlett - Joliet Junior College, Ill.

MVP of the 2010 Tournament
Brian Bradley - Joliet Junior College, Ill.

Gary Cole Coach of the Tournament
Joe Kuhn - Joliet Junior College, Ill.

Official Touranment Website: www.championships-delhi.org

Live stats throughout the tournament will be available via CyberSports at:
http://www.cybersportsusa.com/tourney.asp?tc_id=2245

Fans can also follow the tournament on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/NJCAA-Division-III-Mens-Basketball-Championship/335590493719?v=wall

2010 NJCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship
SUNY Delhi
Delhi, New York 13753
March 11, 12, 13, 2010
Floyd L. Maines Arena

For Additional Information:
Kim Macleod
Office: (607) 746-4520
Courtside: (607) 746-4646

Second Round -March 12, 2010

All photos by Gerry Raymonda
http://gerryraymonda.zenfolio.com/

Game 5 - 1 p.m.

Mountain View Community College, Texas 71
Sullivan County Community College, N.Y. 74

Gameline: The fifth game of the NJCAA Men's Division III Championship Tournament featured Mountain View Community College Lions and the Sullivan Community County Generals in a consolation match.

At the half-way mark of the first half, Sullivan County had a 2-point lead. The two teams traded baskets for the remainder of the second half. Mountain View led by Kevin Thomas ended the first half with a 7 to 2 run giving the Lions a half time lead of 5 points, 35-30. Sullivan was led by Moses Dayee and Geraldo Fernandez whose combined scored totaled more than half the team's points.

Both teams began where they left off in the first half. The Sullivan Generals narrowed their deficit to 2 points with nearly ten minutes remaining. With eight minutes to go in the second half, Sullivan captured its first lead of the game. Mountain View had a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer with three seconds left. The contest ended with Sullivan winning 74-71 over Mountain View.

Moses Dayee from Sullivan County Community College led his team with 26 points while Kevin Thomas from Mountain View Community College had 18. Sullivan will move on to play for fourth place March 13 at 3 p.m.

Game 5

Sullivan County Community College, N.Y. (74)
Dayee 7-20 7-7 26; Pope 4-6 2-2 10; Wade 6-11 2-3 14; Thorpe 1-2 0-0 2; Humphrey 1-3 0-0 2; Givens 1-2 2-6 4; Fernandez 6-16 0-0 14; Joseph 1-1 0-0 2. Total 27-64 13-18 74.

Mountain View Community College, T.X. (71)
Thomas 5-16 4-5 18; Smith 2-4 1-2 6; Jeffrey Ayisire 4-7 0-0 8; Sample 2-7 2-2 7; Domouchet 6-18 2-2 14; Staggers 1-1 0-0 2; Gooden 1-1 1-1 3; Jeromie Ayisire 6-12 1-4 13. Total 27-71 11-16 71.

Halftime - Sullivan 30, Mountain View 35.

Three-point goals - Sullivan (Dayee 5-12, Fernandez 2-7), Mountain View (Thomas 4-12, Smith 1-2, Sample 1-4). Fouled out - None. Rebound - Sullivan 35 (Fernandez 9), Mountain View 50 (Jeffery Ayisire 11). Assists - Sullivan 11 (Dayee 5), Mountain View 14 (Sample 6). Total Fouls - Sullivan 15, Mountain View 18.

A-253.


Dwayne Wade (Sullivan) steals the ball and looks to attack the basket. Charles Smith (Mountain View) seen in background.

Kenny Domouchet rises for a lay-up in the second half of Game 5.

Game 6 - 3 p.m.

Davidson County Community College, N.C. 87
Herkimer County Community College, N.Y. 91

Gameline: The six game of the 2010 NJCAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament featured Davidson County Community College the Storm and the Herkimer County Community College Generals. Justin Glover from The Storm hit three 3-point field goals at the start of the game to gain the lead over the Generals. Herkimer and Davidson exchanged baskets throughout the first half. Matt Baldwin from Herkimer contributed beyond the perimeter to allow the Generals to pull ahead with two minutes left in the half. Herkimer was ahead 47-34 over Davidson at the half.

The second half tipped off with multiple steals and turnovers from both teams. With less than ten minutes to go in the second half, Davidson cut Herkimer's lead to 9. With four minutes remaining, the Herkimer Generals were able to extend their lead to 13 points, leading 80-67 over the Davidson Storm. With 45 seconds remaining in the second half, Davidson lowered their deficit to 6 points. Herkimer defeated Davison with a score of 91-87.

The Generals were led by Akeem Ellis with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists and The Storm was led by Justin Glover with 31 points. The Herkimer Generals move on to game 10 against Sullivan County Community College at 3 p.m. and Davidson plays their final round at 1 p.m. on March 13.

Game 6
Herkimer County Community College, N.Y. (91)
Ellis 7-11 4-6 19; Baldwin 2-7 0-0 6; Thompson 4-6 0-3 8; Floyd 5-11 2-4 15; Brown 7-13 1-2 16; German 5-8 4-4 14; Thomas 2-2 2-3 6; Austin-Michaud 3-5 1-5 7. Total 35-63 14-27 91.

Davidson County Community College, N.C. (87)
P. Williams 5-12 4-8 14; Geter 4-12 0-0 10; Potts 2-6 0-0 4; Rives 2-4 0-0 6; Glover 10-18 6-7 31; Z. Williams 4-10 5-5 13; Hunt 3-8 0-0 9. Total 30-70 15-20 87.

Halftime - Herkimer 47, Davidson 34.

Three-point goals - Herkimer (Ellis 1-2, Baldwin 2-7, Floyd 3-6, Brown 1-2), Davidson (Geter 2-5, Rives 2-4, Glover 5-9, Hunt 3-7). Fouled Out - Herkimer (Austin-Michaud), Davidson (Glover). Rebounds - Herkimer 42 (Ellis 12), Davidson 37 (Z. Williams 9). Assists - Herkimer 18 (Ellis 6), Davidson 18 (P. Williams 8). Total Fouls - Herkimer 15, Davidson 19.

A-279

Cliff Brown dashes to the basket for the lay-up.

Kimani Hunt comes down with a tough reward.

Game 7 - 6 p.m.

Bergen Community College, N.J. 79
Rochester Community & Technical College, Minn. 84

Gameline: The 2010 NJCAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament held its first semi-final game featuring the undefeated Bergen Bulldogs and Rochester Yellowjackets.

The competition started off strong with a battle to achieve rebounds and field goals. The Yellowjackets pulled ahead with a strong defense on the court. Elgin Brown and David West from Bergen led their team on the court with five minutes left in the first half. At half time, the Yellowjackets held an 8-point lead over the Bulldogs.

In the second half Bergen was able to close the gap on the leading Rochester Yellowjackets though multiple steals and fast breaks. With ten minutes left in the half, the Yellowjackets led by 10. The half was filled with tension as both teams worked aggressively to mark their spot in the championship game, each answering one another's baskets. With a slam dunk and numerous steals by David West from the Bulldogs, Bergen remained 3 points away from the Yellowjackets with three minutes left in the game. Fouls lead to a back and fourth match-up. The semifinal game ended with a score of 84-79.

Rochester was led by David Fritsch with 23 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist. Bergen was led by Elgin Brown 22 points, 11 rebounds and 1 assists. The Rochester Yellowjackets advance to the championship game at 8 p.m., while Bergen Bulldogs play at 6 p.m. March 13.

Game 7
Rochester Community and Technical College, Minn. (84)
Drager 1-1 0-2 2; S. Williams 5-10 1-2 12; Rhodes 2-3 1-1 5; Fritsch 9-13 1-2 23; D. Williams 7-17 4-6 19; Conway 2-5 1-2 5; Milde 2-2 12; Martin 0-2 2-2 2; Kurk 2-2 0-0 4. Total 33-68 12-19 84.

Bergen Community College, N.J. (79)
Hosang 2-4 0-1 4; Schmitt 0-3 2-2 2; West 6-13 6-10 18; Beaty 1-6 1-5 3; Ross 7-20 1-2 16; Edwards 6-16 2-5 14; Brown 9-17 4-5 22. Total 31-79 16-30 79.

Halftime - Rochester 49, Bergen 41.

Three-point goals - Rochester (S. Williams 1-2, Fritsch 4-6, D. Williams 1-4), Bergen (Ross 1-4). Rebounds - Rochester 48 (D. Williams 11), Bergen 50 (Beaty 13). Assists - Rochester 17 (S. Williams 5), Bergen 14 (Schmitt 4). Total Fouls - Rochester 27, Bergen 20.

A-394.

Brandon Milde (Rochester) goes up for a contested shot.

David West (Bergen) swoops in for a reverse lay-up.

Game 8 - 8 p.m.

Joliet Junior College, Ill. 80
Roxbury Community College, Mass. 74

Gameline: The 2010 NJCAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament held its second semifinal game featuring the undefeated Roxbury Tigers and Joliet Wolves.

The competition started off strong with a battle to achieve rebounds and field goals. Both teams exchanged baskets throughout the first half keeping it a close game. Roxbury was able to pull ahead leading by two points 41-39 at the end of the half.

The Wolves opened up the second half on a ten-zero run to take an 8-point lead in the first five minutes. Half way through the second half both teams were knotted at 62 points. A key three-point shot was hit by Brian Bradley of the Joliet Wolves to give them a three-point lead with one minute remaining. Joliet won the contest by a score of 80-74 and will advance to the championship game tomorrow night at 8 p.m. against the Rochester Yellowjackets.

Joliet was led by Brian Bradley 28 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist and Cannon led Roxbury with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.

Game 8

Joliet Junior College, Ill. (80)
Bradley 12-21 0-1 28; Pierce 4-10 0-0 10; Reed 3-9 0-0 7; Devine 1-8 2-2 5; Supergan 5-5 1-2 11; Swarts 0-1 1-2 1; Bartlett 7-10 4-4 18. Total 32-65 8-11 80.

Roxbury Community College, Mass. (74)
Ulysse 1-3 0-0 2; Cruz 2-6 0-0 5; Cannon 10-27 0-2 24; Amado 0-4 0-0 0; Young 2-8 2-2 6; Martin 5-11 3-4 13; Dunbar 6-12 5-7 19; Lewis 2-3 0-0 5. Total 28-84 10-15 74.

Halftime - Joliet 39, Roxbury 41.

Three-point goals - Joliet (Bradly 4-9, Pierce 2-7, Reed 1-5, Devine 1-5), Roxbury (Cruz 1-3, Cannon 4-11, Dunbar 2-9, Lewis 1-2). Fouled out - None. Rebounds - Joliet 45 (Bartlett 11), Roxbury 48 (Martin 12). Assists - Joliet 17 (Reed 6), Roxbury 16 (Cannon 5). Total Fouls - Joliet 14, Roxbury 15.

A- 387


Joliet's Brian Bradley drives past his defender to the hoop.


Roxbury's Jeffrey Cannon and Greg Young sky for the rebound in the second half of Friday's semi-final game.

March 13th Schedule:
Game 9 (1pm): Mountain View vs. Davidson - 7th/8th Place
Game 10 (3pm): Sullivan vs. Herkimer - 4th/6th Place
Game 11 (6pm): Bergen vs. Roxbury- 3rd/5th Place
Game 12 (8pm): Rochester vs. Joliet - Championship

Official Touranment Website: www.championships-delhi.org

Live stats throughout the tournament will be available via CyberSports at:
http://www.cybersportsusa.com/tourney.asp?tc_id=2245

Fans can also follow the tournament on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/NJCAA-Division-III-Mens-Basketball-Championship/335590493719?v=wall

For Additional Information:
Kim Macleod
Office: (607) 746-4520
Courtside: (607) 746-4646

Opening Round Action, March 11, 2010

All photos by Gerry Raymonda
http://gerryraymonda.zenfolio.com/

Game 1 - 1 p.m.

Mountain View Community College, T.X. 89
Bergen Community College, N.J. 97

Gameline: The Men's Division III Basketball Championship tournament tipped off with Texas' pride, the Mountain View Community College Lions, going up against the returning Bergen Community College Bulldogs from New Jersey. The Lions were excited to compete in the NJCAA tournament for the first time. Bergen has been a strong competitor, remaining undefeated (32-0) throughout their season. The first game started off with intensity, as both teams were eager to gain the lead. Bergen showed their desire to win by pulling ahead with less than 10 minutes left in the first half through their offensive rebounding. With three minutes remaining of the half, Mountain View closed the deficit to a two-point Bergen lead 46-44.

The second half started just as the first, with both teams trading baskets. The Lions were ahead for the first time in the game, with the Bulldogs just trailing behind. Both teams experienced turnovers, fast breaks, and steals. Mountain View Lions showed determination in keeping their lead over the fierce Bulldogs, but had trouble keeping a grip over this undefeated team. Top player Elgin Brown of Bergen and Kevin Thomas of Mountain View both showed spirit and passion for the game by leading their teams. With eight minutes remaining, each team was having trouble gaining a substantial lead. With four minutes remaining, Elgin Brown of Bergen made two free-throws to make a 10-point lead. Also contributing throughout entire game was the Bulldogs' tallest player at 6'8' Jayvon Beaty. The Lions were relentless and never gave up challenging the number one seed Bergen. The game ended with the score reading Bergen 97 and Mountain View 89.

The tip off game of the NJCAA championship ended with the Bulldogs of Bergen Community College still remaining undefeated and moving on to the second round, which will be held March 12 at 6 p.m. and Mountain View playing at 1 p.m. in consolation round.

Game 1
Bergen Community College, N.J. (97)
Hosang 1-2 0-0 2, Schmitt 2-3 0-0 5, West 7-20 5-11 19, Beaty 4-13 1-2 9, Ross 7-14 1-3 15, Edwards 3-3 10-12 17, Brown 10-21 10-11 30. Total 34-76 27-39 97.

Mountain View Community College, T.X. (89)
Thomas 4-12 5-5 16, Sneed 0-0 2-2 2, Smith 3-4 0-0 7, Jeffrey Ayisire 5-13 0-0 10, Cheadle 2-6 4-9 8, Sample 10-13 2-3 24, Domouchet 4-8 1-4 9, Andrews 1-4 0-0 2, Staggers 1-5 0-0 3; Jeromie Ayisire 4-6 0-0 8. Totals 34-73 14-23 89.

Halftime - Bergen 46, Mountain View 44.

Three-point goals - Bergen (Schmitt 1-2, Edwards 1-1), Mountain View (Thomas 3-8, Smith 1-2, Sample 2-3, Staggers 1-4). Fouled out - Mountain View (Cheadle). Rebounds - Bergen 55 (Brown 18), Mountain View 41 (Jeffrey Ayisire 11). Assists - Bergen 8 (West 4), Mountain View 12 (Sample 6). Total Fouls - Bergen 27, Mountain View 19.

A-123.

Bergen's Elgin Brown looks to make a pass.


Rashad Sample of the Mountain View Lions makes a break past Bergen's Derrick Ross.

Game 2 - 3 p.m.

Rochester Community & Technical College, Minn. 83
Sullivan County Community College, N.Y. 80

Gameline: The second game featured the Rochester Yellowjackets (23-5) going up against the Sullivan County Generals (31-1). Generals' starting guard and team motivator Terry Coleman rolled his ankle shortly after the tip off. Ten minutes past the first half, Rochester accumulated a 10-point lead through hard-nosed defense and persistent offense. The Yellowjackets maintained their intensity throughout the first half and went into the locker rooms with a 37-29 lead.

At the beginning of the second half, both teams were fired-up as they traded baskets on offense. Sullivan's Generals were pumped up by the enthusiasm of their fans. Generals, however, continued to struggle behind the three-point line. The Yellowjackets' point guard, freshman Shiron Williams, kept the team motivated through the waning minutes of the second half. With three minutes left on the clock, Rochester's Aubrey Rhodes executed a three-point play to give the Yellowjackets an 11-point lead.

The Generals' Tyrone Mitchell made a key three-point shot with two minutes remaining, making it a 6-point deficit in favor of Rochester. With 27 seconds left, Sullivan trailed by 4 points with a chance to cut it by 2 on the free-throw line. Number 10 Dwayne Wade of Sullivan delivered the free throws and reduced Rochester's lead to 2 points. Tyrone Mitchell converted two free throws to tie the game for the Generals. Freshman Shiron Williams gave the Yellowjackets a 2-point lead with five seconds left by hitting two clutch free throws. The final score was Sullivan County Community College 80, Rochester Community and Technical College 83. Rochester will play Friday, March 12, at 6 p.m. against Bergen Community College. Sullivan will play a consolation game at 1 p.m.

Game 2
Sullivan County Community College, N.Y. (80)
ope 3-6 3-4 9, Wade 4-12 3-4 11, Thorpe 1-1 2-4 4, Humphrey 3-4 0-0 7, Givens 2-6 3-5 7, Mitchell 1-2 2-2 5, Fernandez 6-13 0-0 15, Dayee 6-19 7-9 22. Totals 26-66 20-28 60.

Rochester Community and Technical College, Minn. (83)
Drager 1-3 0-0 2, S. Williams 4-6 3-6 14, Rhodes 4-6 3-4 11, Fritsch 6-10 3-5 16, D. Williams 7-13 4-8 19, Conway 4-8 1-7 9, Milde 3-10 01 6, Martin 2-4 2-2 6. Totals 31-60 16-33 83.

Halftime - Sullivan 29, Rochester 37.

Three-point goals - Sullivan (Humphrey 1-2, Mitchell 1-1, Fernandez 3-7, Dayee 3-13), Rochester (S. Williams 3-4, Fritsch 1-5, D. Williams 1-2). Fouled out - Sullivan (Wade, Fernandez), Rochester (Rhodes). Rebounds - Sullivan 44 (Wade 11), Rochester (Fritsch 6, Conway 6). Assists - Sullivan 10 (Dayee 3), Rochester (S. Williams 6). Total Fouls - Sullivan 28, Rochester 25.

A-247

Sullivan's Terry Coleman drives in for the basket


Sullivan's Evan Pope approaches Rochester's Joe Conway

Game 3 - 6 p.m.

Roxbury Community College, Mass. 81
Davidson County Community College, N.C. 78

Gameline: Davidson County Community College and Roxbury Community College battled in the third game of the Men's Division III Championship Tournament. The game started off with back-to-back three-point shots by Davidson's guard Roderick Geter, followed by Ravon Dunbar from Roxbury. With less then 10 minutes left of the first half, Roxbury led by only a few points. The Tigers pulled ahead after consecutive shots drained by freshman guard Ravon Dunbar. Roderick Geter of The Storm hit two consecutive three-point shots to make it a 2-point game with less then two minutes left in the first half. The half ended with Roxbury leading, 38-37.

In the second half, the leading team swapped back and forth as both teams tried to pull ahead of one another. With 10 minutes left, Roxbury was trailing by one. The two teams continued to fight to gain the lead. Zwelky Cruz of Roxbury and Kimani Hunt of Davidson contributed three-point shots for their teams with less than five minutes remaining and the score tied. The game ended with the Roxbury winning 81-78. Roxbury will play March 12 at 8 p.m.; Davidson will play in the consolation round at 3 p.m.

Game 3
Roxbury Community College, Mass. (81)
Ulysse 0-2 2-2 2; Cruz 6-10 1-2 14; Cannon 4-15 3-7 12; Amado 1-5 0-0 2; Young 7-10 3-4 17; Martin 1-2 1-3 3; Dunbar 10-23 5-8 28; Lewis 1-2 0-0 3. Total 30-72 15-26 81.

Davidson County Community College, N.C. (78)
P. Williams 7-14 5-8 19, Geter 7-22 2-3 21, Potts 2-6 0-0 4, Rives 1-3 2-2 5, Glover 5-17 7-9 17, Z. Williams 4-8 1-2 9; Hunt 1-4 0-0 3. Total 27-75 17-24 78.

Halftime - Roxbury 38, Davidson 37.

Three-point goals - Roxbury (Cruz 1-3, Cannon 1-6, Dunbar 3-9, Lewis 1-2), Davidson (Geter 5-15, Rives 1-3, Hunt 1-2). Rebounds - Roxbury 51 (Martin, Dunbar 13), Davidson 48 (Hunt 12). Assists - Roxbury 18 (Cannon, Amado, Martin 3), Davidson 15 (P.Williams, Glover 5). Total Fouls - Roxbury 20, Davidson 19.

A-198


Davidson's Zack Williams looks to steal.

Roxbury's Rayvon Dunbar glides to rim.

Game 4 - 8 p.m.

Herkimer County Community College, N.Y. 71
Joliet Junior College, Ill. 87

Gameline: The forth game of the NJCAA Men's Division III Championship Tournament featured Joliet Junior College Wolves and the Herkimer County Community College Generals, both familiar to the tournament. Joliet opened up an early 10-point lead. Joliet continued to lead by shooting three-point goals and achieving rebounds. Joliet finished off the half with a 40 to 24 lead over Herkimer.

The two teams traded baskets for the first ten minutes. Brian Bradley of the Wolves and the Generals' Akeem Ellis contributed points for their teams. With six minutes left, Joliet's lead was cut to five by the Wolves. With two minutes left in the half, Joliet extended its lead to 12 points due to a couple of crucial free throws. The score ended 87-71 in favor of Joliet.

Game 4
Herkimer County Community College, N.Y. (71)
Ellis 10-19 9-11 33; Baldwin2-9 3-3 8; Floyd 2-5 0-1 5; Brown 2-11 0-0 5; German 3-7 0-0 8; Thomas 2-9 2-4 6; Austin-Michaud 1-5 4-6 6. Total 22-68 18-25 71.

Joliet Junior College, Ill. (87)
Bradley 6-17 4-5 20; Pierce 2-7 0-1 5; Reed 5-9 3-4 15; Devine 5-9 0-0 14; Supergan 0-5 3-4 3; Bartlett 12-21 2-3 29; Champman 0-1 1-2 1. Total 30-71 12-19 87.

Halftime - Herkimer 24, Joliet 40.

Three-point goals - Herkimer (Ellis 4-8, Baldwin 1-8, Floyd 1-3, Brown 1-4, German 2-4), Joliet (Bradley 4-11, Pierce 1-3, Reed 2-3, Devine 4-6, Bartlett 3-5). Fouled out - Herkimer (Austin-Michaud). Rebounds - Herkimer 51 (Austin-Michaud 15), Joliet 45 (Bartlett 15). Assists - Herkimer 12 (Austin-Michaud 6), Joliet 16 (Bradley, Reed 4). Total Fouls - Herkimer 17, Joliet 17.

A-485

Herkimer's Jerome Floyd looks for the shot.

Joliet's Brian Bradley drives the lane.

March 12th Schedule:
Game 5 (1pm): Mountain View vs. Sullivan
Game 6 (3pm): Davidson vs. Herkimer
Game 7 (6pm): Bergen vs. Rochester
Game 8 (8pm): Roxbury vs. Joliet

Official Touranment Website: www.championships-delhi.org

Live stats throughout the tournament will be available via CyberSports at:
http://www.cybersportsusa.com/tourney.asp?tc_id=2245

Fans can also follow the tournament on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/NJCAA-Division-III-Mens-Basketball-Championship/335590493719?v=wall

District A (Region 1) - Pima Community College, Tucson, AZ (25-7)
The Pima CC Aztecs are coming into the NJCAA Division 2 National Tournament as the No. 5 seed. This will be their second straight trip to the tournament after finishing in 3^rd place just out of the championship game last year. Now, in 2010, they enter the tournament with hopes of making it a step further than their previous trip. They are led offensively by 6'2" sophomore Tia Morrison (All-Tournament Team 2009, Cat Power Player Award) who averages a double-double with 18.7 points and 11.6 rebounds per game.

District B (Regions 2,5,6,23) - Johnson County CC, Kan. (30-3)
Johnson County Community College began the year ranked No. 16 in the NJCAA Preseason Poll. Since then they have proven to many that they were underrated. Throughout the year they spent much of their time in the No. 5 position until the final week when they made the jump to No. 2. They enter the tournament with that same No.2 seed overall. This will be the Cavaliers seventh trip to the tournament since 2000 when they were crowned the national champions.

District C (Regions 3, 15, 21) - Monroe College, Bronx, NY (24-5)
Monroe College makes their first trip to the NJCAA Division 2 National Tournament since moving up from Division 3. The Mustangs are certainly no stranger to success having won two national titles at the division 3 level in 2006 and 2008. They enter the tournament with an offense that has the ability to light up a scoreboard, averaging an astonishing 87 points per game. The offense is led by 5'10 freshman Jessica Previlon who averages 13.3 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.

District D (Region 4a) - Kankakee Community College, Kankakee, IL (30-2)
Kankakee Community College entered the tournament this year as the No. 3 overall seed. During the regular season they jumped around in the top five, but finished the season at No. 4 in the NJCAA Poll. This will be Kankakee's 13^th trip to the tournament since 1992 and their fifth consecutive. The Cavaliers last national championship came in 1995. Kankakee's offense averages 83 points per game and has three players that average in double figures.

District E (Regions 9,11) - Kirkwood Community College, Iowa (34-1)
Kirkwood Community College is this year's team to beat as they enter the tournament with the No.1 overall seed. All season they've been considered one of the best and now they have the opportunity to prove why. The Eagles' one loss this season came at the hands of the giant killer, Illinois Central College, who also defeated the No. 3 seed Kankakee this season. Kirkwood is making their ninth consecutive appearance in the tournament and their 13^th appearance since 1995. They are looking to gain their fifth national championship and their third in the last four years. The Eagle's have a very spread out offense that can rain in points from anywhere or anyone on the floor and a defense that allows just 47 points per game.

District F (Regions 13, 16) - Bismarck State College, N.D. (25-6)
Bismarck State College finds themselves in the tournament for the fifth time since 1998. The Mystics defeated MCC Penn Valley 81-58 to advance into this year's tournament. Bismarck boasts a strong offense that's led by 5'10" freshman Kelsey Sigl with 21.5 points, 9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. Bismarck spent most of their time at the bottom of the poll this season but they enter the tournament in 2010 looking to make a splash.

District G (Region 12W) - Lake Michigan College, Benton Harbor, MI (26-5)
The Indians of Lake Michigan College defeated Grand Rapids CC by a score of 53-36 to enter their third NJCAA Division 2 National Tournament since 1997. The Indians leading scorer is 5'6" sophomore Tyeacia Warren averaging 15.3 points per game and second in assists with 3.8. Other offensive leaders are 5'7" freshman Miranda Strefling who averages 11.8 points per game, and 5'4" Katy Stuppy who averages 11.7 points per game and shoots 39 percent from beyond the arc.

District H (Region 12E) - Schoolcraft College, Livonia, MI (31-1)
Schoolcraft enters its third national tournament since 2001 with the No. 4 overall seed. After spending much of the season in the top spot, the Ocelots were bounced out after losing to Delta College on Feb. 11^th. They finished the season holding on to the No. 5 position in the NJCAA Poll. The Ocelots carry a powerful offense that averages 84 points per game with five players in double figures. On the other side of the ball, Schoolcraft's defense has held opponents to just 54 points per contest.

District I (Regions 10, 19) - Patrick Henry Community College, Martinsville, VA (20-0)
Patrick Henry Community College is welcomed in to their first ever NJCAA Division 2 National Tournament here in 2010. The Patriots finished the season with the No.8 spot in the NJCAA poll, and they enter the tournament as the No.7 overall seed. Their offense is powered by 5'10" sophomore Andrea Barbour who averages 23.8 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. The Patriots' offense has two other players averaging in double figures as well.

District J (Region 20) - Prince George's Community College, Largo, MD (19-6)*
Prince George's Community College enters just their second NJCAA Division 2 National Tournament, the first was in 2006. The Owls bring with them a very young team having nine freshmen and just four sophomores on the roster. The driving force behind Price George's offense is 5'7" freshman Asyja Smith, who averages 24.3 points per game and is second on the team with 7.4 assists per game. Second on the team in scoring is 5'5" freshman Brittany Hollins who averages 14.8 points per game, and leads in assists with an average of 3 per game.

*Prince George's is filling the vacated spot in the tournament by Baltimore City Community College (Md.)

District K (Region 4b) - Illinois Valley Community College, Oglesby, IL (27-5)
Illinois Valley Community College is another newcomer to the NJCAA Division 2 National Tournament. They enter their first tournament with a 27-5 record thus far, and a No. 8 seed overall in the tournament. Offensively, the Eagles are led by the play of 5'9" freshman Shannon Washington who averages 17.3 points, and 8.7 rebounds per game. 5'5" sophomore Virginia Trotter is second on the team in scoring with 12.5 points, and 3.5 rebounds per game.

District L (Region 24) - Parkland College, Champaign, IL (26-7)
Parkland College enters the tournament as the No. 6 team in the field of 12. To get here, the Cobras had to get through Division 2 powerhouse Illinois Central College. With a score of 83-64 they did just that and proved why they belong in this year's tournament. This is Parkland's second straight trip to the tournament and their third overall. The Cobras offense is powered by three players who are scoring in double figures, including leading scorer, sophomore Heather Pruemer who is averaging 14.6 points per game.

2010 NJCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship Seeding
Seed #1 - District E (Region 11) - Kirkwood Community College, Iowa (34-1)
Seed #2 - District B (Region 6) - Johnson County CC, Kan. (30-3)
Seed #3 - District D (Region 4a) - Kankakee Community College, Kankakee, IL (30-2)
Seed #4 - District H (Region 12E) - Schoolcraft College, Livonia, MI (31-1)
Seed #5 - District A (Region 1) - Pima Community College, Tucson, AZ (25-7)
Seed #6 - District L (Region 24) - Parkland College, Champaign, IL (26-7)
Seed #7 - District I (Region 10) - Patrick Henry Community College, Martinsville, VA (19-0)
Seed #8 - District K (Region 4b) - Illinois Valley Community College, Oglesby, IL (27-5)

1st Round Pairings, Wednesday, March 17th
Game 1 (12:00 noon) - Lake Michigan College vs. #8 Illinois Valley Community College
Game 2 (2:00 PM) - Bismarck State College vs. #5 Pima Community College
Game 3 (6:00 PM) - Monroe College vs. #6 Parkland College (#6 seed)
Game 4 (8:00 PM) - Baltimore City Community College vs. #7 Patrick Henry Community College

Thursday, March 18th Pairings
Game 5 (10:00 AM) - Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
Game 6 (Noon) - Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4
Game 7 (2:00 PM) - #1 Kirkwood Community College vs. Winner Game 1
Game 8 (4:00 PM) - #4 Schoolcraft College vs. Winner Game 2
Game 9 (6:30 PM) - #3 Kankakee Community College vs. Winner Game 3
Game 10 (8:30 PM) - #2 Johnson County Community College vs. Winner Game 4

District C (Region 3,12,15,20) - Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY (20-5)
Monroe Community College enters into the tournament with a 20-5 record. The Tribunes defeated Vincennes University 83-69, to advance to the national tournament. This is the Tribunes fourth straight trip to the tournament and they have their sight set on winning a second National Championship. Their first title came in 2006. They come in with an offense that averages 78 points per game and a defense that allows just 57 points per game.

District D (Region 4,13) - Williston State College, Williston, ND (17-14)
Williston State College enters into their first ever national tournament at the expense of Highland CC by defeating them in an overtime thriller with a final score of 71-66. The Tetons currently hold a record that's three games above .500 at 17-14. Christine Miller is their offensive leader after averaging just less than 17 points per game and eight rebounds per game.

District E (Region 5) - Midland College, Midland, TX (30-3)
For the 5^th time since 1999, Midland College is back in the national tournament. The Chaparrals defeated South Plains College 68-59 to secure their spot. Midland finished the season as the No. 4 team in the country according to the NJCAA Top 10 poll and they are ready to climb that mountain and try and achieve the goal of winning a national championship. With just one player averaging in double figures for scoring, the Chaparrals spread the ball around well and can frustrate defenses.

District F (Region 6) - Labette CC, Parsons, KS (31-3)
Labette CC is in uncharted waters. With a current record of 31-3 the Cardinals have made it to their first ever national tournament with the chance to be the first women's sports team from Labette to bring home a national championship. Labette defeated year-long top 20 team Seward County CC 54-49, to advance to the tournament. The Cardinals have many role players as their scoring leader is 5'10" freshman Satoria Bell with 19 points per game, 6'1" sophomore Kellindra Zackery leading in rebounds averaging 9 per game, and 5'7" freshman Jasmine Smith who has 97 assists this year.

District G (Region 7) - Walters State Community College, Morristown, TN (25-2)
The Senators of Walters State CC are in the national tournament for the eighth time since 1992 and the fourth consecutive year. The Senators have the opportunity to bring home the first ever women's sports national championship in school history. They are here with a 25-2 record, with their last win coming against Volunteer State Community College 62-48. Volunteer State was one of two teams to beat Walters State during the regular season but they came up short in the Region 7 championship game. The Senators have a diverse offensive look as many of their player's average significant amounts of points per game including leading scorer, sophomore Patrice Talley who averages 11.5 points per contest.

District H (Region 8) - Gulf Coast Community College, Panama City, FL (28-1)
Gulf Coast Community College makes their seventh overall tournament appearance and tries to capture a third National Championship in the last eight years. Most recently, the Commodores defeated Tallahassee CC in a close contest with a score of 54-51. Gulf Coast has handled their opponents all year with the exception of one game against the No. 3 team at the time, Pensacola JC, where the No. 1 Commodores were upset 68-64. Gulf Coast is led offensively by 5'8" sophomore Andrea Smith, who averages 17 points per game.

District I (Region 9) - Casper College, Wyo. (31-3)
Casper College makes their seventh appearance in the national tournament since 1992 after defeating Otero Junior College (Colo.), 72-56, in the Region 9 championship. The Thunderbirds broke into the NJCAA Top 25 in early January but were never able to get past the No. 16 spot. They have an offense that averages 77 points per game and three players that average in double figures. Freshman Lindsey Fearing is a real threat from outside as she shoots 44 percent from beyond the arc.

District J (Region 10,17) - South Georgia Technical College, Americus, GA (27-6)
South Georgia Technical College advances to the national tournament for the first time after defeating Guilford Tech 64-52. The Jets offense has the ability to put up points as they average 71 points per game, but it's their stingy defense that is impressive as they only allow an average of 49 points per game. The Jets offense is led by 5'10" sophomore Deatric Smith who averages 17 points per game, and 5'10" freshman Ophelia McMath with 15.5 points and 12 rebounds per game.

District K (Region 11,16) - Jefferson College, Hillsboro, MO (29-1)
Jefferson College finished the regular season in the NJCAA Top 10 Poll in the No. 1 spot. The Vikings defeated State Fair CC 89-75 to advance to the national tournament. Making their sixth appearance in the national tournament since 1991, and their fourth consecutive trip, the Vikings are looking to bring home the first national championship for women's sports in school history and avenge the bitter loss they suffered to Central Arizona College in the national championship game last year. In early November, Jefferson had a hiccup against Tallahassee when they took their first and only loss of the season by a score of 64-44. Jefferson's offense has steamrolled over their opponents all year averaging 80 points per game with five players in double figures.

District L (Region 14) - Trinity Valley Community College, Texas (28-5)
Trinity Valley Community College finished the regular season holding on to the No. 9 spot in the NJCAA Top 10 Poll. To advance, and make their 12^th appearance in the national tournament since 1994, they defeated Tyler Junior College in the Region 14 championship by a score of 88-71. Their offense boasts five players who average in double figures. They are led by 6'2" sophomore Gloria Brown who averages a double-double with 19 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.

District M (Region 18) - North Idaho College, Coeur d'Alene, ID (26-6)
North Idaho College broke into the NJCAA Top 20 Poll in early November and finished the season holding on to the No. 16 spot. In just their third national tournament appearance in school history (1997, 1999), the Cardinals enter after defeating Salt Lake Community College by a score of 86-76. Their offense is led by the 6'2" freshman from Izmir, Turkey, Tugce Canitez who averages 15 points and 9 rebounds per game. Support comes from Coeur d'Alene native, 5'11" freshman Kama Griffitts who averages 14 points per game

District N (Region 22) - Shelton State Community College, Tuscaloosa, AL (19-12)
Shelton State Community College makes its fifth consecutive appearance in the tournament after defeating Northwest Shoals Community College (Ala.) in a close game with a final score of 66-63. The Buccaneers enter as a relatively unknown into this year's tournament after not being able to break into the polls during the season. They have three players averaging in double figures in scoring and a three point threat in 6' sophomore Alex Salomonsky who is shooting 42 percent from that range.

District O (Region 23) - Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Wesson, MS (28-1)
Copiah-Lincoln Community College finished the regular season in the No. 3 spot nationally. This is their fifth trip to the tournament since 1993, and they are looking to prove why they are a top contender for the national championship. To get to the tournament, Copiah-Lincoln went through Baton Rouge in the Region 23 championship. They are led offensively by 5'8" sophomore Latoria Holder who averages 17 points and 4 assists per game.

District P (Region 24) - Lincoln Trail College, Robinson, IL (28-3)
Lincoln Trail College makes its first appearance in the NJCAA Division 1 National Tournament this season after defeating Southeastern Illinois College 73-69, in the Region 24 Championship. The Statesmen have been a mainstay in the Top 25 this year but have never been higher than No. 14. Their offense is led by 5'6" sophomore Lateidra Elliott who averages 18 points and 6 assists per game. 5'10" freshman Brittany Fisher is third on the team in scoring with 11 points and leads the team in rebounds with 5.8 per game. Lincoln's offense has averaged almost 20 points more than their opponents this season.

2010 NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship Seeds
Seed #1 - District K: Jefferson College, Mo. (29-1)
Seed #2 - District H: Gulf Coast Community College, Fla. (28-1)
Seed #3 - District E: Midland College, Texas (30-3)
Seed #4 - District A: Central Arizona College (29-2)
Seed #5 - District O: Copiah Lincoln Community College, Miss. (28-1)
Seed #6 - District B: Northern Oklahoma College - Enid (31-1)
Seed #7 - District M: North Idaho College (26-6)
Seed #8 - District L: Trinity Valley Community College, Texas (28-5)
Seed #9 - District G: Walters State Community College, Tenn. (25-2)
Seed #10 - District C: Monroe Community College, N.Y. (20-5)
Seed #11 - District F: Labette Community College, Kan. (31-3)
Seed #12 - District I: Casper College, Wyo. (31-3)
Seed #13 - District P: Lincoln Trail College, IL (28-3)
Seed #14 - District N: Shelton State Community College, Ala. (19-12)
Seed #15 - District J: South Georgia Technical College (28-5)
Seed #16 - District D: Williston State College, ND (17-14)

March 16, 2010 - First Round Pairings
Game 1 (10:00 AM) - Midland College vs. Shelton State Community College
Game 2 (6:15 PM) - Northern Oklahoma College-Enid vs. Labette Community College
Game 3 (Noon) - North Idaho College vs. Monroe Community College
Game 4 (2:00 PM) - Gulf Coast Community College vs. South Georgia Technical College
Game 5 (4:00 PM) - Jefferson College vs. Williston State College
Game 6 (8:15 PM) - Trinity Valley Community College vs. Walters State Community College

March 17, 2010
Game 7 (Noon) - Copiah-Lincoln Community College vs. Casper College
Game 8 (2:00 PM) - Central Arizona College vs. Lincoln Trail College

District 2: Connors State College, Okla. (30-2)
The Cowboys of Connors State, ranked fourth in the final NJCAA regular season poll, clinched its second-straight tournament berth, and 10^th overall, on March 7 when they defeated Seminole State (Okla.) 81-70 in the District 2/Region 2 Championship. C.J. Washington led the Pokes with 18 points and 20 rebounds in the victory. Connors State enters the tournament with a 12 game winning streak and will be going for its second national title (1990). The Cowboys finished fourth at last year's tournament.

The Cowboys will face Walters State (Tenn.) in the first round.

Connors State players to watch - C.J. Washington (19.0 ppg, 12.4 rpg - 4^th in NJCAA, 1.3 steals/game); Mark Rutledge (13.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg); Jarvis Garner (9.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg)

District 3: Monroe College, N.Y. (26-7)
Monroe had no problem with No. 3 Harcum (Pa.) in the District 3 semifinals on March 6 as the Mustangs defeated the Bears 102-69. Monroe then took down Vincennes (Ind.) in the title game 78-68. Jeriel Henriquez led the team with 16 points while Tyrone Nared posted a double-double (14 points and 12 rebounds). The Mustangs will be making their third trip to Hutchinson and their first since 2006.

Monroe will face Three Rivers (Mo.) in the first round.

Monroe players to watch - Jeriel Henriquez (14.3 ppg, 4.8 rbg, 4.9 apg); A.J. Mathews (14.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg); Paul Scotland (13.2 ppg, 2.8 rbg, 4.6 apg)

District 4: Three Rivers Community College, Mo. (26-6)
NJCAA Hall of Fame basketball coach Gene Bess guided his Three Rivers team to a 90-75 win over Kankakee (Ill.) in the District 4 title game on March 9. It was the 1,400 game Bess has coached at Three Rivers and the win gave the program their 16^th berth to the tournament - which is a record for most appearances by one coach and sixth most for a college. The Raiders have two national championships in their history (1979, 1982) and last appeared in the tournament in 2008. Three Rivers qualified for the District 4 title game by winning the Region 16 Championship with a 74-59 victory over Moberly Area (Mo.) on March 6.

Three Rivers will face Monroe (N.Y.) in the first round.

Three Rivers players to watch: Marquise Carter (17.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 5.5 apg - 23^rd in NJCAA); Nick Niemczyk (12.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.2 apg); Josh Terry (12.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.5 apg)

District 5: Howard College, Texas (29-2)
Much of the attention in Region 5 all season had been given to Midland (Texas), which held in the No. 1 ranking in all but one NJCAA basketball poll this season. However, Howard got a lot of respect once they handed Midland their first loss of the season back on Feb. 15. In the District 5/Region 5 title game on March 7, Howard won the third and final contest between the two schools for this season with a 76-66 defeat of the Chaparrals. Howard's Joe Bright and Jae Crowder led the team with 16 points each in the title game. The Hawks will now appear in Hutchinson for the seventh time in school history. Howard last advanced to the tournament in 2006 when they placed fifth. Howard enters the tournament ranked second in the nation in defense (57.2).

The Hawks will face Southeastern Illinois in the first round.

Howard players to watch - Jae Crowder (18.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.3 steals/game; 11 double-doubles this season); Josh Watkins (15.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.5 apg); Carlos Emory (11.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg)

District 6: Butler Community College, Kan. (29-5)
Located just 70 miles from Hutchinson in El Dorado, Kan., the Grizzlies of Butler, of any team in this year's field, should generate some big crowds in the Sports Arena. Butler clinched the District 6/Region 6 crown on March 8 with a 72-60 victory over Coffeyville (Kan.). Caleb Walker led the Grizzlies with 26 points, nine rebounds and two steals in the game. Butler was the top team from the Western Division while Coffeyville was the top team in the Eastern Division for the majority of the season. Butler was ranked 15^th in the final NJCAA DI Basketball Poll of the regular season. The national tournament berth is Butler's fifth in school history and its first since 1996. The school won the 1953 title as El Dorado Junior College.

The Grizzlies will face Wallace State - Hanceville (Ala.) in the first round.

Butler players to watch - Caleb Walker (16.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.5 apg); Anthony Cousin (11.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 4.4 apg); Dushawn Brooks (10.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg)

District 7: Walters State Community College, Tenn. (21-8)
Walters State let a double-digit lead in the second half against Southwest Tennessee slip away and needed an acrobatic shot at the buzzer from Marsallis Malone to win the District 7/Region 7 title 72-70 on March 7. Malone's shot bounced gently off the glass and rolled into the net, setting off a wild celebration. The win by the Senators, seeded fourth in their region tourney, sealed their fifth trip to Hutchinson since 2002. Trey Payne led the Senators with 20 points in the title game.

Walters State will face Connors State in the first round.

Walters State players to watch - Frederick Sturdivant (12.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg); Marsallis Malone (10.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg); Trey Pane (9.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 5.8 apg - 15^th in NJCAA)

District 8: Northwest Florida State College (28-3)
Fifth-ranked Northwest Florida State got revenge on its Panhandle Conference rival Tallahassee (Fla.) in the District 8/Region 8 title game by defeating the Eagles 68-50 on March 6. The Raiders dominated in every aspect, especially on defense where they limited Tallahassee to just 22.9 percent shooting from the field. Brian Bryant and Brandon Crawford led NFSC with 18 points each. Formerly known as Okaloosa-Walton College, Northwest Florida State will be making its fourth trip to Hutchinson and the first since 2003. The Raiders won the 1995 national title.

Northwest Florida State will face Southeastern (Iowa) in the first round.

Northwest Florida State players to watch - Brian Bryant (20.5 ppg - 16^th in NJCAA, 9.5 rpg, 4.8 apg); Sherrard Brantley (14.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.2 apg); Toby Veal (11.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.6 apg)

District 9: North Platte Community College, Neb. (27-4)
22nd ranked North Platte secured its first-ever tournament berth on March 9 with a 69-65 win over Sheridan (Wyo.) in the District 9/Region 9 Championship. Joe Ragland led the Knights with 19 points and two steals in the game while Brenton Brown had 14 points. North Platte is led by Kevin O'Connor who is in his 25^th season as head coach. O'Connor eclipsed the 500 win mark this season.

North Platte will face Eastern Utah in the first round.

North Platte players to watch - Joseph Ragland (18.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg); Brenton Brown (13.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg); Chase Grabau (11.6 ppg, 7.8 apg).

District 10: Brunswick Community College, N.C. (23-10)
Brunswick joins North Platte, East Mississippi and Wallace State as the only teams in this year's tourney field to be making their first appearance in Hutchinson. Brunswick defeated Clinton (S.C.) 78-72 in the District 10/Region 10 title game on March 6. Alan-Michael Thompson led Brunswick with 16 points in the championship game.

Brunswick will face East Mississippi in the first round.

Brunswick players to watch - Tyree Graham (17.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg); Alan Michael-Thompson (15.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg); Chris Smith (14.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg)

District 11: Southeastern Community College, Iowa (24-10)
No team had to work harder than Southeastern in order to get a golden ticket to Hutchinson this year for the tournament. On March 9 the Blackhawks needed three overtime periods to defeat Williston State 121-114. Southeastern climbed back from six-point deficits in both the second and third overtime periods. Steve Baker and Jeron Lee each had 22 points for the Blackhawks and Abby Ruple added 21. Southeastern qualified for the District 11 Championship by winning the Region 11 title. They won the first two of a three game Region 11 title series over Indian Hills (Iowa) on March 1 and 3 (53-49 and 62-60). Southeastern will be appearing in the tournament for the 17^th time - the fifth most for a school in tourney history. The last appearance for Southeastern was in 2004 when they won the title for the third time in five years.

Southeastern will play Northwest Florida State in the first round.

Southeastern players to watch - Norvell Arnold (16.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.0 apg); Steve Baker (13.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg); Jeron Lee (13.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg)

District 12: Wallace State Community College - Hanceville, Ala. (29-4)
A rematch of the 2009 District 12/Region 22 championship game took place on March 6 when Wallace State - Hanceville avenged last year's title loss to Shelton State (Ala.) by downing the Bucs 77-70 in overtime. The win secured the first Region 22 title for the Lions and their first ever berth to Hutchinson for the national tourney. L.A. Farmer led the Lions with 26 points in the game of which 19 came in the second half while Ricardo Hill and Gaither Hendrix each had 13. Wallace State-Hanceville was ranked No. 8 in the final regular season poll. The Lions enter the tournament ranked third in the NJCAA in defense (58.2).

The Lions will face Butler (Kan.) in the first round.

Wallace State players to watch - L.A. Farmer (17.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.0 apg); Sergio Crow (11.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.0 apg); Darrick Thomas (10.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.2 apg)

District 13: Middle Georgia College (28-3)
The Warriors of Middle Georgia won District 13/Region 17 Championship on March 7 with a 92-89 double-overtime win over Coastal Georgia. The ninth-ranked Warriors will be heading to the tournament for the third time in school history, but its first since 1980. Carl Hall led the Warriors with a double-double performance of 29 points and 12 rebounds in the win. Marcos Knight also had a double-double, hauling down 10 rebounds and scoring 29 points.

Middle Georgia will play Navarro in the first round.

Middle Georgia players to watch - Marcos Knight (19.0 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, 3.0 steals/game); Carl Hall (18.6 ppg, 11.2 rpg - 11^th in NJCAA); Kori Forge (17.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.6 apg)

District 14: Navarro College, Texas (28-5)
Navarro's Jantzen Carter scored 20 points, including five three-pointers, to help secure the Bulldogs' second consecutive District 14/Region 14 title, defeating Paris (Texas) 55-46 on March 8. The win marked the second straight year Navarro defeated Paris in the district/region title game. Carter led the Bulldogs with 20 points while Matt Pressey tallied 16 points. Navarro's only other appearance in the tournament was last season.

Navarro will face Middle Georgia in the first round.

District 15: East Mississippi Community College (26-5)
East Mississippi head coach Mark White and his 26-5 Lions are the District 15 representatives this season after claiming the District 15/Region 23 Championship last week. The 12th-ranked Lions knocked off Northeast Mississippi (86-79), Hinds (81-74 in OT) and Itawamba (78-64) on successive nights to secure the program's first trip to Hutchinson. A 20-year coaching veteran, EMCC's White will be making his third visit to Hutchinson for the tournament, though this year will mark his first duty as a head coach. He previously served as an assistant coach on North Idaho's team that placed fourth in the 1997 tournament, while also accompanying the Wabash Valley College (Ill.) club that went 1-2 in 1993. White also was a part of Mississippi State teams that made three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and an NIT semifinal-round showing during his five-year (2003-07) coaching stint with the Bulldogs.

East Mississippi will play Brunswick (N.C.) in the first round.

East Mississippi players to watch - CoCo Ware (20.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.2 apg); Deonte Alexander (12.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.5 apg)

District 16: Southeastern Illinois College (22-9)
Southeastern Illinois upset No. 16 Wabash Valley (Ill.) 79-67 on March 7 to win the District 16/Region 24 title. Issac McClure was one rebound short of a double-double, scoring 25 points and hauling in nine rebounds in the win. Charles Ashford and Troy Long both had 16 for the Falcons. SIC last appeared in Hutchinson in 2008. The 2010 tournament will be the fourth time the Falcons have participated in the event.

Southeastern Illinois will play Howard (Texas) in the first round.

Southeastern Illinois players to watch - Mamadou Seck (15.4 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 1.7 apg); Isaac McClure (13.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg); William Kirksey (12.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg)

First Round Match-Ups (pairings determined by blind draw)

March 16 - First Round Games

10:00 #5 Northwest Florida State (28-3) vs. Southeastern, Iowa (24-10)
12:00 Monroe College (26-7) vs. (RV) Three Rivers (27-6)
2:00 #12 East Mississippi (26-5) vs. Brunswick, N.C. (23-10)

4:30 (RV) Navarro (28-5) vs. #9 Middle Georgia (28-3)

6:30 #22 North Platte (28-4) vs. #25 Eastern Utah (24-9)

8:30 #8 Wallace State/Hanceville (29-4) vs. #15 Butler CC (29-5)

March 17 - First Round Games

11:00 Walters State (22-8) vs. #4 Connors State (30-2)

1:00 Southeastern Illinois (22-9) vs. #2 Howard, Tex. (29-2)

Complete bracket available at www.njcaabbtrny.org.

Division 1 Player of the Week

Brooks had a great week in which she helped the Butler CC Grizzlies earn a 6-1 record on the week. In a double header on March 4th against Allen County CC (Kan.), the sophomore hit a combined 5-for-8 with three runs, one double and two stolen bases.
On March 5th, she helped earn two wins over Frank Phillips College (Texas) by going 4-for-6 with four runs, one RBI, two walks and three stolen bases.
On March 6th, in a win over Labette CC (Kan.) she went 2-for-2 with one run, one RBI, one walk, and three stolen bases.
In the final double header of the week against Hutchinson CC (Kan.), the second baseman went 6-for-8 with three runs, three RBI's, and two stolen bases.

Division 1 Pitcher of the Week

Watson earns the pitcher of the week honors as she confounded opponents all week from within the circle. On March 4th, against N.C. Wesleyan, the freshman hurled a five inning no hitter where she gave up one run on four walks and struck out 12 batters.
In a double header against Stanly CC (N.C.) she threw 15 innings and only gave up three hits, two runs, eight walks, and struck out 21 while helping the Bulldogs to two more victories.
The next day in a double header against Surry CC (N.C.), the N.C. native delivered 16 innings giving up five hits, three runs with just one of them earned, five walks, and chalked up 28 strikeouts to help Pitt CC to yet another two wins.

Division 2 Player of the Week

Chavez has earned the Division 2 player of the week honor for helping Chandler-Gilbert to a 3-3 record last week. In a split double header against Paradise Valley (Ariz.), the sophomore went 5-for-8 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base.
Against Lake Michigan College, she yet again got five hits in eight at-bats with four runs, one double, one home run, four RBI's and three stolen bases to help earn two wins on the day for Chandler-Gilbert..
The next day against Eastern Arizona, the Coyotes struggled with two losses and Chavez went just a combined 1-for-6 with one stolen base.

Division 2 Pitcher of the Week

Sutton pitched brilliantly last week for LSU-Eunice. In a 4-3 victory over South West Community College the sophomore threw six innings giving up just one hit, and one earned run. Two days later, in a 4-1 win over No.7 Mississippi Gulf Coast, she threw a complete, six hit, one run game.
On March 7th, she capped off her week by throwing a seven inning no-hitter against Jones CC (Miss.) where she had just one walk and 11 strikeouts.
The Bengals are currently riding a 13 game winning streak.

Rochelle Davidson; Roane State Community College, Tenn.

Sport: Women's Basketball

GPA: 3.84 GPA

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Rochelle Davidson of Roane State Community College is this week's winner of the NJCAA Leaders for Life Student-Athlete of the Week Award.

Davidson, a native of Cookeville, Tenn., was the captain of Roane State's women's basketball team this past year and led the Raiderettes in rebounds (214) and steals (82) while also ranking third on the team in scoring (233 points).

Off the court, Davidson participates in the Imagination Library where she volunteers in local elementary schools reading to children. She also is a member of the American Legion and this year assisted in the Walnut Hill Drug Awareness Week in Harriman, Tenn. (location of Roane State)

Watch Davidson read to a local Harriman elementary school class

Davidson currently has a 3.84 GPA and is a member of RSCC Phi Thetta Kappa as well as the school's honors program and Dean's List.

She is on course to become and NJCAA Academic All-American and wants to pursue a degree in elementary education at a four-year institution while also continuing her basketball career.

About the NJCAA Leaders for Life Program

The NJCAA is proud to offer its member colleges leadership based training for coaches, staff and student athletes through the Leaders for Life Program (LLP). The purpose of LLP is to provide member colleges with the resources to develop leadership skills and promote sportsmanship. LLP is based upon the concept that two-year college athletics at its best can provide training and development for coaches and athletes to reach their potential as leaders, academicians, good citizens, and great athletes.

The main focus of the Leaders for Life Program is teaching leadership skills to promote sportsmanship. In an attempt to further promote LLP, the NJCAA will honor student-athletes that represent their school and community with integrity, responsibility and respect...thus putting themselves in a position to be Leaders for Life.

Selected student-athletes will be recognized on the NJCAA 360° show (www.njcaa.org/njcaa360.cfm) and on the NJCAA website (www.njcaa.org).

Previous NJCAA LLP - Student-Athlete Awards

9/16/2009
Kresta Rogers, Paradise Valley Community College (Ariz.), Women's Track & Field
Andy Hoffman, Chandler Gilbert Community College (Ariz.), Men's Soccer

9/23/2009
Jocelyn Fischer, Adirondack Community College (N.Y.), Women's Tennis
Chris Stephenson, North Country Community College (N.Y.), Men's Soccer

9/30/2009
Greg Govea, Cedar Valley College (Texas), Baseball
Megan Rozzi, South Mountain Community College, Softball
Katie Corbin, South Mountain Community College, Softball

10/7/2009
Carmela Garcia, Frank Phillips College (Texas), Women's Basketball
Bernard James, Tallahassee Community College, Men's Basketball

11/4/2009
Corrina Hoyt, Pratt Community College (Kan.), Women's Basketball

12/1/2009
Tim Huesca, Ancilla College (Ind.), Men's Soccer

1/12/2010
Amanda Fontenot, LSU Eunice (La.), Women's Basketball

1/20/2010
Adrian Forbes; Trinity Valley Community College (Texas), Men's Basketball

1/26/2010
Johnathon Render; Lawson State Community College, Ala., Baseball

2/3/2010
Elizabeth Bedwell, Harper College, Ill., Volleyball

2/17/2010
Stephanie Benninger, Kishwaukee College, Ill., Women's Basketball

2/24/2010
Jordan Bakley; Harper College, Ill., Wrestling

3/3/2010
Caroline Jepleting; New Mexico Junior College, Cross Country/Track

3/10/2010
Rochelle Davidson; Roane State Community College, Tenn., Women's Basketball

Division 1 Player of the Week

Bates helped the Roughriders earn a record of 4-2 last week. In a double-header against Labette CC (Kan.) the Roughriders went 1-1 as the sophomore hit a combined 3-for-8 with one double and one RBI.
In another double header on March 6th against Three Rivers CC (Mo.), the two position player (OF/1B) put on a hitting clinic as he hit a combined 7-for-7 with six runs, two doubles, two home runs, and an astounding eight RBI's.
The next day in yet another double header against Three Rivers CC, the Arkansas native hit for just a combined 1-for-7 with one run, one home run, one RBI, and one stolen base.
For the week, Bates hit .500 (11-22) with seven runs, three doubles, three home runs, 10 RBI's and one stolen base.

Division 1 Picher of the Week

Oberto earns the pitcher of the week honors for an outstanding performance against Northeastern JC (Colo.). The 6' sophomore from Broomfield, Colo. threw seven scoreless innings and gave up just one hit, one walk, and had nine strikeouts to help the Runnin' Lopes earn an 8-0 victory.

Division 2 Player of the Week

Gurley had a perfect week at the plate for the Northeast Mississippi CC Tigers. In a 6-1 win over Hinds JC (Miss.), the 2b/3b went 4-for-4 with one run, one RBI, and one stolen base. In a 4-0 win over Panola JC (Texas), Gurley went 3-for-3 with one run and one RBI. In the first 12 games of the freshman's college career he is hitting .500 (20-40).

Division 2 Pitcher of the Week

Pierce earns the pitcher of the week honor for claiming a 4-0 win over Mississippi Delta where he faced a minimum of 21 hitters in a seven inning game by throwing a no-hitter with seven strikeouts. The freshman has been outstanding for the Jones County JC Bobcats this year. He has a 0.72 ERA through 25 innings with 32 strikeouts. Opponents are only averaging a dismal .143 BA against him and he has only allowed 13 hits and just three walks.

For tournament updates, visit the SUNY Delhi site at www.championships-delhi.org and the NJCAA website at www.njcaa.org.

Live stats throughout the tournament will be available via CyberSports at:
http://www.cybersportsusa.com/tourney.asp?tc_id=2245

Fans can also follow the tournament on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/NJCAA-Division-III-Mens-Basketball-Championship/335590493719?v=wall

District Champions/National Tournament Qualifiers

District 1: Herkimer County Community College, N.Y. (31-2)

Entering the tournament off a double overtime thriller against Mohawk Valley, N.Y. (82-72), the Herkimer Generals look to continue their run of 31 straight wins and make a push to the DIII title. The Generals are making their first appearance in the tournament since 1991 when the Generals won the NJCAA Championship.

The Generals' success is predicated on depth and a stingy defense that leads the nation in scoring average (54 points per game). Coach Matt Lee likes to throw multiple looks and multiple players at his opponents. One of the leaders on defense is sophomore Rhamel Williams who averages 3.5 steals per game. On the other side of the ball, Herkimer looks to 6'6" sophomore forward Akeem Ellis for points (14 per game) and rebounds (10 per game). Sophomore guard Cliff Brown is another major contributor on offense, adding 13 points and 4 assists per contest.

District 2: Joliet Junior College, Ill. (25-5)

The No. 7 ranked Joliet Wolves punched their ticket to the tournament with an 84-70 win over Milwaukee Area Technical College, Wisc. in the Region 4/District 2 tournament. The Wolves have been to Delhi four times, runners-up in 2005 and 2008. According to Coach Joe Kuhn, Joliet's primary focus is defense and rebounding when the opportunity presents itself. Their size may be a factor-the Wolves field seven players over 6'4".

Leading the Wolves in height is 6'9" freshman center Jon Bartlett, who is averaging 16 points and 8 rebounds per game. The team's high scorer is Brian Bradley, a sophomore guard, who scores at 22.6 points (8^th in NJCAA DIII) and 4.8 rebounds per game. Bradley also has 88 makes beyond the three-point line this year, which is the sixth most in the nation.

District 3: Mountain View College, Texas (22-11)

After defeating 10^th ranked Eastfield College, Texas, for the fourth time this year, with the last two coming in the District 3 tournament, Mountain View is ready to crash the party and make a deep run for a championship. This Dallas based team comes with a balance attack with four players currently averaging double figures, including the team leading 19 points by Kevin Thomas, the nation's second best three-point shooter. Rashad Sample accounts for 14 points and 7 assists per game. On the inside, Mountain View looks to two 6'4" forwards, Jeffery Ayisirie and Kenny Domouchet, for their combined 24 points and 16 boards per game.

The aggressive play by the Lions has them averaging 89 points per game. Coach LeRoi C. Phillips, Jr. brings an experienced squad to Delhi in Mountain View's first-ever visit to the tournament. "Our players believe in themselves and their ability to win," said Phillips.

District 4: Rochester Community & Technical College, Minn. (23-5)

Rochester Community College enters the tournament after a big upset win over fifth-ranked Minneapolis CTC, Minn. (85-74). The Yellowjackets, led by veteran coach Brian LePlante, field eight players that average between 9-14 points per game, making it difficult for the opposition to key in on any one player. This offensive depth and balance, coupled with a hard-nosed defense, makes the Yellowjackets a real contender in this their fifth tournament appearance with a 23-5 record..

Among Rochester's stand-outs are guards Demetrius Williams (14 points, 6 rebounds per game) and Aubrey Rhodes (9 points per game). Rhodes, a freshman, is also shooting an impressive 80 percent from the free-throw line. Other key players include freshman guards David Fritsch, Joe Conway, and Shiron Williams.

District 5: Sullivan County Community College, N.Y. (31-1)

The highflying, second-ranked Sullivan County Generals enter the tournament after winning their 10^th straight game. Sullivan can bring the points with five different players averaging over 10 points. Moses Dayee hits three-pointers at a 43 percent mark while Terry Coleman accounts for 16 points and 9 assists per game. The combination of guard Gerarldo Fernandez and 6'4" forward Jason Givens provide Sullivan with nearly 24 points per contest.

Sullivan is no stranger to the NJCAA tournament, making its 10th appearance in the past 20 years. The Generals have won the National Championship four times-1992, 1995, 1996, and 2007. They defeated Fashion Institute of Technology 98-81 to earn their berth in the tournament. This year's squad brings an outstanding record to Delhi (31-1), including an undefeated mark in their own division. According to first-year coach Kevin DeVantier, the Generals like to run, using a pressing pressure defense to ignite their offense.

District 6: Bergen Community College, N.J. (32-0)

The top ranked Bergen Bulldogs are looking to become the sixth Division III team and the 11^th all-time NJCAA basketball team to finish the season without a single loss. Sullivan last accomplished this feat in 2007. Bergen was a Cinderella story last year when they finished third at the NJCAA tournament. They defeated rival Passaic (97-89) to win the Region 19 Championship and receive their bid for the tournament. This year, with an unblemished record (32-0), they are coming back a little wiser according to coach Sean Kelly. "We have a seasoned group in terms of the high level of competition we've played," said Coach Kelly. "And we know what to expect."

The Bulldogs are led by sophomore guard Jimmy Schmitt who is averaging 7 assists per game. Fellow guards David West and Derrick Ross are averaging 18 and 12 points per game respectively. While another guard, freshman Asmar Edwards (12 points per game) is a spark on both ends of the court. Inside, sophomore center Jayvon Beaty gives the Tigers both size and athleticism, contributing 14 points and 9 rebounds per contest. Forward Elgin Brown, who set the NJCAA tournament record with 27 rebounds last year, is back again, putting up 17 points and grabbing 13.5 rebounds per game.

District 7: Davidson County Community College, N.C. (29-4)

Davidson County won the Region 10/District 7 championship by defeating Montgomery College - Germantown, Md. 85-83, earning its first-ever NJCAA tournament bid. The Storm only plays eight players, but seven of them are scoring nine or more points per game. Third-year coach Matt Ridge sees this as an advantage, helping The Storm secure a 21-game winning streak.

Davidson's leading scorer is freshman guard Justin Glover at 19.3 points per game. Another guard, Roderick Geter, is scoring 15 points per game. On the interior, sophomore forward Phillip Williams is putting up 13 points per game and dishing out 5 assists, while fellow forward Kimani Hunt, a freshman, is scoring 13 points per game.

District 8: Roxbury Community College, Mass. (23-3)

Roxbury brings a talented squad and a 23-3 record into this year's tournament. It took a hard-fought victory (64-63) over a tough Gateway (Conn.) team to earn the Tigers' first berth since 2004. Second-year coach Kwami Green credits Roxbury's success to old-fashioned teamwork. "We're aggressive defenders and work to the best of our ability on offense," said Coach Green.

The Tigers are led by two 20-plus point scorers on offense. Forward Jeffery Cannon has 1,000 points in just two years of college basketball and is averaging 26 points per game - the most among any player in this year's tournament (No. 4 in NJCAA DIII), while teammate Ravon Dunbar, a freshman guard, is scoring at 24 points per game. Dunbar is the most all-rounded player on the Roxbury team according to his coach. Darnell Martin, a sophomore forward who was named the regional tournament MVP, is contributing 14 points per game while at the same time grabbing 13 rebounds and blocking 6 shots a game. Finally, the player Coach Green says really makes the Tigers go, sophomore guard Paris Amado, is leading the nation in assists.

Tournament Schedule - Opening Round (times local)
Game 1 1 p.m.
Mountain View College, Texas (22-11)
Bergen Community College, N.J. (32-0)

Game 2 3 p.m.
Rochester Community & Technical College, Minn. (23-5)
Sullivan County Community College, N.Y. (31-1) -

Game 3 6 p.m.
Davidson County Community College, N.C. (29-4)
Roxbury Community College, Mass. (23-3)

Game 4 8 p.m.
Joliet Junior College, Ill. (25-5)
Herkimer County Community College, N.Y. (31-2)

Erie was the first to strike, as Todd Lyness (North Tonawanda, North Tonawanda, NY) snuck one past the Jacks' goalie off of a beautiful feed by Ryan Vertino (Grand Island, Grand Island, NY) 25 seconds into the contest. After the quick Kats burst, Bottineau was able to settle in and fired shot after shot at Erie goalie, Bryan Kalcynski (Wheatfield Blades, Lancaster, NY). The Jacks finally connected on a Danny Urban (Edmonton, AB) shot with 2:50 remaining in the first period. Bottineau outshot Erie 16 to 4 in the first session.

In the second period, Erie began to even the shot total, but a Kats' crosschecking penalty gave Bottineau a power play opportunity and they took advantage quickly as Darcy Charrois (High Prairie, AB) broke the tie and gave the Jacks a 2-1 lead with 3:08 left in the second period. That score would hold up as Erie failed on a breakaway with under a minute remaining. The play did result in a hooking penalty on Bottineau. The Jacks killed off the penalty over the final 22 seconds of the game to win the 2010 NJCAA Ice Hockey National Championship. It is Bottineau's fourth title in as many years.

Bottineau Scoring:

Per. 1, Danny Urban (17:10) - 1^st assist - Dustin Meyer, 2^nd assist - Mark Henke

Per. 2, Darcy Charrois (16:52) - 1^st assist - Andrew Seeberg, 2^nd assist - Wayne Ferguson

Bottineau Goaltending:

Player Shots Saves GA Save% Min.

Joe Caruso 19 18 1 .947 60

Erie Scoring:

Per. 1, Todd Lyness (00:25) - 1^st assist - Ryan Vertino, 2^nd assist - Matt O'Brien

Erie Goaltending:

Player Shots Saves GA Save% Min.

Bryan Kalczynski 36 34 2 .944 60

All-Tournament Team:

F Dustin Myer (Bottineau) - MVP

F Cory Hume (Monroe)

F PJ Brown (Erie)

F Mark Henke (Bottineau)

F Danny Urban (Bottineau)

D Colby Rehak (Bottineau)

G Bryan Kalczynski (Erie)

Qualls lands honors for 2nd consecutive year

The Vincennes Blazer Bowlers came from behind Saturday to claim the 2010 NJCAA Bowling National Championships at AMF Thruway Lanes in Cheektowaga , NY .

The title was VU's 17th and third in a row.

VU won the event with a big second day. After the second five-man game on Friday, the Blazer Bowlers trailed Erie Community College by more than 100 pins. But a huge third game vaulted by VU and Hudson Valley past Erie to take over the top spots going into Saturday's action.

VU turned in the best five-man total of 6,778 pins to win the crown, pulling away. The Blazer Bowlers' total of 693 in the first set of Baker competition pushed them 700 pins ahead with six games remaining. VU finished with a total of 15,088 to edge runner-up Hudson Valley 's 14,343 pins. Erie was third with 14,161.

Sophomore Gerod Qualls set an NJCAA record with an 826 set Saturday morning. The All-American had games of 269, 279 and 278. He earned the Helmer Award as the all-events champion for the second consecutive year.

Qualls edged teammate Jack Sullivan by 56 pins.

By Don Lockwood, Erie Sports Information Director


2010 NJCAA Women's Bowling Champions Hudson Valley Community College, N.Y.


2010 NJCAA Men's Bowling Champions Vincennes University, Ind.

Vincennes University and Hudson Valley Community College claimed the Men's and Women's NJCAA Bowling National Championships Saturday afternoon at AMF Thruway Lanes in Cheektowaga, NY.

Vincennes claimed the school's 17^th NJCAA title with a big second day. Hudson Valley won their second title.

After the second five-man game on Friday, Vincennes trailed host Erie Community College by over 100 pins. With a huge third game, Vincennes and Hudson Valley both passed Erie to take over the top two spots heading into Saturday.

Vincennes had the best five-man total of 6,778 to run away with the title. Their total of 693 in the first set of Baker competition pushed them 700 pins ahead with six games remaining, leaving the competition for second place.

Hudson Valley claimed the runner-up spot in the men's event, holding off Erie.

Vincennes finished with a total of 15,088, edging the runner-up Hudson Valley squad who finished with 14,343. Erie Community College finished third with 14,161.

Vincennes total was paced by sophomore Gerod Qualls. Qualls set an NJCAA record with an 826 set Saturday morning with games of 269, 279, and 278. He won the Kerm Helmer Award as the All-Events champion for the second-straight year.

Qualls edged teammate Jack Sullivan by 56 pins.

In the women's event, the Hudson Valley Lady Vikings led wire-to-wire. They dominated in the singles and double events with a total of 6,150. They held a 413 pin lead heading into the five-man team event.

The Lady Vikings pulled away on Saturday morning, with sophomore Devan Hodlik leading the way. Hodlik won the All-Events competition with a total of 2,542. She averaged 211.8 to win the Kerm Helmer award.

Erie Community College finished as the runner-up, totaling 11,381. They finished 653 pins behind the winning team.

Forward Elgin Brown, a preseason honorable mention All-American, helped lead the Bulldogs to the Region XIX crown.

But down 12 points with only six minutes remaining in the March 2 Region XIX championship game against rival Passaic County Community College at Lackawanna College in Scranton, P.A., the perfect season, the Region XIX title and a chance at a national championship were all in jeopardy.

Yet, Bergen coach Sean Kelly stayed calm.

"We've had to come from behind before," Kelly said. "We're comfortable in that position."

In the game's final minutes, the Bulldogs went on a furious run, eventually taking a five point lead. In a contest filled with twists, however, Passaic added one last wrinkle: a late rally to tie the game and force overtime.

Bergen ultimately outlasted their rival, won 97-89 and secured a second consecutive Region XIX crown.

"Passaic played a really tremendous game," Kelly said. "It was one of those games where no one should have lost."

Preseason honorable mention All-American Elgin Brown (of Jersey City) powered the Bulldogs in the win, scoring 23 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Bergen's standout first-year guards from Paterson, Asmar Edwards and David West, both scored 20 points.

The undefeated 32-0 Bulldogs, ranked No. 1 in the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III poll, reached the Region XIX championship game after receiving a first-round bye as the tournament's No. 1 seed and subsequently defeating Middlesex County College 89-66 in the February 28 semifinals.

The attention now turns to the 2010 NJCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship, an eight-team tournament March 11-13 in Delhi, N.Y., where the Bulldogs receive an automatic bid as region champions. Bergen finished third in last year's national tournament.

"This is where we have wanted to be all season long," Coach Kelly said. "It's not enough to just get to the championship, though. We want to make a run at the whole thing."

The Bulldogs tip-off the tournament March 11 at 1 p.m. against the Mountain View College Lions from Dallas, T.X. The Lions are 22-11 for the season.

As Kelly readies his club for the national tournament, he said they will try to maintain the same focus they have kept throughout the year.

"You can't look past anybody," he said. "You have to take it one day, one opponent at a time. We've done a good job with that this season."

Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu) based in Paramus is a public two-year coeducational college, enrolling nearly 17,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip J. Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields.

Caroline Jepleting; New Mexico Junior College

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Caroline Jepleting of New Mexico Junior College has earned the NJCAA Leaders for Life Student-Athlete of the Week honor.

Jepleting is a team leader for both the cross country and track & field teams at New Mexico Junior College and is always referred to as encouraging and supportive.

Jepleting is from Kosirai, Kenya where she attended the Kapkenda Girls High School before becoming a student at NMJC.

She spends some of her free time volunteering at high school cross country meets and at a local nursing home as an assistant to the activities director.

Her long list of athletic achievements include: three-time Indoor National Champion in the Distance Medley Relay, Mile, and the 1,000 M; four-time Indoor All-American in the Distance Medley Relay, Mile, 1,000 M and 4x400 Relay; three time outdoor All-American in the 800, 1,500, and 5,000; and the 2009 Cross Country National Champion.

While her list of accomplishments athletically is outstanding, she also has strong discipline in the classroom. The Kenya native is a member of the NMJC Fall 2009 Presidents Honor Roll (4.0 GPA) and is on course to earn NJCAA Academic All-American honors.

Outside of being a dominant runner and a driven individual academically, Jepleting is also very passionate about her faith as she is an active member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

When her time is up at NMJC, she plans to continue running competitively at a four year university and pursue a nursing degree. Once she has accomplished these things, her next course of action will be to go back to her home country of Kenya and use her degree to help.

About the NJCAA Leaders for Life Program

The NJCAA is proud to offer its member colleges leadership based training for coaches, staff and student athletes through the Leaders for Life Program (LLP). The purpose of LLP is to provide member colleges with the resources to develop leadership skills and promote sportsmanship. LLP is based upon the concept that two-year college athletics at its best can provide training and development for coaches and athletes to reach their potential as leaders, academicians, good citizens, and great athletes.

The main focus of the Leaders for Life Program is teaching leadership skills to promote sportsmanship. In an attempt to further promote LLP, the NJCAA will honor student-athletes that represent their school and community with integrity, responsibility and respect...thus putting themselves in a position to be Leaders for Life.

Selected student-athletes will be recognized on the NJCAA 360° show (www.njcaa.org/njcaa360.cfm) and on the NJCAA website (www.njcaa.org).

Previous NJCAA LLP - Student-Athlete Awards

9/16/2009
Kresta Rogers, Paradise Valley Community College (Ariz.), Women's Track & Field
Andy Hoffman, Chandler Gilbert Community College (Ariz.), Men's Soccer

9/23/2009
Jocelyn Fischer, Adirondack Community College (N.Y.), Women's Tennis
Chris Stephenson, North Country Community College (N.Y.), Men's Soccer

9/30/2009
Greg Govea, Cedar Valley College (Texas), Baseball
Megan Rozzi, South Mountain Community College, Softball
Katie Corbin, South Mountain Community College, Softball

10/7/2009
Carmela Garcia, Frank Phillips College (Texas), Women's Basketball
Bernard James, Tallahassee Community College, Men's Basketball

11/4/2009
Corrina Hoyt, Pratt Community College (Kan.), Women's Basketball

12/1/2009
Tim Huesca, Ancilla College (Ind.), Men's Soccer

1/12/2010
Amanda Fontenot, LSU Eunice (La.), Women's Basketball

1/20/2010
Adrian Forbes; Trinity Valley Community College (Texas), Men's Basketball

1/26/2010
Johnathon Render; Lawson State Community College, Ala., Baseball

2/3/2010
Elizabeth Bedwell, Harper College, Ill., Volleyball

2/17/2010
Stephanie Benninger, Kishwaukee College, Ill., Women's Basketball

2/24/2010
Jordan Bakley; Harper College, Ill., Wrestling

3/1/2010
Caroline Jepleting; New Mexico Junior College, Cross Country/Track

Formed in 1978, the Hall of Fame recognizes the accomplishments of Beaver athletes who excelled in competition while at Bemidji State and contributed to their chosen professions following graduation. It also honors Bemidji State coaches who compiled stellar records and accomplishments at the University. Team awards were added in 2004 for squads that won conference, state or national titles.

The individual inductees were Rick Engh ‘73, Minneapolis, Minn.; Charlie Knott ‘74, Howard Lake, Minn.; Frank Kopetka ‘75, Rogers/Elk River, Minn.; Jean Musgjerd ‘85/'92, Rochester, Minn.; and Joel Otto, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

The 2010 class brought the total number of members in the Bemidji State University Athletic Hall of Fame to 170 former athletes, 13 coaches, 15 teams and one Alumni Coaching Achievement Award winner.

For more information about the Bemidji State University Athletic Hall of Fame, contact the BSU Alumni Association at (218) 755-3989.

Jean Musgjerd

Jean Musgjerd graduated from Bemidji State University in 1985 with a degree in physical education and health; she also earned a master's degree from the school in 1992. She played four years for the Bemidji State volleyball team, serving as team captain in 1983 and 1984. She was an All-Northern Sun Conference selection in 1983 and 1984, an NAIA All-District 13 honoree in 1982, 1983 and 1984 and Bemidji State's team Most Valuable Player in 1984. During her career she was named to all-tournament teams at the 1983 University of Minnesota, Duluth Halloween Tournament and the 1984 Wendy's Classic at North Dakota State.

Musgjerd received Bemidji State's Elsie Annis Award in 1984 and in 2000 was named one of the Top 30 female athletes in BSU history. She remains third on Bemidji State's career assists leaderboard with 3,558, and her 1982 total of 1,019 assists remains the 10th-highest single-season total in BSU history.

After graduating from Bemidji State, Musgjerd coached high school volleyball for two years before returning to Bemidji State to pursue her master's degree. During her return to BSU, she served as assistant volleyball coach and spent one year as the team's head coach in 1990, leading the Beavers to a 13-20 record.

In 1991, she moved to Rochester Community and Technical College to serve as an instructor and coach. She was Rochester's head volleyball coach for 16 seasons, winning two conference championships, one state title and twice qualifying for the National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament. She also is a two-time NJCAA Region 13 Coach of the Year in 1991 and 2000 and coached four All-America selections.

Musgjerd also became head softball coach at Rochester Community and Technical College in 1994. In her 17 years at the helm Musgjerd's teams have made 10 regional tournament appearances and qualified for three national tournaments. She is a three-time NJCAA's Region 13 Coach of the Year and has coached nine NJCAA All-America honorees.

In addition to her duties as head softball coach, Musgjerd is also women's athletic director at Rochester Community and Technical College and the women's director of the NJCAA's Region 13. She and her coaching staff were named the Regional Coaching Staff of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association in 2006, and in 2007 she was an assistant coach for Team USA at the World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

Musgjerd lives in Rochester, Minn.

Division I
Player of the Week
		Pineda helped NJCAA No. 1 Yavapai to two more wins last week as she hit well over .500 for the week. In a 9-0 win over Gateway CC, the sophomore went 2-for-3 with one run, one double. One home run and knocked in five RBI's. In the second win of the day over Gateway, she went 2-for-2 with two doubles and one run. For the week she hit an incredible .800 (4-5) with two runs, three doubles, one home run, and five RBI's.
Pitcher of the Week
		Landon threw a fabulous game against Gateway CC on Feb. 26. In the 17-0 shutout, the freshman threw five innings giving up no runs with no walks on one hit, with four strikeouts. Yavapai will have three double-headers coming up against Glendale CC, Pima CC, and Phoenix College.
Division II
Player of the Week
		Meyer helped her team to a 3-1 record last week as she hit for over .500 in the week. In a 7-1 win over Coffeyville CC the sophomore went1-for-3 with one run, one double and one RBI. In the second game of the double-header she went 2-for-3 with one run scored and two stolen bases in another 7-4 win. The next day against Labette she picked up right where she left off the day before going 2-for-3 with one RBI and one stolen base. In the second matchup of the day against Labette she went 2-for-4 with one run, with one double, one triple, one RBI and one stolen base. For the week she hit .540 (7-13) with three runs, two doubles, one triple, three RBI's and four stolen bases.
Pitcher of the Week
		Linert had a busy week in the circle for the Gauchos of Glendale CC. On Feb. 25, in an 11-10 extra-innings win over Phoenix College, the sophomore came in to get the save throwing just one inning and gave up no hits, no runs, no walks, and had one strikeout. In the second game of the day, she started in the circle against Phoenix College and threw a complete game shutout, giving up three hits with one walk and five strikeouts. Two days later in an 8-0 win over Scottsdale Community College, she threw five innings, giving up just one hit, two walks, and had six strikeouts. For the week she threw 12 scoreless innings, gave up just four hits, four walks, and struck out 12.

Wallace State's 3-2 victory over Chipola College on Sunday marked Clem's 500th career win with the softball program.

"I couldn't have done it without talented girls and Tracy Grindrod as my assistant," said Clem, who's in her 11th season with Wallace State. "The girls that we have make it easy for a coach to set record, and it is their hard work and dedication which makes my job so enjoyable.

"Wallace State is a dream job and the support that we get from the administration, faculty, staff and parents makes it all possible."

Among Clem's 500 victories, was a 2008 NJCAA National Championship, a NJCAA runner-up finish last season and five Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) tournament championships, including the last three titles.

Clem, an Athens native, has been named the ACCC Coach of the Year in eight of her first 10 seasons and holds a 500-134 career mark (.789 winning percentage).

Before inheriting the Wallace State post, Clem won two state championships at Arab High School (1989, 92) and started the softball program at Athens Middle School.

Wallace State (12-4) collected wins in Panama City over Lake Land College (Ill.), Chattanooga State TC, Enterprise-Ozark and Chipola.

Wallace State ace Kelsey Dennis tossed a four-hit shutout against Chattanooga State, striking out 13 in a 3-0 victory. Stephanie Needham supplied the offense with a homer and three RBIs.

Dennis tallied another complete-game victory in a 5-2 triumph over Lake Land College. Dennis struck out seven and allowed two runs on four hits.

Katie Pierce had a multiple-hit game against Lake Land, Summer Wilkerson and Chandler Orr each had a double and Saige Wright and Jessica Graves added singles. Needham, Graves and LaRae Womack contributed an RBI apiece.

Wallace State dropped games in the tournament to Southeastern CC (Iowa), Northwest Florida State College and Gulf Coast Community College (Fla.).

Wallace State plays its 2010 home opener Thursday vs. Indian Hills (Iowa) Community College beginning at 1 p.m.

The Lady Lions host their annual JUCO Tournament at Cullman's Heritage Park beginning Friday at 9:30 a.m.

For more information about Wallace State softball, visit wallacestate.edu or wscsoftball.com.

Jordan Bakley;

Sport: Wrestling
3.14 GPA

Jordan Bakley from Harper College (Ill.) has earned the NJCAA Leaders for Life Student-Athlete of the Week honor.

Bakley has been the captain of the Harper wrestling team the past two seasons and is on the Student Leadership Committee at the college, which regularly meets with the college president to discuss campus issues and student concerns.

The two-time NJCAA Wrestling Championship qualifier is very active in his church, participating in a group that helps parents and young children develop a strong foundation for success in all aspects of life. He also volunteers twice a month at a local soup kitchen that hands out meals to the homeless.

Bakley does not only show great leadership skills off the wrestling mat, but also in the classroom. He has a passion for mathematics and volunteers his time as a math mentor to a group of students from Carl Sandburg Jr. High. Bakley also helps tutor his Harper teammates in math and English.

On the mat this season, Bakeley won the Missouri Open as well as the Harper Open. He recently qualified for the 2010 NJCAA Wrestling Championships with a fourth place finish in the 174 pound weight class at the Central District Championships.

Bakley, the second Harper student-athlete to receive the LLP Student-Athlete of the Week Award this year, plans on majoring in mathematics upon transferring to a four-year institution and wants to become a math professor at the community college level.

About the NJCAA Leaders for Life Program

The NJCAA is proud to offer its member colleges leadership based training for coaches, staff and student athletes through the Leaders for Life Program (LLP). The purpose of LLP is to provide member colleges with the resources to develop leadership skills and promote sportsmanship. LLP is based upon the concept that two-year college athletics at its best can provide training and development for coaches and athletes to reach their potential as leaders, academicians, good citizens, and great athletes.

The main focus of the Leaders for Life Program is teaching leadership skills to promote sportsmanship. In an attempt to further promote LLP, the NJCAA will honor student-athletes that represent their school and community with integrity, responsibility and respect...thus putting themselves in a position to be Leaders for Life.

Selected student-athletes will be recognized on the NJCAA 360° show (www.njcaa.org/njcaa360.cfm) and on the NJCAA website (www.njcaa.org).



Previous NJCAA LLP - Student-Athlete Awards

9/16/2009
Kresta Rogers, Paradise Valley Community College (Ariz.), Women's Track & Field
Andy Hoffman, Chandler Gilbert Community College (Ariz.), Men's Soccer

9/23/2009
Jocelyn Fischer, Adirondack Community College (N.Y.), Women's Tennis
Chris Stephenson, North Country Community College (N.Y.), Men's Soccer

9/30/2009
Greg Govea, Cedar Valley College (Texas), Baseball
Megan Rozzi, South Mountain Community College, Softball
Katie Corbin, South Mountain Community College, Softball

10/7/2009
Carmela Garcia, Frank Phillips College (Texas), Women's Basketball
Bernard James, Tallahassee Community College, Men's Basketball

11/4/2009
Corrina Hoyt, Pratt Community College (Kan.), Women's Basketball

12/1/2009
Tim Huesca, Ancilla College (Ind.), Men's Soccer

1/12/2010
Amanda Fontenot, LSU Eunice (La.), Women's Basketball

1/20/2010
Adrian Forbes; Trinity Valley Community College (Texas), Men's Basketball

1/26/2010
Johnathon Render; Lawson State Community College, Ala., Baseball

2/3/2010
Elizabeth Bedwell, Harper College, Ill., Volleyball

2/17/2010
Stephanie Benninger, Kishwaukee College, Ill., Women's Basketball

2/24/2010
Jordan Bakley; Harper College, Ill., Wrestling

Division I
		Reaves, a 5'6"point guard from San Bernardino, Cali., had a stellar week for Neosho County and has earned the Division I Player of the Week honor. On Feb. 17, in a 93-81 win over Allen County Community College (Kan.), Reaves scored 30 points on 9-of-16 from the field, 0-for-2 from downtown, 12-of-15 from the charity stripe, and completed an unbelievable quadruple-double with 12 boards, 13 assists, and 10 steals. Three days later in a loss to Independence Community College (Kan.), the sophomore scored 34 points on 10-of-21 from the field, 3-of-8 from beyond the arc, 11-of-17 from the line, and completed a double-double by grabbing ten off the glass, with six assists, and seven steals. For the week she averaged 32 points per game on 51 percent from the field (19-37), 30 percent from downtown (3-10), 72 percent from the free throw line (23-32), and also averaged 11 rebounds (22), 9.5 asssists (19), and 8.5 steals (17).
Division II
		Banice, a 6' forward from Dover, Del., earns the Division II honor after helping the Spirit to a 2-1 record last week by posting three double-doubles. On Feb. 15, in a 64-57 win over Essex CC (N.J.), Banice scored 27 points on 11-of-14 shooting, and went 5-for-5 from the line. In that game she completed the double-double by grabbing 17 rebounds, with five steals and one block. Two days later, in a 75-31 win against County College of Morris (N.J.) , the sophomore scored 18 points on 8-of-11 from the field, 2-of-5 from the line, and also pulled down 14 off the glass with one assist, four steals, and one block. In a 56-84 loss to Harcum College (Pa.), Banice scored 16 points on 7-of-9 from the field, 2-of-3 from the free throw line, and worked hard down low to grab 18 rebounds, with two steals, and two blocks. For the week she averaged 20.3 points per game (61) on 76 percent from the field (26-34), 69 percent from the line (9-13), with an average of 16.3 rebounds (49), one assist, 3.67 steals (11), and 1.3 blocks (4).
Division III
		Murphy, a 5'4" guard from Bridgeport, Conn., is the Division III Player of the Week after helping Roxbury CC to winning the MCCAC Tournament. In the 78-32 win over Bunker Hill Community College (Mass.), Murphy scored 14 points on 60 percent from the field 6-10), 66 percent from downtown (2-3), and had one rebound, three assists, and five steals in just over 15 minutes of play. In the 81-45 win over Massasoit CC (Mass.) she scored 11 points on 4-of-7 from the field, 1-of-1 from beyond the arc, 0-for-1 from the line, with three rebounds, three assists, and frustrated her opponents with seven steals. For the tournament she averaged 12.5 (25) points per game on 58.8 percent from the field (10-17), and averaged two rebounds (4), three assists (6) and six steals (12).

According to the most recent issue of Baseball America, there are four NJCAA players in the College Top 100 list, two of whom are projected to go in the first round, and one, Bryce Harper, could be the first ever junior college player to be selected number one overall.

In Baseball America's early draft preview, Bryce Harper of the College of Southern Nevada is slated to be picked number one overall. Harper skipped his final two years of high school to get his G.E.D. to play college baseball so that he would be eligible for the upcoming 2010 MLB Draft. At just 17 years of age, Harper could become the youngest player ever to be drafted. Because of his age and all of the media attention that Harper has had, there are a number of critics who say that it's just too fast and too early. However, Harper has been playing at higher level for much of his life. If you've ever seen video of his swing at the 2009 International Power Showcase at Tropicana Field where he hit a 502ft bomb that banged off the back wall, you have to feel that there is something special about this kid. Just 12 games into the season so far, Harper is batting .362 with three home runs, and 15 RBI's for College of Southern Nevada.

LeVon Washington of Chipola College (Fla.), is the next standout on the list. This projected first-round player is ranked in Baseball America's College Top 100 at No. 13. Washington was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays last year but was unable to come to terms on a contract. The greatest asset Washington brings to a team is his speed which has been clocked at 6.2 in the 60-yard dash. After having surgery on his labrum before his senior season of high school, his arm has not quite been the same, but with all of the other skills this junior college player brings to the table he will certainly make a quick impact on whichever club he ends up with. Currently, Washington is batting .294 with two doubles and two RBI's after playing in just four games for the Indians this season.

Washington's teammate at Chipola JC, Jake Eliopoulos, comes in at No. 66 on the list and like Washington, was drafted 68^th overall last year by the Toronto Blue-Jays but decided on college instead. The 6'4", Canadian southpaw has a fastball that comes in around 90-92 and has good movement, but his breaking pitches have been said to need some work. Projected this year to be selected in the second or third round, Eliopoulos will certainly help Chipola improve upon their 27-18 record from 2009. After two starts this season, Eliopoulos holds a 4.05 ERA with nine strikeouts through 6.2 innings pitched.

Next on the list is Harper's teammate at Southern Nevada, sophomore Tyler Hanks. Hanks is a 6'2", 195 pound, right handed pitcher. He makes his appearance on the Top 100 list at No. 79. Hanks' fastball has been clocked at 94-97mph and can pull out a slider that comes in at 81-84mph. Hanks' draft status looks good and he will certainly add to an already stacked lineup for CSN. So far this year, after four appearances, Hanks holds a 0.00 ERA with seven strikeouts through 6.1 innings of work.

Baseball America also listed four other NJCAA players as potential draft steals this June. These top prospects in the JC ranks according to Baseball America include outfielder Jabari Blash of Miami-Dade College (Fla.), pitcher Burch Smith from Howard College (Texas), pitcher Miguel Pena of San Jacinto College (Texas), and pitcher Nathan Dorris from Rend Lake College (Ill.).

For more information on Baseball America's Top Prospect lists visit www.baseballamerica.com.

• Today - 50-man watch list released, shaped by USA Baseball officials, advisors and college SIDs
• Tuesday, June 1 - 30 semifinalists announced, selected by USA Baseball officials, semifinalist voting begins, voters to select five
• Friday, June 4 - Deadline for finalist votes, 5:00 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, June 8 - Five finalists announced, finalist voting begins, voters to select one
• Friday, June 18 - Deadline for winner votes, 5:00 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, July 13 - Golden Spikes Award presentation live at All-Star FanFest in Anaheim

The complete 2010 preseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List is as follows:

1. Chad Bettis, RHP, Junior, Texas Tech
2. Daniel Bibona, LHP, Senior, UC Irvine
3. Bryce Brentz, OF/RHP, Junior, Middle Tennessee
4. Michael Choice, OF, Junior, Texas-Arlington
5. Gerrit Cole, RHP, Sophomore, UCLA
6. Christian Colon, SS, Junior, Cal State Fullerton
7. Zack Cox, 3B/RHP, Sophomore, Arkansas
8. Todd Cunningham, OF, Junior, Jacksonville State
9. Blake Dean, 1B/OF, Senior, Louisiana State
10. Sam Dyson, RHP, Junior, South Carolina
11. Brett Eibner, RHP/OF, Junior, Arkansas
12. Micah Gibbs, C, Junior, Louisiana State
13. Sean Gilmartin, LHP, Sophomore, Florida State
14. Yasmani Grandal, C, Junior, Miami (Fla.)
15. Sonny Gray, RHP, Sophomore, Vanderbilt
16. Justin Grimm, RHP, Junior, Georgia
17. Jedd Gyorko, 2B/3B, Junior, West Virginia
18. Rick Hague, SS, Junior, Rice
19. Bryce Harper, C/3B/OF, Freshman, Southern Nevada
20. Cody Hawn, 1B, Junior, Tennessee
21. Chris Hernandez, LHP, Junior, Miami (Fla.)
22. Tyler Holt, OF, Junior, Florida State
23. Danny Hultzen, LHP/1B, Sophomore, Virginia
24. Kevin Jacob, RHP, Junior, Georgia Tech
25. Taylor Jungmann, RHP, Sophomore, Texas
26. Leon Landry, OF, Junior, Louisiana State
27. Deck McGuire, RHP, Junior, Georgia Tech
28. Hunter Morris, 1B/OF, Junior, Auburn
29. Jarrett Parker, OF, Junior, Virginia
30. Drew Pomeranz, LHP, Junior, Mississippi
31. Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, Junior, Louisiana State
32. Addison Reed, RHP, Junior, San Diego State
33. Anthony Rendon, 3B, Sophomore, Rice
34. Daniel Renken, RHP, Junior, Cal State Fullerton
35. Kyle Roller, 1B, Senior, East Carolina
36. Cameron Rupp, C, Junior, Texas
37. Chris Sale, LHP, Junior, Florida Gulf Coast
38. Jake Smith, 3B/RHP, Senior, Alabama
39. Josh Spence, LHP, Senior, Arizona State
40. Tony Thompson, 3B, Junior, Kansas
41. Preston Tucker, 1B, Sophomore, Florida
42. Kolbrin Vitek, 3B/RHP, Junior, Ball State
43. Austin Wates, OF, Junior, Virginia Tech
44. Cody Wheeler, LHP, Junior, Coastal Carolina
45. Ross Wilson, 2B/SS, Junior, Alabama
46. Alex Wimmers, RHP, Junior, Ohio State
47. Mickey Wiswall, 3B/1B, Junior, Boston College
48. Kolten Wong, 2B, Sophomore, Hawaii
49. Scott Woodward, 3B, Junior, Coastal Carolina
50. Brandon Workman, RHP, Junior, Texas


About the Golden Spikes Award
Since 1978, USA Baseball has honored the top amateur baseball player in the country with the Golden Spikes Award. Following the first ever presentation of the Award to Bob Horner of Arizona State, the Golden Spikes Award has been presented each year to the player who exhibits exceptional athletic ability and exemplary sportsmanship. The 2009 Golden Spikes Award winner was Stephen Strasburg of San Diego State. Past winners of this prestigious award include current Major League Baseball players such as David Price ('07), Tim Lincecum ('06), Alex Gordon ('05), Jered Weaver ('04), Rickie Weeks ('03), Khalil Greene ('02), Jason Jennings ('00), Pat Burrell ('98), J.D. Drew ('97), Mark Kotsay ('95), and Jason Varitek ('94). Former Major League stars that have captured the award include Robin Ventura ('88), Jim Abbott ('87), Will Clark ('85), Dave Magadan ('83), Terry Francona ('80), Tim Wallach ('79), and Bob Horner ('78). For more information, please visit GoldenSpikesAward.com.

About USA Baseball
USA Baseball is the National Governing Body of amateur baseball in the United States and is a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). The organization selects and trains the United States Olympic Baseball Team (and all other USA Baseball Professional Teams); the USA Baseball National Team (Collegiate); the USA Baseball 18U, 16U and 14U National Teams; and the USA Baseball Women's National Team, all of which participate in various international competitions each year. USA Baseball also presents the Golden Spikes Award annually to top player in college baseball. For more information, please visit USABaseball.com and GoldenSpikesAward.com. To receive monthly USA Baseball E-mail newsletters delivered straight to your inbox, please visit USABaseball.com and register for free in the upper right-hand corner of the homepage.

It was nearly a quarter-century ago that Whorton gave up high school basketball to become the head coach of the Lady Lions at the UA -Fort Smith (formerly Westark College). In the years that followed, he would become one of the most successful coaches ever in NJCAA women's basketball.

Whorton graduated high school from Hartford High School in Hartford, Ark. After graduation he attended Westark College before earning a bachelor's degree from the University of the Ozarks and eventually a master's degree from Arkansas Tech University.

In 1976, he was a young coach looking to get his start. Hector High School in Arkansas is where he would get his chance. Whorton coached just one year at Hector before moving on to Hoxie High School in 1977 where he would coach for just two seasons. In 1979, he became the assistant coach at Blytheville High School and remained there for just one year. In 1980 he found Subacio Academy, and became the head basketball coach of the boy's team for four seasons until 1984. From 1984-1986, he was the head coach for County Line High School in Branch, Arkansas.

Finally in 1986, Whorton found his home with the UA-Fort Smith Lady Lions as the third ever women's basketball head coach.

In his 23 seasons as a NJCAA coach, Whorton compiled a 538-195 win-loss record, and averaged 23 wins per season. In the first 10 years of the program's existence, the Lady Lions had eight losing seasons. The program changed immediately when coach Whorton came on the scene, and under his leadership they endured 21 winning seasons.

His triumphs with the Lady Lions include seven appearances in the NJCAA Championship Tournament (1994, 1995, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008). In 1994, they finished runner-up, took third in 2005 and 2008, fourth in 2004, and seventh in 1998 and 2006. From 2004-2006 his team won three consecutive NJCAA Region 2 titles in one of most competitive regions in the NJCAA. In 1995, all of his hard work and dedication came to an apex when the Lady Lions won the National Championship and finished the season with a perfect 35-0 record.

Whorton has been seen as a father figure, mentor, and friend to his players on and off the court. He has seen 12 of his player's earn NJCAA All-American status and three players-Kim Williams, Alisa Burras, and Gillian Goring- have gone on to play or are currently playing in the WNBA.

His superior coaching earned him the honor of being named NJCAA Region 2 Coach of the Year seven times, and in 1995 he received the NJCAA Outstanding Coach Award. In 2006, he was selected to coach in the NJCAA Women's Basketball All-Star game.

Outside of his coaching career at UA-Fort Smith, Whorton helps guide the next generation of basketball players by conducting basketball camps for local Boys and Girls Clubs as well as serving as a guest speaker at an array of different functions from coaching clinics to sports banquets.

In his 23 seasons as head coach at UA-Fort Smith, coach Whorton has done exactly what every coach sets out to do - build a winning program. He is second on the all-time list for wins in Region 2 behind fellow NJCAA Hall of Fame member and friend, Monte Madewell (Connors State College). Whorton is also sixth in the NJCAA record books for all-time wins among inactive NJCAA women's basketball coaches.

Wharton and his Lady Lions said goodbye to the NJCAA last year and are currently in their first season of competition in the NCAA Division II ranks as a member of the Heartland Conference.

Event Overview
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) is taking the national wrestling tournament to a new venue this year, moving the annual event to Des Moines, Iowa. Action begins next weekend, Friday, Feb. 26 and Saturday, Feb. 27, at Veterans Memorial Auditorium. The national tournament is hosted by all of the Iowa wrestling schools including Ellsworth Community College, Iowa Central, North Iowa Area Community College and Iowa Lakes Community College. Wrestling starts at 9:30 a.m. on Friday with two sessions as the top eight wrestlers at each weight will advance to Saturday. Finals begin at 7pm Saturday night. The event has been held in Rochester, MN, for the last 12 years.

This year promises to bring a lot of action to the state with its own Iowa Central Community College vying for their 5th consecutive team championship, coming off a big win as the west central district team champs earlier this month. Last year all the Iowa teams placed in the top ten. With a wealth of talent and numerous ranked wrestlers, this year's national tournament should give every team a shot at the stand. Other district champions include #3 Ranked Labette College who won the west central district, # 6 North Idaho who won the western district along with Harper College who won the central district; Nassau won in the eastern district and Niagara won eastern District II. Top challenging teams also include Meramec College ranked #2; Northwest Wyoming #4 and Clackamas at #5. Wrestlers will be competing in the tournament, representing over 40 junior colleges from across the country.

On Friday, session one begins at 9:30 a.m. with continuous wrestling throughout the day. The evening session begins at 6:30 p.m. wrestling starts on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with awards/finals will start at 6:30 p.m. Package weekend tickets are available for $35/adults and $25 for students and includes a program. Purchased individually, Friday's tickets are $10/adults and $8 for students for the day and $12/adults and $8/students for Friday evening and Saturday's first session. On Saturday evening, tickets are $15 for adults or $8 for students.

Weight by weight overview:

125
This weight class is packed with some very talented wrestlers but highlighted by returning National runner up Ricardo Gomez (20-8) from Nassau College along with returning All American Justin Purves from Highline. Joe Colon brings a 30-2 record and currently is ranked 1st from Iowa Central and just won the tough North Central District. Other wrestlers to watch are: Kyle McCrite from North Idaho who defeated Purves of Highline in the Western District finals; Meramec's #4 Sharky Slyter with a 21-8 record and title from the Central District along with Ellsworth's Robert Herrera (22-10) who is ranked 7th and finished second to Colon from Iowa Central in the district finals.

133
This class is loaded with six returning All Americans led by Tim Thurston (23-3) of Iowa Lakes who finished 2nd last year and is currently ranked 1st. Thurston won the North Central District title over Michael Garofalo of Iowa Central who is ranked 3rd. Other returning All-Americans include Rend Lake's Eric Ellington who placed 3rd and won the Central District. Aaron Smith from
Highline placed 4th last year, Omi Acosta from Waubonsee who placed 5th, Saul Gurrero from NW Wyoming who placed 7th and Labette's Donnie Curtis who took 8th in 2009.

141
A big surprise comes in at 141 pounds with number one ranked wrestler, Kodie Silverstri from Nassau (28-7), was knocked off at the region tournament by unranked wrestler Ryan Kemmerer of Gloucester. # 12 Brock Coutu (18-4) from NIACC won the North Central District when he beat Vinny Pisani of Iowa Central who placed 5th at last year's national tournament. McCade Ford from NW Wyoming comes in as the only other All-American who took 8th place honors last year. Eric Shedden from Alfred State won the Eastern 2 District and brings in a 15-5 record while #2 ranked Anthony Weerheim from Clackamas won the Western District.

149
Top ranked and returning National Champion Ganbayar Sanjaa of Colby comes in as the guy to beat. Victor DeJesus (18-6) of Iowa Lakes put himself in good position to vie for the title when he won the tough North Central District. Other returning All-Americans include #6 Raufeon Stots of Labette who placed 4th last year and #7Shay Shive from Niagara who placed 5th. Shive won the Eastern District and owns a 42-13 record. Jason Gray from Highline who is currently ranked 2nd won the western district title.

157
Highline's Marshall Giovannini, returning National runner-up from two years ago, was defeated at the district tournament by Terrence Williams of Clackamas. Williams is currently ranked 2nd in the nation. Ellsworth's Ruben Perez won the West Central District by impressive fashion. #6 Luke Roth from Harper comes in with a perfect 15-0 record and won the Central District. Lance Wade is also a contender from Nassau as he won the Eastern District. Other returning All-Americans include Rodney Dollar of Western Wyoming who placed 7th at 149 last season, Bryce Lumzy out of Lincoln College who placed 7th last year at 157 and Aaron Sandel from Stevens Tech who placed 8th in 2009.

165
This weight brings in two National runner-ups and a third place finisher from 2009. #1 Bekzod Abdurakhmonov from Colby Community College placed 2nd last year at 157, Iowa Central's Bradley Banks (14-1) placed 2nd at 174 and moves down a weight class, while Harper's #4 Mike Dace who is 17-3 and a returning all-American was 3rd two years ago. Anthony Slue who brings in a 19-7 record at Meramec defeated Dace in the district final. #5 Tony Mack from Mercyhurst brings in a 22-4 record and won the Eastern 2 District.

174
This is a wide open weight class that returns no All-Americans. Chad Wright from Labette comes in as the top ranked individual. #7 Kody Kersten (29-8) won the West Central district in impressive fashion with a 19-5 win in the finals. #8 Steve Vasquez from North Idaho won the Western District. #4 John Vogt from Meramec won the Central District and has compiled a 22-8
record while Jules Doliscar from Nassau owns a 25-12 record and won the Eastern District. Tony Lisek out of Jamestown College won the Eastern 2 District and has compiled a 19-7 record.

184
Returning national champion from two years ago, Deron Winn out of Meramec College returns to get another title and he will be challenged by two other returning All-Americans. #3 George Hargrove from Springfield Tech placed 2nd last year and #2 North Idaho's Celic Bell who is up a weight placed 3rd at 174 pounds in 2009. Other top ranked individuals include 5th ranked Nick Pica (18-2) from Iowa Central who dominated the North Central District and Brandon Jackson from Clackamas who is currently ranked 4th. . Derek Thompson from Labette placed 3rd at last year's National Tournament but was defeated by Ralph Major from Pratt in the region finals.

197
This weight returns four All Americans and a national champion. Devin Clark of Rochester Community College won the title at 184 last season but was defeated by Joshua Marsh (23-6) from NIACC in the regional semi finals by a score of 7-5. Marsh who placed 5th at HWT last season, went on to win the North Central District title as he defeated Carl Foreside of Iowa Central who was ranked 2nd by a score of 7-3. Other All-Americans who return are Kamron Jackson from North Idaho who placed 3rd at 184 and is coming off a region title win from the Western District and Caleb Kociemba from Clackamas who placed 5th at last year's national tournament. Mike Kukowski also brings in an impressive 14-2 record as he won the Central District title.

285
This weight returns two National runner ups with NW Wyoming's Landon Harris who placed 2nd last year at Hwt and Parker Brand from Rochester who is up a weight, placing 2nd at 197 in 2009. Brand was defeated in the regional final by Zach Rosol from NIACC (20-6) by a score of 5-0. #4 Robert McCovey who won the tough West District owns a win over Harris this season. Be sure to look for #2 Corey Anderson out of Lincoln College who won the West Central District and brings in a 33-6 record to this weight class.

The 21-year-old native of Eldoret, Kenya has accepted a full scholarship to the NCAA DI University of Arizona where he will train under Wildcats head coach James Li. The eighth-year coach's resume includes the recent addition of RLC's first Olympian, Boaz Lalang, and a long stretch training Bernard Lagat to NCAA DI championships while at Washington State University and as his current coach.

"I hate the cold," Sambu said softly with a smile that typically infects those he meets. "It's very warm there. It's like home."

While the southwestern weather will be a welcome change from southern Illinois winters, Sambu's decision to go with the Wildcats was all business, which happens to be his major.

"They have a good program and a good coach," he said.

"For a distance runner to get a scholarship that covers everything is saying a lot," RLC distance coach Eric Alberter said.

The scholarship is worth about $30,000. Arizona, along with all the other NCAA DI powerhouses who recruited Sambu, obviously see his stock rising beyond Rend Lake College. Sambu has been perfect so far as a Warrior. He has never lost a race on the national stage. His awards include back-to-back NJCAA DI cross country titles and championships in NJCAA DI outdoor 10k and 5k, and indoor 3k, 5k and mile run. He has already qualified in all his events for the national indoor tournament in a couple of weeks.


Stephen Sambu, a 21-year-old multi national cross country and track champ at Rend Lake College, signed his national letter of intent to NCAA DI University of Arizona. Sambu is a native of Eldoret, Kenya. He has never lost a national race in two seasons of cross country and one season of track at RLC. Joining him were friend Vickie Simpson and Warriors distance coach Eric Alberter.

He said southern Illinois grew on him. When he talks about the people and warm welcome he received there, it almost seems like running for one of the top junior college programs in the nation took second place to its setting - a small rural town in Jefferson County. One relationship he made was with Vickie Simpson, wife of RLC Trustee Bill Simpson. The couple have opened their home to many RLC athletes from abroad, particularly those from Kenya.

"I love him to death," she said of Sambu. "He is talented, dedicated ... and he is a success story because he has the right stuff going for him."

"She's been like my mom here," Sambu said. "I'm really, really happy and I can't wait to go, but I'm going to miss Rend Lake and this area. But I have to go."

Sambu was brought aboard by Brent McLain in 2008 and quickly excelled on the course by earning his first national cross crown, and off the course with a GPA above 3.0 in his first semester. McLain, who resigned from coaching at RLC in the fall, signed many international athletes over his 10-year tenure, including NJCAA record holder Lalang, who now runs for Adidas. A lot of credit goes to McLain's coaching and recruiting efforts toward making the RLC programs what they are today, the 23-year-old Alberter said.

"I knew that was one of the places he was looking at and that he went there on a visit," McLain said. "Stephen text me the other day to tell me that is where he decided to go. I'll be cheering for him."

"It was an honor to be asked to replace [McLain]," Alberter said. "I hope I can do the job up to his standard."

The bar has been set high. The cross country program has five titles, which is not only the most for one sport at the college, but is twice more than all other sports combined.

"Brent developed some great relationships over the last 10 years," Alberter said. "We hope to keep getting kids in and stay competitive. Schools from every major conference contact us to get people we have."

So what makes Sambu so good? He is already one of the best collegiate distance runners in the nation. Alberter says it's more than just being Kenyan.

"A lot of it is genetics. It's in his bones," Alberter said. "But even those who have a lot of talent won't become great runners unless they work hard at the little things to get better. As hard as he works, every day in practice, he is just going to get better and have a lot of success.

"He's also one of the nicest people I've met in my life. He is respectful, never complains and works hard in the classroom. A lot of that translates into cross country and track. If you work hard in one place, chances are you are going to work hard everywhere. He is a perfect example of that."

"Rend Lake is like my foundation," Sambu said. "I've had good coaching, good training and a good education at Rend Lake. [McLain] has developed me to run very good. He is a very good coach."

Regarding Li, Sambu said he is excited to start training with him and considers his long relationship with Lagat to be enough evidence of his quality as a coach. He said he will be training with "the best."

Sambu will not be able to train with Lalang and Lagat because of NCAA rules, but he will have plenty of opportunities to visit with Lalang. The two were friends back in Kenya and remain close today. Sambu said he met Lagat while visiting Arizona.

Sambu shares the dream of many runners - to one day run in the Olympics.

"I pray for that," he said.

Softball Division I Section

Softball Division II Section
2010 Committee, Poll & Procedures...2
2010 Natl., Regional & District Dates...2-3
2010 Preseason Poll...4
2010 District Predictions...4
2010 Top Returning Pitchers by District...5
2010 Top Returning Players by District...6
2009 Regional & District Playoffs Recap...7
2009 National Championship Recap...8
2009 All-Americans...9
Where Are They Now?...10
All-Time First Team All-Americans...11
All-Time National Champ. Participants...12
2010 DI Softball Programs by Region...13-14


Softball Division III Section
2010 Committee, Poll & Procedures...2
2010 Natl., Regional & District Dates...2-3
2009 Regional & District Playoffs Recap...3
2010 Preseason Poll...4
2010 District Predictions...4
2010 Top Returning Pitchers & Players by District...5
2009 National Championship Recap...6
2009 All-Americans...7
Where Are They Now?...8
All-Time First Team All-Americans...9
All-Time National Champ. Participants...10
2010 DI Softball Programs by Region...11

Stephanie Benninger, Kishwaukee College, Ill.

Sport: Women's Basketball
3.60 GPA

Stephanie Benninger from Kishwaukee College (Ill.) has earned the NJCAA Leaders for Life Student-Athlete of the Week honor.

Benninger is the sophomore captain of the women's basketball team at Kishwaukee College. On the court she is seen by her peers as a leader and a true role model. However, it's not only what she does on the court that makes this student-athlete a Leader for Life, it's how she helps off the court.

During off days from the team, Benninger will head home to Earlville, Ill., where she works as a volunteer coach for Earlville High School and helps run various basketball camps from the junior high to collegiate level. Aside from basketball, she mentors a local high school student who moved to Malta after her freshman year.

On the court, Benninger has shined for Kishwaukee College as her accomplishments include Arrowhead All-Conference Second Team, two-time Region 4 Player of the Week, and was voted Region 4Top Returner of the Year. To accompany these honors, she is currently the second leading scorer on the team and ranks third in assists.

The sophomore excels in the classroom, as she does on the court, maintaining a 3.6 GPA and is a three-time Dean's List recipient, Phi Theta Kappa member, and an Arrowhead Academic All-Conference Selection.

Benninger has received many NCAA Division I offers and wants pursue a degree in athletic training as well as continue her development on the basketball court.

Benninger's peers see her as a selfless person constantly puts the well-being of the team or others first. Whether it's tutoring fellow student athletes, playing any role to help the team win, or heading back to her hometown to provide a helping hand in her community, she exemplifies what it is to be an NJCAA Leader for Life.

About the NJCAA Leaders for Life Program

The NJCAA is proud to offer its member colleges leadership based training for coaches, staff and student athletes through the Leaders for Life Program (LLP). The purpose of LLP is to provide member colleges with the resources to develop leadership skills and promote sportsmanship. LLP is based upon the concept that two-year college athletics at its best can provide training and development for coaches and athletes to reach their potential as leaders, academicians, good citizens, and great athletes.

The main focus of the Leaders for Life Program is teaching leadership skills to promote sportsmanship. In an attempt to further promote LLP, the NJCAA will honor student-athletes that represent their school and community with integrity, responsibility and respect...thus putting themselves in a position to be Leaders for Life.

Selected student-athletes will be recognized on the NJCAA 360° show (www.njcaa.org/njcaa360.cfm) and on the NJCAA website (www.njcaa.org).

Previous NJCAA LLP - Student-Athlete Awards

9/16/2009
Kresta Rogers, Paradise Valley Community College (Ariz.), Women's Track & Field
Andy Hoffman, Chandler Gilbert Community College (Ariz.), Men's Soccer

9/23/2009
Jocelyn Fischer, Adirondack Community College (N.Y.), Women's Tennis
Chris Stephenson, North Country Community College (N.Y.), Men's Soccer

9/30/2009
Greg Govea, Cedar Valley College (Texas), Baseball
Megan Rozzi, South Mountain Community College, Softball
Katie Corbin, South Mountain Community College, Softball

10/7/2009
Carmela Garcia, Frank Phillips College (Texas), Women's Basketball
Bernard James, Tallahassee Community College, Men's Basketball

11/4/2009
Corrina Hoyt, Pratt Community College (Kan.), Women's Basketball

12/1/2009
Tim Huesca, Ancilla College (Ind.), Men's Soccer

1/12/2010
Amanda Fontenot, LSU Eunice (La.), Women's Basketball

1/20/2010
Adrian Forbes; Trinity Valley Community College (Texas), Men's Basketball

1/26/2010
Johnathon Render; Lawson State Community College, Ala., Baseball

2/3/2010
Elizabeth Bedwell, Harper College, Ill., Volleyball

2/17/2010
Stephanie Benninger, Kishwaukee College, Ill., Women's Basketball

North Iowa Area Community College student senate members and women's softball players collected over 700 pounds of clothing donations for their Haitian Earthquake Clothing Drive to support victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

"We know that the earthquake in Haiti affected so many people. We wanted to do our part to help in some small way and, hopefully, to get other people thinking about what they can do to help. We're happy to have led this effort," Tyler Sisco, NIACC director of student life and women's softball coach, said.

Once clothing donations were collected, the students sorted and packed the items for shipping. Cash donations were used for shipping costs as well as in-kind transportation donations from Dohrn Transfer.

"The tradition of featuring outstanding baseball figures to open our banquet continues with Dave Dravecky," stated Jamie Hamilton, Chairman of the NJCAA JUCO World Series.

Dravecky returned to pitch in 1989 after surgery to remove half of the deltoid muscle in his pitching arm because of cancer, which was discovered in the fall of 1988. He pitched a 4-3 victory in his return for the San Francisco Giants on Aug. 10, 1989, but five days later, in Montreal, his left arm shattered while throwing a pitch, ending his career. He retired in November of 1989. Despite several rounds of radiation, doctors eventually had to remove his left arm, shoulder blade and collar bone to prevent the spread of the cancer.

In his eight-year career with the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants, Dravecky compiled a 64-57 record and a 3.13 career earned-run average with 558 strikeouts. He made the All-Star team in 1983 with the Padres and pitched in the 1984 World Series for San Diego.

Dravecky wrote a book, Comeback, about his return to baseball, which sold more than 650,000 copies. After retiring, Dravecky and his wife, Jan, wrote When You Can't Comeback, in which he describes losing his arm. His third book, The Worth of a Man, examines the impact of the amputation on his life.

Dravecky, who turns 54 on Feb. 14, and his wife live in Colorado Springs and founded Dave Dravecky's Outreach of Hope, a nonprofit organization that ministers to cancer victims. "Dave's message will be perfect for the student-athletes of the NJCAA," Hamilton added.

The banquet begins with a social hour at 6 p.m. on May 28, 2010, at Two Rivers Convention Center, with dinner at 7 p.m. This year's NJCAA Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame inductees will be honored and the 10 qualifying teams and their coaches introduced. Tickets are $35 and will go on sale in April at the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce office. The 53rd annual NJCAA JUCO World Series is May 29-June 5 at Grand Junction's Suplizio Field.

www.jucogj.org

DoubleTree Hotel-World Arena

Colorado Springs, Colorado

March 24-27, 2010

WEDNESDAY, March 24, 2010

8:00-9:00 am Eligibility Committee

9:00-10:00 am Executive Committee

10:00-1:00 pm Championship Events Committee

10:00-11:00 Competitions Committee

12:30- 1:00 pm New Region Director Orientation

1:30-3:30 pm Opening Ceremonies

Report of the President

Report of the Executive Director

Preliminary Report of Championship Events Committee

Preliminary Report of Eligibility Committee

3:30-4:30 pm Meeting of all Committee Chairs

5:00 – 5:30 pm Coaches Association Presidents Meeting

THURSDAY, March 25, 2010

7:00-9:00 am Breakfast

8:30-10:00 am Finance and Budget Committee

9:00-10:00 am Lacrosse (Men) Committee

10:00-12:00 noon Half-Marathon Committee

Cross Country Committee

Track/Field Committee

10:00-12:00 noon Swimming and Diving Committee

12:00 noon-1 pm Luncheon

1:00-3:00 pm Basketball (Women) Committee-Joint Div. I-II-III

Basketball (Women) Committee - Division I

Basketball (Women) Committee - Division II

Basketball (Women) Committee - Division III

1:00-3:00 am Football Committee

3:00-5:00 pm Tennis (Joint) Committee

Tennis (Women) Committee

Tennis (Men) Committee

3:00-4:30 pm Wrestling Committee

Bowling Committee

Ice Hockey Committee

Health & Safety

6:00 pm Dinner

FRIDAY, March 26, 2010

7:00-9:00 am Breakfast

8:00-10:00 am Golf (Joint) Committee

Golf (Women) Committee

Golf (Men’s) Committee-Divisions I

Golf (Men’s) Committee-Division II

Golf (Men’s) Committee-Division III

8:00-10:00 am Lacrosse (Women) Committee

9:00-10:00 am Leaders for Life

10:00-12:00 noon Softball (Joint Div. I-III) Committee

Softball (Division I) Committee

Softball (Division II) Committee

Softball (Division III) Committee

10:00-12:00 noon Baseball (Men) Committee-Joint Div. I-II-III

Baseball (Men) Committee - Division I

Baseball (Men) Committee - Division II

Baseball (Men) Committee - Division III

12:00 noon Luncheon

1:30-3:30 pm Basketball (Men) Committee-Joint Div.I-II-III

Basketball (Men) Committee - Division I

Basketball (Men) Committee - Division II

Basketball (Men) Committee - Division III

1:30-3:30 pm Volleyball (Joint Div. I-III) Committee

Volleyball (Division I) Committee

Volleyball (Division II) Committee

Volleyball (Division III) Committee

3:30-5:30 pm Soccer (Joint) Committee

Soccer (Women) Committee-Division I

Soccer (Women) Committee-Division III

Soccer (Men) Committee-Division III

Soccer (Men) Committee-Division I

5:--5:45 pm Eligibility Committee

6:30 pm Dinner Reception

SATURDAY, March 27, 2010

7:00-9:00 am Breakfast

8:00-9:00 am Strategic Planning

9:00-10:00 am Standards and Ethics Committee

Nominations & Elections Committee

10:00-12:00 noon All-American Committee

Championship Events Committee

Districting Committee

12:00 noon Luncheon

2:00-3:30 pm General Session (W)

2:00-3:30 pm General Session (M)

3:30 pm* General Session (J)

*Or immediately following the adjournment of the Men’s and Women’s Division General Sessions.

5:00-6:00 pm Meeting of the New Executive Committee (2010-2011)

CARSON CITY - Western Nevada College's baseball and softball teams have yet to play a 2010 season game on their home fields, but they have already earned accolades on campus. Both groups of student athletes tallied team grade point averages of 3.0 (B) or better in their fall semester studies.

The WNC women's softball team, which just opened its second season, tallied a 3.22 cumulative grade point average in the fall term. The student athletes also completed 89 percent of their courses. Wildcats baseball players tallied a 3.12 fall team GPA and completed 96 percent of their courses.

WNC Dean of Student Services/Athletics Director John Kinkella said that the college's top priority for student athletes is high academic achievement. "We are delighted that both teams continued our unbroken streak of team grade point averages of 3.0 or above," he said.

Softball coach Leah Wentworth said, "We set the bar high in the beginning with a goal of being an Academic All-American team next spring, and our young ladies have really stepped up to the plate." Seven of 15 softball players held a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and four had a 3.8.

Baseball coach DJ Whittemore said his team made sacrifices and were dedicated to their studies last fall and "the rewards speak for themselves." Six players earned over a 3.75 GPA and two players earned a perfect 4.0.
Both coaches singled out the academic advisors to both teams, George McNulty and Kevin Burns, with being instrumental in the students' academic success.

Primavera was selected to travel to Malaga, Spain to compete in the World University Golf Championships June 7-11, 2010 at the Antequera Golf Club. Jennings, along with St. Ambrose University Head Golf Coach Jeff Griebel, were picked by the NJCAA and the NAIA to coach the men's team. The team of six golfers were selected by the two coaches based on individual record and national college ranking. Primavera finished runner-up at last year's NJCAA National Championship.

Primavera, a 2007 graduate of Mosley High School, had a remarkable freshman year at CACC, earning him top nods by the Alabama Sports Writers Association with the Community College "Athlete of the Year" award, as well as national recognition earning NJCAA D1 All-American First Team, PING All-American First Team, PING All-Region Player of the Year, and Southeast PING All-Region First Team honors. Primavera's 13 All-Tournament Team honors and 3 wins earned him CACC Trojan Golf Player of the Year. Primavera got off a strong start his sophomore year, earning 3 All-Tournament Team honors during the Fall season. Primavera added another All-Tournament Team honors when he began his Spring Golf season last week in Melbourne, Florida at the Titan Winter Invitational.

Primavera will be joined on the team by NJCAA golfers Kurt Slattery (Indian Hills CC) and Spencer Baldwin (Brevard CC) and NAIA representatives Dusty Drenth (St. Ambrose University), Justin Lower (Malone College) and Austin Conroy (Indiana Wesleyan).

Diana Thomason, the Women's Head Golf Coach at the University of Iowa and the head of the delegation for the USA National Team, will coach the women's team, made up of six NCAA Division I golfers.

The World University Golf Championships, sponsored by the International University Sports Federation, are held every two years. The 2008 event was held in South Africa. Team USA won the women's gold medal in a 13-country field while the Team USA men took fifth out of 14 countries. Japan won the gold, Spain took silver and Great Britain finished with the bronze.

More information on the World University Championships is available at www.wucgolf2010.com.

2010 World University Golf Championship USA National Team

Men's TEAM USA
Zach Primavera - Central Alabama Community College Spencer Baldwin - Brevard Community College (Fla.) Kurt Slattery - Indian Hills Community College (Iowa) Dusty Drenth - St. Ambrose University (Iowa) Justin Lower - Malone College (Ohio) Austin Conroy - Indiana Wesleyan University

Coach: Dave Jennings - Central Alabama Community College
Coach: Jeff Griebel - St. Ambrose University

Women's TEAM USA
Laura Anderson - University of Louisville (Ky.) Stefanie Kenoyer - Furman University (S.C.) Catherine O'Donnell - University of North Carolina Laura Kueny - Michigan State University Ashley Bauer - University of Michigan One player to be determined
Coach: Diana Thomason - University of Iowa

This marks the second time that a San Jacinto College soccer player has been selected for the national award. Dane Richards, now with the New York Red Bull, was the first SJC recipient in 2004. Coincidentally, both Campbell and Richards are graduates of Cornwall College in their home country.

Campbell was recruited to the SJC soccer team in 2008, the best season in school history with an 18-2-2 record. He lead the team in goals scored this year, scored the team's lone goal in the Region XIV championship game against Tyler Junior College, and closes his career with 11 goals and 11 assists. He also earned spots on the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-region team, the NSCAA All-region first team, the NSCAA All-American first team and earned the title of San Jac's MVP as a freshman.

"This is such a tremendous honor for me, a player from small country, to earn this award that so many great players were up for," Campbell said, adding how he follows a saying that his mother taught him and his five siblings. "My mother taught me to focus on one thing at a time, then move on to another; don't try and do everything at once."

Campbell plans on continuing his soccer career and finishing his education at a university, once he graduates from SJC this year, a goal his soccer coach Dr. David Santesteban often teaches his team.

"Edward is a hard worker, an explosive player and a great positive kid," said Santesteban, who serves as the Junior College Men's Chair for the NSCAA All-America Committee. "He plans on finishing his education, and I'm very proud of him for that. I tell him, if he can go back to his country with university degree, he'll definitely have an advantage."

For more information about San Jacinto College men's soccer, please visit www.sanjacsports.com.

San Jacinto College serves more than 27,000 students in more than 140 degrees and certificates in university transfer and technical programs. The College also serves the community through workforce training. Students come with various goals and aspirations and we are committed to their success. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

For more information about San Jacinto College, visit www.sanjac.edu or call 281-998-6150.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The 2010 Baseball Hall of Fame class has been released by the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association. This year's class is made up of four well-respected coaches both on and off the diamond. The class includes long-time Head Coach of Olney Central College (Ill.) Dennis Conley, former Head Coach at Linn-Benton (Ore.) and Yavapai College (Ariz.) Dave Dangler, and current Head Coach Bill Hamilton of Pensacola Junior College (Fla).

Dennis Conley
Head Coach
Olney Central College (Ill.)

Dennis Conley has enjoyed many years of success as the Head Coach of Olney Central College (Ill.). His successes include 26 straight winning seasons, 23 consecutive 30_­+ wins in a season where 13 of those seasons were made up of 40+ wins, 15 Sectional Championships, and three GRAC regular season titles.

Dennis went to high school at Charleston High School in Illinois. He attended college and played baseball at Eastern Illinois University. As player and as a coach his colleagues have regarded him as a man of integrity with an uncompromising code of ethics. Dennis took over the baseball program at Olney Central College in 1981.

Besides being the Head Coach of Olney Central College, Dennis was the Baseball Chairman for Region NJCAA's Region 24 from 1986 to 1990. He has been a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association since 1981, and has worked in a number of summer baseball camps since 1982. As well as guiding young men on the field, Dennis has also been a featured speaker at different functions over the years. Conley has been named the GRAC Conference Coach of the Year on three occasions (200, 2004, 2005).

In April of 2008, Olney Central College baseball field was dedicated as Conley Field in his honor.

Dave Dangler
Head Coach
Yavapai College (Ariz.)

Dave started his coaching career at Linn-Benton where he coached from 1977-1983 and put together a record of 222-86. At Linn-Benton he took his team to three straight appearances at the JUCO World Series during 1979-1981. Those same years he won the Region 18 Coach of the Year award.

In 1983 he left Linn-Benton to coach at Yavapai College in Arizona. He continued his winning ways at Yavapai posting an overall record of 294-274 during 1984-1994. In 1986 he took Yavapai to the JUCO World Series where they took third place and won the team sportsmanship award. In 1993 he took Yavapai back to the JUCO World Series where he would finally win a National Championship and win the NJCAA National Coach of the Year. In 1986 and 1993 he was named the Region 1 coach of the year.

In his time at Linn-Benton and Yavapai, Dave recorded an overall record of 516-360. He is one of only two coaches in NJCAA history (Bill Griffin, Panola & Howard) to take two different programs to the JUCO World Series. He coached eight NJCAA All-Americans and had 44 players selected in the MLB Draft.

Dangler was hired as the Head Baseball Coach at Portland State University from 1995 to 1998 when the program was dropped.

Dave worked as a Major League Baseball Scout with the Montreal Expos (2001 Scout of the Year), Florida Marlins (2003 Scout of the Year), and the Baltimore Orioles from 1999-2009. Dangler is now the pitching coach at Notre Dame University.

In addition to his induction to the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, he has also been inducted into the Oregon Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Northwest Community College Hall of Fame.

Bill Hamilton
Head Coach
Pensacola Junior College (Fla.)

Hamilton started his coaching career in 1987 with North Florida Junior College. While there, he compiled a record of 84-72. In 1990 he took over the Pensacola Junior College baseball program and has since put together a record of 591-379.

Under Hamilton, Pensacola has won two conference championships, and in 2004 they won the regional championship, district championship, and made a JUCO World Series appearance.

In his time as a head coach, he has seen more than 175 of his players move on to four year colleges and more than 60 players move into the professional ranks.

In 2002 and 2008 he was named the FCCAA Coach of the Year. In 2004 he was named the NJCAA Region Coach of the Year, FCCAA Baseball Coach of the Year, and the NJCAA District Coach of the Year.

From 1992-2002, Hamilton served as the chair for the Florida Panhandle Conference, a member of the Florida JUCO State Baseball Committee, a member of the FCCAA/NJCAA Region VIII Tournament Committee, and a member of the NJCAA All-District Selection Committee.

In addition to his outstanding commitment on the field, he has also done many things for the community. Bill served as a committee member for the Fredwaters Baseball Clinic from 1990-2001. Since 1996 he has served as a Charter Staff Member for Advanced summer baseball camps at Florida State University and Troy University.

By Lance Cox

NJCAA

Elizabeth Bedwell, Harper College (Ill.)

As a freshman this past fall at Harper College, Elizabeth Bedwell emerged not only as a great player on the volleyball court but also as a great player in her community. She led the NJCAA Division III ranks in assists (1,236) in 2009 and participated in 146 sets for the Hawks while also logging over 200 hours of community service in or near her hometown of Gibson City, Ill.

Her two biggest contributions have been to the Gibson City Beautification Foundation, which relies on volunteers to help preserve the scenic beauty of the area, and by sewing funeral gowns for babies that pass away due to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) or other medical complications.

Harper volleyball coach Bob Vilsoet believes Elizabeth will continue to do great things in the years to come. "Libby (Elizabeth) will be a success at whatever she endeavors to do in life. She has superior leadership qualities and does not let barriers get in the way. She's reliable, dedicated and always gives her best."

Bedwell holds a 3.6 GPA and totaled 267 digs and 57 aces this year on the volleyball court. In here spare time she serves at her local church in a variety of ways in including being a youth camp counselor and alter sever.

She plans on transferring to a four-year institution after her second year at Harper to continue her education and volleyball career and wants to someday become an anesthesiologist.

About the NJCAA Leaders for Life Program

The NJCAA is proud to offer its member colleges leadership based training for coaches, staff and student athletes through the Leaders for Life Program (LLP). The purpose of LLP is to provide member colleges with the resources to develop leadership skills and promote sportsmanship. LLP is based upon the concept that two-year college athletics at its best can provide training and development for coaches and athletes to reach their potential as leaders, academicians, good citizens, and great athletes.

The main focus of the Leaders for Life Program is teaching leadership skills to promote sportsmanship. In an attempt to further promote LLP, the NJCAA will honor student-athletes that represent their school and community with integrity, responsibility and respect...thus putting themselves in a position to be Leaders for Life.

Selected student-athletes will be recognized on the NJCAA 360° show (www.njcaa.org/njcaa360.cfm) and on the NJCAA website (www.njcaa.org).

Previous NJCAA LLP - Student-Athlete Awards

9/16/2009
Kresta Rogers, Paradise Valley Community College (Ariz.), Women's Track & Field
Andy Hoffman, Chandler Gilbert Community College (Ariz.), Men's Soccer

9/23/2009
Jocelyn Fischer, Adirondack Community College (N.Y.), Women's Tennis
Chris Stephenson, North Country Community College (N.Y.), Men's Soccer

9/30/2009
Greg Govea, Cedar Valley College (Texas), Baseball
Megan Rozzi, South Mountain Community College, Softball
Katie Corbin, South Mountain Community College, Softball

10/7/2009
Carmela Garcia, Frank Phillips College (Texas), Women's Basketball
Bernard James, Tallahassee Community College, Men's Basketball

11/4/2009
Corrina Hoyt, Pratt Community College (Kan.), Women's Basketball

12/1/2009
Tim Huesca, Ancilla College (Ind.), Men's Soccer

1/12/2010
Amanda Fontenot, LSU Eunice (La.), Women's Basketball

1/20/2010
Adrian Forbes; Trinity Valley Community College (Texas), Men's Basketball

1/26/2010
Johnathon Render; Lawson State Community College, Ala., Baseball

In the first year of its inception during the 2008-09 academic year, 67 student-athletes were named to the honor roll, which was a combination of both the fall and spring academic semesters. The 2009-10 academic year will see separate honor roll lists for both the fall and spring semesters, giving student-athletes the ability to garner honors for both semesters, regardless of where their sport seasons fall.

In order to qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.0 grade point average and pass 12 academic credits in order to be named to that semester's honor roll.

The men's teams at Harford just barely edged out the women's teams with 26 athletes named to the honor roll for the Fall 2009 semester, while the women's teams had 25 athletes make the list. The men's lacrosse team led all groups with nine selections to the honor roll, while men's soccer (7) and women's tennis (7) round out the top three teams overall.

The baseball team completes the top three men's teams with four selections, while the women's soccer and softball teams had six recipients to round out the top three women's teams at Harford.

Johnathon Render; Lawson State Community College, Ala.

Sport: Baseball
3.2 GPA

Johnathon Render is the current leader of the Lawson State baseball team heading into the 2010 season. Off of the baseball diamond Render spends countless hours volunteering in his community at the Children's Hospital of Alabama and the Lakeshore Foundation, which offers a wide range of fitness, recreation, athletic and education programs to children and adults who experience diagnostic conditions including spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, amputation, and visual impairment.

Render earned a 3.2 GPA his freshman year and currently helps tutor other student-athletes at Lawson State.

Last season, Render led Lawson State in at-bats, home runs and RBIs.

In his spare time he also enjoys playing the drums at his local church.

Render plans on playing baseball for another two years at a four-year institution and looks to pursue a degree in physical education.

About the NJCAA Leaders for Life Program

The NJCAA is proud to offer its member colleges leadership based training for coaches, staff and student athletes through the Leaders for Life Program (LLP). The purpose of LLP is to provide member colleges with the resources to develop leadership skills and promote sportsmanship. LLP is based upon the concept that two-year college athletics at its best can provide training and development for coaches and athletes to reach their potential as leaders, academicians, good citizens, and great athletes.

The main focus of the Leaders for Life Program is teaching leadership skills to promote sportsmanship. In an attempt to further promote LLP, the NJCAA will honor student-athletes that represent their school and community with integrity, responsibility and respect...thus putting themselves in a position to be Leaders for Life.

Selected student-athletes will be recognized on the NJCAA 360° show (www.njcaa.org/njcaa360.cfm) and on the NJCAA website (www.njcaa.org).

Previous NJCAA LLP - Student-Athlete Awards

9/16/2009
Kresta Rogers, Paradise Valley Community College (Ariz.), Women's Track & Field
Andy Hoffman, Chandler Gilbert Community College (Ariz.), Men's Soccer

9/23/2009
Jocelyn Fischer, Adirondack Community College (N.Y.), Women's Tennis
Chris Stephenson, North Country Community College (N.Y.), Men's Soccer

9/30/2009
Greg Govea, Cedar Valley College (Texas), Baseball
Megan Rozzi, South Mountain Community College, Softball
Katie Corbin, South Mountain Community College, Softball

10/7/2009
Carmela Garcia, Frank Phillips College (Texas), Women's Basketball
Bernard James, Tallahassee Community College, Men's Basketball

11/4/2009
Corrina Hoyt, Pratt Community College (Kan.), Women's Basketball

12/1/2009
Tim Huesca, Ancilla College (Ind.), Men's Soccer

1/12/2010
Amanda Fontenot, LSU Eunice (La.), Women's Basketball

1/20/2010
Adrian Forbes; Trinity Valley Community College (Texas), Men's Basketball

The selection of Williams continues to validate the potential he's fulfilled since becoming one of the few Australian natives to be offered a football scholarship in the United States. Williams is used to an international stage, since it was his performance in a World Cup qualifying match two years ago that drew the attention of scouts in the States, and began Williams' path from his native Brisbane to Yuma. A star rugby and basketball player much of his young life, Williams didn't actually start playing American football until the age of 14, but was a quick study, and quickly became the talk of many Australian periodicals while attending Cavendish Road State High School and playing for the Bayside Ravens' football team and the Queensland Sun Devils State team in Australia.

After earning Player of the Year honors for Bayside, Williams took AWC Head Football Coach Tom Minnick's scholarship offer and made his way to Yuma this past August. Since then, Williams has been one of the most powerful and consistent forces on the Matador defensive line. The only defensive lineman to start all 11 games for the Matadors this past season, Williams had a nose for turnovers, forcing 3 fumbles while sacking the quarterback 3 ½ times. His 46 overall tackles and 34 assisted tackles were tops among Matador D-lineman, and he earned WSFL Special Teams Player of the Week honors after blocking a Glendale field goal and extra-point attempt within the span of just 14 seconds. Williams was an integral part of AWC's run to their first league title since 1981, and their #7 final national ranking. Because of his work this season, Williams was honored by the league's coaches with a 1^st Team All-Region I selection and a 2^nd Team All-Western States Football League selection. "Jesse's been a stalwart for us all year long and a big reason for our success this past season," remarked Minnick. "We're proud that he will be able to represent his home country and Arizona Western College in this prestigious game."

Williams is expected to head to Florida this weekend to begin final preparations for the January 30^th matchup, which will pit the World team against USA Football's 2010 Junior National Team, and is sanctioned by the International Federation of American Football. The game has been deemed an official NFL Pro Bowl Week event, and will be nationally televised live by the NFL Network starting at 10AM Arizona time, Saturday, January 30^th. For more information about the game itself, log onto http://www.usavworld.com/2010/.

Prior to joining the USM staff in 2001, he was the head coach at Meridian Community College where he amassed a 186-57 mark. In his four years as the head coach at MCC, Berry guided the Eagles to the NJCAA World Series twice, won the Region 23 Championship three times and captured the Mississippi/Louisiana Championship all four years.

Berry was named the Regional Coach of the Year three times (1997, 1998 and 2000), District Coach of the Year twice (1998 and 2000), while earning the Diamond Sports ABCA Region Coach of the Year in 1998 and the Louisville Slugger Coaching Award two times in 1997 and 1998.

At Meridian, he coached 30 players who signed to play Division I baseball and had 10 players selected in the major league draft, including 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner, Cliff Lee, of the Cleveland Indians, who played for Berry in 1999 and 2000.

Read the Wizards release here.

Korede was a two time NJCAA All American while at CCBC Essex in 2006 and 2007 and was instrumental in leading the 2007 Knights squad to the Region XX Championship, Mid-Atlantic District Championship, and NJCAA National Tournament Appearance.

Adrian Forbes; Trinity Valley Community College (Texas)

Adrian Forbes volunteers his time in a number of different outreach programs for children around his campus community. He spends some of his free time reading to elementary students and volunteering with the Special Olympics.

Not only does he use his academic inclination to help kids, but he also channels his athletic ability towards helping kids as well. The sophomore works with beginning players at the local YMCA to help develop and foster not only basic skills but also respect for the game. During the Cardinals "Day with the Cards" Adrian was a big hit.

Forbes is a Business major and holds a 3.6 GPA and sometimes takes responsibility for tutoring fellow players during daily study halls.

As well as being a student athlete at Trinity Valley, Adrian was a member of the Jamaican National Basketball team last year and hopes to have a chance to play in the upcoming 2012 Summer Olympic Games.

Forbes has signed a NCAA Letter of Intent to play basketball at Auburn University next year.

About the NJCAA Leaders for Life Program

The NJCAA is proud to offer its member colleges leadership based training for coaches, staff and student athletes through the Leaders for Life Program (LLP). The purpose of LLP is to provide member colleges with the resources to develop leadership skills and promote sportsmanship. LLP is based upon the concept that two-year college athletics at its best can provide training and development for coaches and athletes to reach their potential as leaders, academicians, good citizens, and great athletes.

The main focus of the Leaders for Life Program is teaching leadership skills to promote sportsmanship. In an attempt to further promote LLP, the NJCAA will honor student-athletes that represent their school and community with integrity, responsibility and respect...thus putting themselves in a position to be Leaders for Life.

Selected student-athletes will be recognized on the NJCAA 360° show (www.njcaa.org/njcaa360.cfm) and on the NJCAA website (www.njcaa.org).







Previous NJCAA LLP - Student-Athlete Awards

9/16/2009
Kresta Rogers, Paradise Valley Community College (Ariz.), Women's Track & Field
Andy Hoffman, Chandler Gilbert Community College (Ariz.), Men's Soccer

9/23/2009
Jocelyn Fischer, Adirondack Community College (N.Y.), Women's Tennis
Chris Stephenson, North Country Community College (N.Y.), Men's Soccer

9/30/2009
Greg Govea, Cedar Valley College (Texas), Baseball
Megan Rozzi, South Mountain Community College, Softball
Katie Corbin, South Mountain Community College, Softball

10/7/2009
Carmela Garcia, Frank Phillips College (Texas), Women's Basketball
Bernard James, Tallahassee Community College, Men's Basketball

11/4/2009
Corrina Hoyt, Pratt Community College (Kan.), Women's Basketball

12/1/2009
Tim Huesca, Ancilla College (Ind.), Men's Soccer

1/12/2010
Amanda Fontenot, LSU Eunice (La.), Women's Basketball

The Sussex County Community College (Newton, New Jersey) Softball team with the help of the Athletic Department is running a food drive during the remainder of the home basketball games this season to benefit the Sussex County Food Pantry, who, like most food pantries in the country is in need of donations.

The Softball Team is asking fans attending games to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the food pantry in these times of need. Sussex County Director of Social Services, Carol Novritt is extremely thankful for the effort, saying how there are times when there are bare shelves and they are scooping out the last can.

Admission to the games is not dependant on a donation, however the Athletic Department urges fans to try and help others in times of need with this food drive. Softball team members will be manning the donation table outside the gym where they will accept donations of food items as well as have some items on hand to purchase for donation for those who came empty handed.
The Sussex County Food Pantry is located in Newton just minutes from the college. Athletic Director John Kuntz is happy to see the student-athletes helping the community.

"It is always nice to see our student-athletes with a sense of civic responsibility. In this case, our teams are all involved in some way with this project, whether it is accepting donations, providing the venue for people to donate, or the actual act of donating food. I commend this effort and hope to see more events down the road."

A small gym, with just three rows of bleachers, Kuntz and those involved in this project are hopeful that the generosity far exceeds the seating capacity. The Athletic Department thanks donors in advance for their assistance.

SAAC adopted a low-income, local Harford County family with a single-mother and two children, aged three and eight, and collected food, clothing and toys from each of Harford's 12 athletic teams. The student-athletes wrapped the gifts on Friday and delivered them to SAAC's adopted family later in the day.

SAAC advisor and athletic trainer Kim Henry guided the student-athletes to the Mason Dixon organization, but she'll be the first to say that the idea of doing something for the holidays was all the student-athletes' idea.

"I helped get SAAC in contact with Mason Dixon Community Services, since I knew about the organization, but it was the athletes' idea to do something for the holidays," she said. "I was very impressed with the turnout from all of the student-athletes. The group of student-athletes that were more a part of the whole process have a greater realization about the effect that [giving] can have on others."

SAAC President Carlos Zamora (Fallston, Md./Fallston), of the men's soccer team, and Vice President Chris Pappas (Fallston, Md./Fallston), of the men's basketball team, were the driving force behind the holiday giving campaign, as they were both instrumental in coordinating the program with the Mason Dixon organization and the adopted family.

Pappas immediately got a taste of the hardship that many families struggle with not only during the holidays, but throughout the year. After Zamora communicated with the Mason Dixon organization and received the adopted family's contact information, Pappas attempted to call the family and introduce himself as a member of SAAC at Harford. He was met with a disconnected phone line announcement and was perplexed at first, but then came to the realization that the phone company may have shut off the power, due to a late bill or some other extenuating circumstance.

"It was an eye-opening experience," Pappas said. "You get to experience the unfortunate situations that many families deal with on a regular-basis. It's nice to help a family which needs help around the holidays."

Eventually, SAAC got a hold of the family and found out about the children's likes and dislikes, clothing sizes, etc., which it relayed to Harford's teams along with a category that each team was responsible for donating. By midday Friday, the athletic training office was overflowing with gifts of food, clothing and toys that needed to be wrapped, thanks to the effort of all of Harford's student-athletes and coaches.

"The experience was very humbling," Zamora said. "I would definitely do it again and, after seeing the support from all of the athletes, it makes me want to do more with SAAC. SAAC is what we [student-athletes] make out of it and I'd like to see a gradual increase of more things done."

A few members of SAAC with the gifts for their adopted family. Clockwise from back left: Sophomore Brittany Kaszak (Volleyball), Vice President-Sophomore Chris Pappas (M. Basketball), President-Freshman Carlos Zamora (M. Soccer), Freshman Jet Amerg (W. Soccer), Freshman Cierra Stinson (W. Soccer).

WACO, TEXAS

"To win a national championship and have my fellow coaches honor me as Coach of the Year is a supreme honor," Franchione said. "The award has my name on it, but it is really a testament to all the great people in our program: our student-athletes, our coaches, our college administration, faculty and staff. That is what makes it truly a team effort."

Franchione just completed his fifth year directing the Buccaneer program, his 15th in college football. He guided Blinn to a 11-1 overall record, the Southwest Junior College Football Conference (SWJCFC) title and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national title in 2009.

In his five years (2005-2009) at Blinn College, Franchione has amassed a 46-10 record highlighted by two NJCAA National Championships (2006, 2009). In his second season as head coach, Franchione was named the SWJCFC Coach of the Year, the American Football Monthly Schutt Sports Coach of the Year and the inaugural Sportexe® Football Coach of the Year after leading Blinn to a 12-0 mark, the SWJCFC title and the 2006 NJCAA national championship.

In 2008, Blinn finished the season with a 9-3 record, with an appearance in the Heart of Texas Bowl. Franchione has coached 16 All-Americans during his tenure at Blinn, including four on this year's list and the 2008 NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Terrance Cain, who now plays for the University of Utah.

Franchione came to Blinn in 2005 from Texas A&M University-Commerce where he was the defensive line coach. He was also an assistant coach at Bacone College (2003-2004), the University of Tennessee-Martin (2002), the University of West Alabama (2001-2002), East Central University (1999-2001), and Fort Scott Community College (1998). He was a graduate assistant at Arkansas State University (1996-1998), and a student assistant coach at the University of New Mexico (1992-1996) where his father Dennis Franchione was the head coach.

About the ACCFCA: Community college football coaches are among the very best in the profession. In recent years, there have been two organizations, the California Community College Football Coaches Association and the National Junior College Football Coaches Association. Each organization had its own coach of the year. In 2000, the AFCA invited the organizations to meet at the AFCA Convention. Three national goals were set: to form a national community college football coaches' association, to study the possibility of a national championship game between the two organizations and to elect, yearly, a national coach of the year and to have that coach recognized by the AFCA. Their initial goal, to create an umbrella coaches association, has been accomplished. In 2002, the American Community College Football Coaches Association selected its first national coach of the year, Michael White of Reedley College. Past winners of the ACCFCA Coach of the Year are: Troy Morrell, Butler Community College, 2003; Tim Hatten, Pearl River Community College, 2004; Don Dillon, American River College, 2005; John Featherstone, El Camino College, 2006; Jeff Chudy, Bakersfield College, 2007; and Jeff Jordan, Butte College, 2008. For more information on the AFCA and its programs, log on to the AFCA's website at www.afca.com.

Ollie Mack
Player
San Jacinto College, Texas

Billy Kent Barton
Coach
State Fair Community College (Mo.)

Jay Pivec
Coach
Minneapolis Community & Technical College, Minn.

Entering the 2009-10 season, Jay Pivec ranks second among active NJCAA Division III coaches with 428 victories. Pivec has led the men's basketball program at Minneapolis Community & Technical College since 1990 and has guided the program to four appearances in the Division III national tournament (1993, 95, 2005, 09), including two runner-up finishes (93, 09).

Pivec's Mavericks have reached the postseason 19 consecutive seasons and he has coached seven NJCAA First-Team All-Americans - the most of any Division III program. He has been honored as the Minnesota College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year eight times and in 2009 was named the NJCAA Division III Coach of the Year.

Since 2008, Pivec has also served as the NJCAA Region 13 Men's Director.

A native of Minneapolis, Pivec was elected to the MCAC Hall of Fame in 2002.


Jack Robertson
Coach
Faulkner State Community College, Ala.

Jack Robertson is one of only four active NJCAA coaches to reach 700 career wins and entered the 2009-10 season ranked 13^th in career NJCAA victories with 705. This year marks his 37^th season as the head coach at Faulkner State and has led the program to over 20 wins in 17 of the last 23 seasons.

Under his leadership Faulkner State has claimed two Region 22 titles (1978 and 1991) and three runner-up finishes (1987, 98. 2002). He has twice led the program to the NJCAA Men's Basketball Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan. (1978 and 1991), including a sixth place finish in 1991 with a team that set a Region 22 record with 32 wins.

Robertson has won more basketball games than any other coach in Region 22 history and was voted the league's coach of the year three times (1978, 91, 98). In 1998 he was inducted into the Alabama Community College Conference Hall of Fame.

Robertson now coaches his Sun Chiefs in "Jack Robertson Arena" - Faulkner State's home court, which was named in his honor in 2002.

Steve Schmidt
Coach
Mott Community College, Mich.

In 18 seasons at Mott, Steve Schmidt has built arguably the best NJCAA basketball program in the Division II ranks. Since taking over the program in 1991, when it was almost cut by the school's administration, the Bears have never posted a sub-.500 record and have won over 25 games in each of the last 14 seasons.

In 2007, he led Mott to a school record 35-3 record and the program's first of two straight national championships. In 2008, the Bears again won 35 games and finished the season with a 33-game winning streak.

Schmidt also guided the Bears to the 2003 NJCAA DII Championship and has won a total of 11 conference, six district and six region championships. His teams have qualified for the national tournament six times and have advanced to the title game on five occasions. He has a 20-3 record in national tournament play.

Schmidt entered the 2009-10 season with a 478-115 career record, which ranks 17^th among active NJCAA coaches. He has three times been named the NJCAA DII Coach of the Year (2003, 2007, 08) and has coached three NJCAA DII Players of the Year (Jay Youngbloos - 2004; Kevin Tiggs - 2007; Jeremie Simmons - 2008) and 15 All-Americans.

Harford will become the first school in the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference (MDJUCO) to have its entire athletic program compete at the highest, Division-I level of the NJCAA and the fifth school to have the same classification for all its sports. Baltimore City Community College (D-II), CCBC-Dundalk (D-II), Montgomery College-Germantown (D-III) and Montgomery College-Rockville (D-III) already have the same classifications for all of their respective sports.

"Harford aspires to be at the highest level in all of its institutional operations," Krsolovic said. "It only follows that the varsity athletic program, as a highly visible representative of the institution, should compete at the highest level."

Harford already has five of its sports (men's and women's soccer, men's and women's lacrosse, women's tennis) competing at the Division-I level, including the men's soccer team which made it to the regional semifinals and the women's soccer and women's tennis teams which claimed their respective regional championships this past fall. The 2010-11 season will see six sports (men's and women's basketball, softball, baseball, volleyball, golf) transition from Division-II to Division-I, while men's tennis will round out the 12-sport program by jumping from Division-III to Division-I.

Regional Coach of the Year Honors Also Announced

LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 3, 2009) - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) is proud to announce that Illinois Central College head women's volleyball coach Sue Sinclair has been selected has the 2009 AVCA Two-Year Colleges National Coach of the Year, while Hillsborough Community College assistant coach Monica Medvid has been named the organization's inaugural AVCA Two-Year Colleges National Assistant Coach of the Year.

2009 saw Sinclair take Illinois Central to new heights, as she directed the Cougars to their first NJCAA Division II national championship. The Cougars entered the NJCAA Division II Volleyball National Championship as the No. 1 overall seed and, after winning four consecutive matches in the tournament, including a sweep of three-time defending national champion Kishwaukee College, finished the year with a 33-7 record.

During her 20-years at the helm of the program, she has had only one losing season, and has now qualified for the national tournament 13 times. Entering this season Sinclair has coached 19 All-Americans and sent 58 athletes on scholarship to play for four-year institutions. Sinclair now has a career record of 694-322 (.683) during her years at Illinois Central.

Sinclair has served in many administrative volleyball roles nationwide. She is a two-time past president of the NJCAA Volleyball Coaches Association and past member of the both the AVCA and USA Volleyball (USAV) Board of Directors. She was inducted into the NJCAA Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2004. She also serves as ICC's Athletic Director.

Medvid has been as assistant coach at Hillsborough since the 2004 season and played an integegral role in the program's 30-10 overall record in 2009. With Medvid's guidance, the Hawks captured the Suncoast Conference championship and ended the season with a seventh-place showing at the NJCAA Division I National Tournament. Medvid, a former Hillsborough player and team captain, is also a club coach and was named a member of the Tampa United Volleyball Club's Executive Board of Directors in 2007.

The AVCA will formally present both coaches their awards at the 2009 jostens Coaches Honors Luncheon in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, December 17. The luncheon is held in conjunction with the 2009 AVCA Annual Convention.

District Champions/National Tournament Qualifiers

District A: Onondaga Community College, N.Y. (33-0)
Dating back to the beginning of last season, No.1 Onondaga CC has compiled a record of 62-7, and they are currently riding a 33 game winning streak that began at the tip-off of this season. Onondaga will attempt to finish off a perfect season as they are driven by an offense that averages 80 points per game and a defense that only allowed opponents to an average of 53 points per game this season.

District B: Madison Area Technical College, Wisc. (28-3)
The No. 3 Madison Area Technical College Wolfpack knocked off Milwaukee Area 62-58, to punch their ticket to the national tournament. They are led by sophomore, Gabi Hungerford who leads the team in points (14), rebounds (6), and assists (3) per game.

District C: Anoka-Ramsey CC, Minn. (23-5)
The No. 5 Anoka Ramsey Rams are coming into the tournament after a thrilling 78-74 overtime victory against Minneapolis CC. The Region 13a champions are coming into the tournament boasting an offense that has four players averaging in double figures in scoring.

District D: Westchester CC, N.Y. (25-3)
Westchester CC finished the regular season at No. 6, but they are looking to finish the year at No. 1 with a national championship. The Vikings are entering the tournament after defeating Suffolk County CC-Selden (N.Y.) by a score of 67-44. They are led by standout Porsha Postell, who is the team leader in points (21), assists (9), and assists (4) per game.

District E: Brookdale CC, N.J. (25-0)
No. 2 Brookdale CC enters the tournament with a perfect 25-0 record with their last victory coming at the expense of Passaic County CC (N.J.) 84-63. Brookdale's closest victory came in the first game of the season where they won by just one point over Delaware Technical & CC, since then they have enjoyed large margins of victory by averaging 26 points more than their opponents.

District F: Manchester CC, Conn. (22-3)
Manchester comes into the 2010 national tournament after defeating Roxbury CC (Mass.) by a score of 79-61. Manchester has not been considered a top 10 team since early December when they held the No. 8 spot in the polls. With four players averaging in double-figures for scoring, the Cougars are ready to prove why they are still one of the top teams in the nation in Division 3.

District G: Anne Arundel CC, Md. (15-10)
After defeating 9^th ranked Westmoreland CC (Penn.) by a score of 64-52, the previously unranked Anne Arundel Pioneers find themselves in the tournament with a chance to win a national championship. The Pioneers are led by the high-scoring sophomore Jaclyn Nucci, who is averaging a double-double this year with 18 points and 12 rebounds per game.

District H: Northland Community & Technical College, Minn. (19-12)
Northland CTC enters the tournament after a squeaking out a close 55-52 win over Rainy River CC (Minn.). Northland has entered this tournament under the radar after only making a brief appearance on the Preseason Top 15 Poll at No. 7. Since the preseason poll they have failed to make it back inside the top 10. However, with four players averaging in double-figures in scoring, the Pioneers of Northland CTC are ready to prove that they are still a national championship contender.

Tournament Schedule - Opening Round (times local)

Game 1 1 p.m.

Onondaga CC, N.Y. (33-0) - Region 3

Northland CTC, Minn. (19-12) - Region13b

Game 2 8 p.m.

Anoka-Ramsey CC, Minn. (23-5) - Region 13a

Anne Arundel CC, Md. (15-10) - Region 20

Game 3 3 p.m.

Madison Area Technical College, Wisc. (28-3) - Region 4

Westchester CC, N.Y. (25-3) - Region 15

Game 4 6 p.m.

Brookdale CC, N.J. (25-0) - Region 19

Manchester CC, Conn. (22-3) - Region 21

Pierce had a perfect game through six innings before hitting a batter to start the seventh. But JCJC turned a double play and Pierce ended up facing the minimum 21 batters through seven innings.

In game one, the Bobcats used a nine-run, first inning to topple the Trojans, 13-6.

JCJC is now 15-1 on the season and will face Hibbing Community College (Minn.) at noon on Tuesday at Co-Lin Community College in Wesson. The Bobcats play at Meridian Community College at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

Bobcats 13, Trojans 6

JCJC leftfielder Chris Lofton had a pair of doubles during the Bobcats' nine-run, first inning. Catcher Adam Burnett also had a home run and a double.

Cory Williams was the starter and winner for Jones. He pitched into the fifth and was relieved by Trey Lacy. Bryce Penny got the final two outs of the game.

Bobcats 4, Trojans 0

In game two, Lofton added three more singles. He went 5-for-7 on the day.

Graham Odom delivered a two-run single in the second to put the Bobcats up 2-0. Ryan Roberts had an RBI single in the fourth and Zachary Robertson had a run-scoring single in the fifth for Jones.

Pierce upped his record to 4-0 with the victory.

The Kats from Erie jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the second period on a PJ Brown (Lancaster, Depew, NY) goal. Erie then had a two-man advantage with the opportunity to increase their lead when they turned the puck over and gave up a breakaway that resulted in a penalty shot. Erie goaltender, Bryan Kalczynski (Wheatfield Blades, Lancaster, NY) defended the penalty shot and Erie held onto its two-goal lead. Still with the two-man advantage, Erie's Ryan Vertino (Green Island, green Island, NY) scored a goal on a pass from Todd Lyness (North Tonawanda, North Tonawanda, NY) moments later to take a 3-0 lead.

After Monroe looked dead in the water, they Tribunes made a furious comeback, capitalizing on Erie penalties. Monroe scored three-straight power play goals to knot the game at three with 7:15 remaining. The equalizer was scored by Corey Hume (Merivale, Ottawa, ON). Less than a minute later, Monroe picked up an unsportsmanlike penalty and handed Erie the power play opportunity in the waning moments of the contest. Erie took full advantage as Brown buried his second goal and eventual game-winner with six minutes to go. Monroe had its chances as they pulled their goalie and nearly tied the game with under a minute to play. Erie outlasted the Monroe onslaught and skated away with the 4-3 victory

Erie will take on the Dakota College at Bottineau at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Sunday, Mar. 7, for the NJCAA National Championship.

Erie Scoring:

Per. 1, Todd Lyness (16:52) - 1^st assist - Ryan Vertino

Per. 2, PJ Brown (3:11) - 1^st assist - Phil Difransisco

Per. 2, Ryan Vertino (8:20) - 1^st assist - Todd Lyness, 2^nd assist - Theo Alger

Per. 3, PJ Brown (13:42) - 1^st assist - Tom Smith, 2^nd assist - Phil Difransisco

Erie Goaltending:

Player Shots Saves GA Save% Min.

Bryan Kalczynski 38 35 3 .921 60

Monroe Scoring:

Per. 2, Josh Bechard (19:12) - 1^st assist - Aaron Hildreth

Per. 3, Ryan Ford (10:51) - 1^st assist - Cory Hume, 2^nd assist - Josh Bechard

Per. 3, Cory Hume (12:46) - 1^st assist - Dom Markajani, 2^nd assist - Aaron Hildreth

Monroe Goaltending:

Player Shots Saves GA Save% Min.

Jess Labrecque 29 25 4 .862 60

*No new records

The Jacks dominated all aspects of the contest and were on the board first as Danny Urban (Edmonton, AB) scored off of a feed from Dustin Meyer (Mitchell, SD). Josh Swancutt (Chester, IA) got into the mix and scored a short-handed Bottineau goal with 7:23 remaining in the first period. The second period went much the same as the Jacks' Myer added another short-handed goal off of a Hudson Valley turnover. Myer scored yet another goal before the end of the second period to make the score 4-0 in favor of Bottineau. Hudson Valley goaltender, Ryan Lynch (Lake George, Lake George) gave a valiant effort in the first two periods as he was pelted with 30 shots, saving 26 of them and keeping the Vikings in the contest as much as possible.

Hudson Valley's Nick Phelps (LaSalle Institute, Nassau, NY) scored the Vikings' lone goal as he capitalized on a breakaway to pull the Vikings within three goals of the Jacks early in the third period. Once again, Bottineau proved too much and scored two more unanswered goals before the end of regulation, taking the 6-1 victory and the right to play for the NJCAA National Championship. Bottineau recorded 42 shots on goal compared to Hudson Valley's 14.

Bottineau will play the winner of the Erie Community College - Monroe Community College matchup on Sunday, Mar. 7 at 2 p.m.

Bottineau Scoring:

Per. 1, Danny Urban (8:48) - 1^st assist - Dustin Meyer

Per. 1, Josh Swancutt (12:37) - 1^st assist - Darcy Charrois

Per. 2, Dustin Meyer (13:49) - unassisted

Per. 2, Dustin Meyer (18:02) - 1^st assist - Kenny Lybeck, 2^nd assist - Danny Urban

Per. 3, Wayne Ferguson (13:00) - 1^st assist - Shawn Shindler, 2^nd assist - Andrew Seeders

Per. 3, Mark Henke (15:57) - 1^st assist - Dustin Meyer, 2^nd assist - Colby Rehak

Bottineau Goaltending:

Player Shots Saves GA Save% Min.

Joe Caruso 14 13 1 .929 60

Hudson Valley Scoring:

Per. 3, Nick Phelps (3:12) - unassisted

Hudson Valley Goaltending:

Player Shots Saves GA Save% Min.

Ryan Lynch 30 26 4 .867 40

Justin Barnard 14 12 2 .857 20

*No new records

Sunday, March 7th 2:00 pm
Championship Game

NJCAA Ice Hockey Record Book

Lucian Antoine and Jason Pierre-Paul competed in various drills in front of NFL scouts and coaches to hopefully improve their draft stock/position when the NFL holds their player draft on April 22^nd.

Antoine, a Coral Gable (FL.) native, has spent the last two years playing for the Cowboys of Oklahoma State University after two stellar seasons at FSCC.

As a Greyhound, Antoine recorded 160 tackles in two years and was named 2^nd team All-American his sophomore year.

Nicknamed the "Punisher" for his ferocious hitting ability, Antoine overcame a torn ACL in his first season at OSU to record 65 tackles and 2 interceptions for the Cowboys in his senior season.

Antoine, a 6-1 217 pound safety, is projected by NFL draft analysis to be picked in the 6^th or 7^th round of the draft. He is also picked as the 18^th best safety out of 131.

Pierre-Paul played the 2008 season for the Greyhounds compiling 67 tackles, 10 sacks, and 20 tackles behind the line of scrimmage while helping the 'Hounds to a 9-2 record and a bowl victory in the Heart of Texas Bowl.

Pierre-Paul was named first team All-Conference and All-American in 2008.

During the 2009 campaign at South Florida, Pierre-Paul led the Bulls in sacks (6.5), tackles for loss (16.5), and quarterback hurries (6). Paul also finished the season with an interception, two forced fumbles and a block kick.

For his play, the 6'6 260 pound Paul received first team All-Big East Conference honors. Pierre-Paul was also named first team All-American by the Pro Football Weekly publication.

The Deerfield Beach (FL.) native is projected as a top 10 draft pick by ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.

Special Note: Assistant 'Hound coach Eddie Brown's son, Antonio, is also performing at the combine as a wide receiver. Antonio Brown was a standout performer for the University of Central Michigan in 2009.

(MERIDIAN) - Wednesday night's Miss-Lou Tournament Championship game was not only a big win for the Meridian Community College women's basketball team, it was also a milestone for their coach.

Lady Eagle head basketball coach, Hilary Allen, has averaged 20 wins over the past decade for MCC.

Allen, who came to Meridian in 2000, had a combined record of 55-8 during his first two campaigns with the Lady Eagles. He set a school record for most wins in a season with 29 victories in '01-'02.

The next two years were a struggle as MCC entered into the MACJC Conference and recruiting restrictions were placed on MCC. The '02-'03 and '03-'04 seasons produced a 25-25 record for the Lady Eagles.

Things rebounded over the next three years for MCC. The Lady Eagles won 17 games each season starting in '04-'05 as Allen began his streak of advancing to the Region 23 Tournament in 2004 and currently has a six year consecutive streak, which is the longest current streak for any women's basketball team in Region 23.

The Lady Eagles have advanced to the Region 23 Tournament in 8 out of the past 10 years under Allen.

In '06-'07 the Lady Eagles finished that season in the championship game of the Region 23 Tournament. The MCC women missed out on advancing to the NJCAA National Tournament and finished in the runner-up position.

The '07-'08 season saw a new streak begin, as the Lady Eagles won 23 games that year starting a string of consecutive seasons with 20 or more victories. With 20-plus wins this season, that streak is three consecutive seasons.

That '07-'08 season also started another streak as the Lady Eagles have now won a championship title in each of the last three seasons. The Lady Eagles captured the South Division of the MACJC championship in '08 in route to a runner-up finish in the MACJC Tournament.

The Lady Eagles have now captured the Miss-Lou Conference Tournament Championship for the past two years. In '08-'09, the Lady Eagles won 22 games and the Miss-Lou Conference regular season championship title.

The current team defeated this year's Miss-Lou regular season champs, Baton Rouge Community College, 83-66 Wednesday to capture the Miss-Lou Conference Tournament title. MCC's women are now 24-6 on the year.

Coach Allen will be looking for his 201st victory Monday when he leads the Lady Eagles into the Region 23 Tournament in Clinton, MS.

Point guard Jimmy Schmitt helped split the Cumberland County College Dukes' defense all night during the Bergen Community College Bulldogs' 92-75 win that clinched an undefeated regular season.

In the story of the Bergen Community College men's basketball team, the 2009-10 regular season has a perfect ending. But Coach Sean Kelly and the entire roster believe there's plenty of story left to write.

Last night, the Bulldogs, ranked No. 1 in the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III poll, closed the book on an undefeated regular season- a 92-75 home win in Paramus over the Cumberland County College Dukes. With the victory, the Bulldogs finished the regular season 30-0.

The Bulldogs historic final regular season win means the club will carry an unblemished record into the Region XIX playoffs, which begin Monday, February 22 at Lackawanna College in Scranton, P.A. Bergen is the No. 1 seed in the tournament and has a first round bye. The Region XIX winner will move on to the 2010 NJCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship, an eight-team tournament March 11-13 in Delhi, N.Y. As an underdog in 2008-09, Bergen won the Region XIX championship and placed third in the national tournament.

Bergen's coach Kelly said although the keeping this season's perfect record intact was important, the team has higher aspirations.

"We may be undefeated, but we are still unaccomplished," the fourth year coach said. "We have a lot of work to do to get where we want to be."

In the regular season finale win over Cumberland, Bergen pulled away from the Dukes in the second half. First-year guard David West (of Paterson) led the Bulldogs with 20 points and four other players were in double-digit scoring.

The rounded contributions were reflective of the Bulldogs 2009-10 season: "all 11 guys play here," Kelly said. A different member of the team leads most statistical categories.

West leads the team in scoring (17.5 PG); preseason honorable mention All-American Elgin Brown (of Jersey City) is tops in rebounding (13.2 PG); and point guard Jimmy Schmitt (of Elmwood Park) is the assists standout (7.1 PG). In addition to 14.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, center Jayvon Beaty (of Hackensack) notches 1.9 blocks per game to lead the team.

"We don't run a star system here," Kelly said. "I feel confident with any group of guys I have out there on the floor."

Despite defeating opponents by an average of more than 17 points per game, the Bulldogs have faced stiff competition from Region XIX foes such as Camden County College, Ocean County College, Passaic County Community College and Union County College. In staving off recent upset attempts by those schools, Bergen won each game by no more than 6 points - and an average of only 3.5.

Kelly said the Region XIX and national tournaments will feature similar tight finishes.

"Region XIX is the best in the country," he said. "We don't make assumptions about anybody; we are going to have to play well to win."

Bergen has occupied the top spot in the NJCAA poll since Nov. 17 - the longest reign at the top of Division III hoops since Hudson Valley (N.Y.) was No. 1 for 11 weeks in 2007-08.

Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu) based in Paramus is a public two-year coeducational college, enrolling nearly 17,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip J. Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields.

Jim is a graduate of Stella Southeast High School in Stella, Neb. Jim and his wife, Beverly, have four daughters: Allison and Ashley (twin 23-year olds), Jennifer (18), and Taylor (11).

By Shawn Wansley, JCJC Sports Information Director

ELLISVILLE - The Jones County Junior College gymnasium has a new name.

The school renamed Bobcat Gymnasium in honor of longtime coach and educator A.B. Howard during a ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 11.

Despite the forecast for heavy snow, a sizeable crowd consisting of family members, friends, former players and well-wishers was on hand to congratulate and recognize Howard.

"What an honor it is to be here," Howard said during a reception in the gym's game room between the women and men's games vs. Hinds Community College. "But the biggest honor to me was coaching you young men."

Howard noted the gym had its first game on Dec. 2, 1954, when the Lions Club Tournament was held there. He said East Central Junior College beat JCJC in the championship game by holding the ball.

"But we were able to beat them twice that year," Howard said of the Decatur team. "They only lost two games all year and both of them were to Jones."

Howard noted that his Bobcat teams consisted mostly of players from the JCJC district.

"We have a great eight-county district," he said. "I thought it was important for us to go out and play games in the district to build support for our program."

He said the JCJC teams beat the freshmen teams from Mississippi Southern College and Mississippi College, as well as the traveling, professional House of David team.

"They would not play us again after we beat them," he said.

Howard has a storied history with JCJC.

The Louisville native was a star athlete at George S. Gardiner High School in Laurel and went on to Mississippi State University, where played on the school's only Southeastern Conference championship football team in 1941. He then served in World War II and returned home to coach at Glade High School.

Howard then came to JCJC in 1950 as head basketball coach and assistant football coach. He doubled as head football coach from 1958-60 and became athletic director in 1960 when B.L. Kisner passed away.

Sim Cooley became head football coach in 1961 and Howard remained as head basketball coach until 1977. He retired as athletic director in 1982.

He has the longest coaching tenure of anyone at Jones.

Howard was also head of the P.E. Department for many years and was chairman of Student Affairs, which put him in charge of campus discipline.

He is a member of the inaugural class of the JCJC Sports Hall of Fame, which began in 2007, as well as the MACJC Sports Hall of Fame. He is also in the NJCAA Hall of Fame because was an assistant coach on the 1955 Bobcat football team, which went to the Junior Rose Bowl and was inducted as a group in 2002.

"We are very proud and happy to recognize such a great man as A.B. Howard," said JCJC school president Dr. Jesse Smith. "He richly deserves this honor."

Dan Ready of the JCJC Board of Trustees presents A.B. Howard with a glass crystal commemorating the renaming of the gymnasium in Howard's honor. Ready also played for Howard at JCJC.

Photos/Shawn Wansley, JCJC Sports Information

Erie Community College has two top-ranked teams in the country for the first time in school history as the hockey team and men's basketball team both are atop the NJCAA National rankings in polls released February 9, 2010.

The hockey team returned to the top ranking, a spot they had held earlier in the season but dropped after a decisive loss to Monroe Community College.

They regained that top billing with a 5-1 win over Monroe at the Cheektowaga Recreation Center February 2. The Kats are 2-1 against Monroe this season and 15-4 overall.

The team is led by returning All-American Daniel Wendt who is second in the country in scoring with 53 points, (25 goals and 28 assists). Fellow sophomore Ryan Vertino is second on the team and fifth in the NJCAA in scoring with 39 points.

Backstopping the team is Bryan Kalcyznski with a 13-3 record and 1.98 goals against average. He also has a save percentage of .919.

The team has five remaining games overall. The Kats have three remaining Region 3 games, two versus Hudson Valley to end the season at home February 21-22, and a February 13 date at Broome. If they sweep those, they clinch the top seed in the NJCAA Tournament and the Region 3 championship.

The men's basketball team, led by Head Coach Alex Nwora, is ranked first in the country for the first time in school history with a record of 23-1.

The team is 3-0 versus teams ranked in the top five this season with two wins over Monroe Community College and a win over Columbus State. Monroe was ranked first and third when Erie defeated them and Columbus State third.

Tola Lawal lead the team in scoring at 16.7 points per game and also averages 3.1 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game. The returning second-team All-American also just scored his 1,000th career point, joining just 11 other players who have accomplished the feat.

Lawal stands seventh on the school's all-time scoring list and trails Kats Assistant Coach Edmund Rainey by just 120 points. Rainey scored 1,161 in his two seasons at Erie.

God's Gift Achiuwa has been the surprise of the Western New York Conference this season, averaging 13.7 points and 13.7 rebounds per game. He also averages 2.2 blocks per game as well. The 6'9 freshman hails from Nigeria, West Africa.

The Kats have three remaining games before the Region 3 tournament. They need one win to clinch the top seed in that tournament.

(Mattoon, Ill., Feb. 6) - With a 90-76 victory over Lakeland College on Saturday evening, the Southwestern Illinois College men's basketball team was able to get Jay Harrington his 700th career victory at the junior college level.

Now in his 31st season as the head coach at SWIC, Harrington pushed his career record to 714-409 as the Blue Storm improved to 18-5 overall. SWIC also maintained its one game lead over Wabash Valley for second place in Great Rivers Athletic Conference play at 8-2.

A native of Kentucky, Harrington was inducted into the NJCAA Basketball Hall-of-Fame in 2002. Since 1980, he has also served as the college's athletic director. Harrington ranks 5th all-time among NJCAA active coaches.

Freshman forward Walter Hill (Gainesville, Ga./East Hall) scored 14 of his game-high 20 points in the second half to allow the Blue Storm to lead by as many as 24 late in the contest. Sophomore guard Tommy Pelczynski (Dixie, Ill./Nashville) added 18 points, while sophomore point guard Mykel Cleveland amassed 16 points for SWIC.

In the first half, Southwestern Illinois had a 12-2 lead with just over 15 minutes remaining in the period. After a slight run by Lakeland, the Blue Storm would see their lead extended back to ten, 31-21, on a lay-up by Pelczynski. After a basket by the Lakers cut the lead to five points, SWIC would close out the first half on a 8-3 run. A driving lay-up at the buzzer by Leverette gave the Blue Storm a 43-33 advantage at the intermission.

Bryon Wright led Lakeland with 17 points while Travis Scott added 13 points for the Lakers in a losing cause.

The Blue Storm completed the regular season sweep of Lakeland College in the win on Saturday. SWIC won 67-56 at home on Jan. 6.

On Wednesday, Southwestern Illinois will travel to Ina, Ill. to face GRAC foe Rend Lake College. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

The home winning streak for the basketball team stands at 49 as of February 1, 2010. The last time a Jefferson College Lady Vikings basketball team lost a home game was January 21, 2006.

As amazing as this statistic seems, it gets better. . .when the Lady Vikings play on an opposing team's home floor, they also win those games. The regular season, road game winning streak has now reached 45 games, and since February 25, 2006, the only time the Lady Vikings have lost is when they play a team at a neutral location (and they are not too shabby there either). The only loss in 2009-10 came at a neutral site when the Vikings lost to Tallahassee Community College.

Viking Head Women's Basketball Coach Kevin Emerick points to the four year neutral court record of 26-10 as his only problem. "We need to stop playing neutral court games," he joked. Emerick, of course, agrees that he would not want to eliminate neutral court games due to the fact that a majority of Jefferson College's neutral court contests have been played in the post season, eventually leading to games in the NJCAA Women's Division I National Tournament. It was last season, in the 2009 Women's NJCAA National Tournament, that the Vikings finished as runner up to NJCAA National Champion, Central Arizona College.

Emerick, who is in his fourth season as Viking head coach, has an overall record of 114-10. This distinction makes Emerick the NJCAA's most successful coach in the last four years. He has been selected as Midwest Community College Athletics Conference Coach of the Year, NJCAA Region 16 and NJCAA District Coach of the Year for three straight seasons. Obviously Emerick can coach. Interestingly though, he is quick to downplay his role in this success and points to the assistant coaches that have helped him recruit many great players that have worn the Viking uniform as the reason for such an amazing record.

"Without the benefit of hard working and knowledgeable assistant coaches, our team would not have been so successful," said Emerick. The current coaching staff includes first year assistant Kristin Moore, veteran assistant Doc Caranza, and Emerick's wife, Anna Fabatz-Emerick. "Each of us possess varied skills as coaches and it is that diversity that makes us effective," said Emerick.

Like most coaches, Emerick is not as interested in the past as he is the future and he is most concerned about how to get his current team to improve on their 18-1 overall record. With that kind of approach, it is likely that the Jefferson College Lady Vikings Basketball team will continue their streak and take their team to a fourth NJCAA Region 16 title and a another appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament. Sometimes it's difficult to stop something once it gets started!

By Steve Carpenter, HCC Sports Information Director

The coach who brought Hutchinson Community College its first national basketball championship in 1988 will become the HCC Quarterback Club's Hall of Fame 10th member on Saturday night.

Dave Farrar will be inducted into the Quarterback Club Hall of Fame in a halftime ceremony of Saturday's Hutchinson-Cloud County game at the Sports Arena. Game times on Saturday are 5:30 for the women and 7:30 for the men.

The induction ceremony will be the finale of a weekend of activities that will honor Farrar, who guided the 1988 Blue Dragons to its first of two NJCAA national championships.

On Friday night, the Quarterback Club will have a banquet for Farrar at 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Prairie Hotel and Convention Center. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the HCC Athletic Office in the Sports Arena and at all Dillons stores.

On Saturday, Farrar will be available for autographs and to speak to at the annual Blue Dragon Chili and Homemade Pie feed, which is from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Sports Arena small gym. Admission to the chili and pie feed are $6 for adults, $4 for children eighth grade and under and children preschool and younger are free.

Farrar coached five seasons at Hutchinson from 1986 to 1991. He ranks fourth in career victories, going 137-33 at Hutchinson. Farrar led Hutchinson to three Jayhawk West championships and a pair of Region VI crowns.

But it was the 1987-88 season that was Farrar's crowning achievement while with the Blue Dragons.

HCC set a school-record in victories going 37-2, winning the Jayhawk West outright. HCC then defeated Garden City, Barton County and Independence to win Region VI. The Dragons had to win a bi-district game against Seminole State to earn a trip to the NJCAA Tournament.

Farrar's 1988 Blue Dragons defeated Chipola (70-64), Shelby State (97-90) and Mattatuck (86-63) to earn a berth in the championship game.

The Blue Dragons defeated Kankakee 76-74 in the championship game.

He was named the 1988 NJCAA Coach of the Tournament as well as the 1988 Kodak Junior College Coach of the Year.
After Hutchinson, Farrar was head coach at Middle Tennessee State and the University of Idaho. He is currently the associate athletic director at Jacksonville State University.

Farrar will join Charles Sesher, Bill Goldsmith, Terry Masterson, Ruby Munzer, Gary Bargen, Gene Keady, Sam Butterfield, Willie Adkins and John Matous in the Quarterback Club Hall of Fame.

The 1,000th win for the men's basketball program at Morton College certainly will go down as one of its most dramatic.

Sean Posey's steal in the closing seconds saved the Panthers' 87-86 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference win over Moraine Valley January 12 at the Cyclone Center in Palos Hills. Moraine was attempting to get the ball inside to 6-8 Dwight McCombs, but Posey, called on to double team, intercepted the pass as the Panthers dribbled out the clock.

"One possession determined the game today," said Morton College coach Frank Lollino Jr., who won at Moraine Valley for the first time in his three years at helm. "We also used a total team effort to get the school its 1,000th victory. This certainly was a hard-fought win."

The Panthers became the first Illinois Skyway men's basketball program to reach 1,000 wins. Morton College is also the third community college in Illinois to attain this milestone, joining Lincoln and Wabash Valley.

Entering the 2009-10 season, only 26 community colleges boasted men's basketball programs with 1,000 or more wins. Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, Iowa, is the NJCAA's all-time win leader with 1,546 victories.

In 86 seasons of fielding men's basketball, the Panthers' overall record is 1,000-1,055. Morton College has won 11 conference championships and made three appearances in the national tournament.

Morton College's 1,000th win also put the Panthers at 2-0 in the conference and 12-6 overall. Both of Morton College's wins have come against the two perennial powers in the Illinois Skyway - Waubonsee and Moraine Valley. It also was Morton College's fourth straight win and seventh in its last eight games.

A number of NCAA Division I head coaches were on hand at the Cyclone Center, including Loyola-Chicago's Jim Whitesell, UIC's Jimmy Collins and Western Michigan's Steve Hawkins. Assistant coaches from Eastern Kentucky and Valparaiso were on hand as well.

They didn't walk away disappointed as a number of players from both sides performed well. Posey (four three-pointers) and Jerome Robinson led the Panthers with 20 points apiece, while 6-8 sophomore center Dorian Tyler added 13 and Grant Smith, 11. T.J. Malone (eight points) played a solid game at the point guard and Kentrall Wilson (seven points) provided sound defense and rebounding.

It was Malone's two free throws with 1:24 that put the Panthers on top to stay at 87-85. The Panthers shot 74 percent from the free-throw line by connecting on 25 of 34 attempts to counter Moraine Valley's nine three-pointers.

Lollino also praised the efforts of Jeff Jackson (five points), Dionta Moore and Marvell Wesley. All three, according to Lollino, gave the Panthers valuable minutes in reserve roles.

Lollino thanked Moraine Valley's athletic department for giving the Panthers the game ball and making the announcement that it was Morton College's 1,000th victory in program history.

The Panthers host Elgin at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, January 14, in an Illinois Skyway matchup at the Henry J. Vais Gymnasium on the Morton College campus in Cicero.

San Jacinto College men's basketball Head Coach Scott Gernander notched his 600th career win Tuesday night. Photo credit: Amanda L. Booren, San Jacinto College marketing department.

Now in his 23rd season at the helm of the San Jac (14-1) men's basketball program, Gernander has built San Jacinto College into a national powerhouse. Since arriving at the Central campus prior to the 1987-88 season, he's taken his teams to eight conference titles and eight National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) tournaments, finishing as the national runner up twice. He owns an overall record of 600-149.

Gernander's protégé's include former NBA All-Stars Steve Francis and Sam Cassell. Francis spent over 10 years in the NBA, helping the Houston Rockets to an NBA championship, while Cassell guided Houston to back-to-back championships, and most recently won a title with the Boston Celtics. Since he took over the San Jac program, 53 of his players have gone on to continue their education and basketball careers at four-year institutions.

A native of Minnesota, Gernander was inducted into the NJCAA Men's Basketball Hall of Fame in March 2007. Later that same year, his alma mater, the University of Minnesota at Duluth (UMD), inducted him into its Hall of Fame. Gernander holds a bachelor's degree in physical education from UMD and a master's degree in education from the University of Minnesota.

Gernander ranks 11th all-time among NJCAA active coaches.

In the win, sophomore Carrington Tankson led San Jac with 20 points. Freshman Lorenzo Freeman added 15 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, and Daryell Taylor knocked in 16 points.

San Jacinto College serves more than 27,000 students in more than 140 degrees and certificates in university transfer and technical programs. The College also serves the community through workforce training. Students come with various goals and aspirations and we are committed to their success. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

For more information about San Jacinto College athletics, visit www.sanjacsports.com. For more information about San Jan College, visit www.sanjac.edu or call 281-998-6150.

INA, Ill. - Rend Lake College sophomore Eric Ellington has moved up to #1 on the latest NJCAA wrestling polls.

The national rankings, released today by the NJCAA, have Ellington moving up one spot in the 133-pound division and RLC at 13th as a team.

"I think the rankings are correct. I think he is the best Juco kid in the country," said RLC Coach Kevin Tate.

The news comes one week before Ellington becomes RLC's lone representative in the Midlands Championships at Northwestern University. Tate said Midlands is the showpiece of Rend Lake's wrestling schedule this season, aside from the NJCAA national championships in 2010. It is a true open tournament with 32 wrestlers per weight class appearing by invitation only. Another Warrior, Jo-E Smith (Vandalia, Ill.) was also invited, but had to decline after going on medical red shirt for the year.

"I'm really looking forward to Midlands," Tate said. "This is the most prestigious wrestling tournament in the country. There will be gold medalists and national champions there."

Ellington, a 20-year-old from East St. Louis Senior High School in Illinois, has won the 133-pound class in all but one tournament so far in the 2009-10 season, including a first-place finish against four ranked competitors at the Art Kraft Memorial Open, Dec. 12, in River Grove, Ill. The one that got away so far this season was the Mizzou Open where Ellington took sixth place against Big 10 and Big 12 starters. He is a NJCAA All-American after coming in third at last year's national championships as a freshman.

Tate said he thinks Ellington is wrestling as well or better than any junior college wrestler in the nation. He said hard work and a little growing up is what is putting him over the top this season.

"I think a lot of his success has to do with maturation. He has accepted that he has the God-given talent. Now, he knows he can have the mental edge as well. We talk about it all the time before he goes on the mat. I tell him to never respect the kid he is wrestling, to just go out and take it to him. I honestly believe he feels that now."

With the national championships still months away, Tate said it is hard to predict where Ellington will be at that time. "Timing is a big part of winning a national championship. It's about being healthy and everything coming together at the right time."

First things first. Midlands in eight days.

"It's an honor to just be invited," Tate said. "But you don't just want to be invited. You want to go up there and win some matches."

For all things athletic at RLC, visit the college online at www.rlc.edu/warriors.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Steve Carpenter, Kirkwood Public Information; (319) 398-4939
Kathy Visser, Kirkwood Ag Science: (319) 398-5609