Apache Ladies 102, advance to quarterfinals
Written by Phil Hicks, phicks@tylerpaper.com
Freshman guard Victoria Kemokai set the fast pace early and the Apache Ladies followed as No. 11 Tyler Junior College shocked No. 6 College of Southern Idaho, 102-81, in a second round game of the NJCAA Women's National Basketball Tournament in Salina, Kan., on Wednesday.
Kemokai scored 28 points, including 15 in the first eight minutes of the game, to lead the Apache Ladies to the big win at the Bicentennial Center.
TJC (30-5) advances to the quarterfinals to meet No. 3 Hutchinson (Kan.) (33-0) at 7 p.m. tonight. The winner earns a semifinal spot at 8 p.m. Friday.
Not only did her team win, but TJC coach Trenia Tillis-Jones was named a finalist for the inaugural Pat Summitt Trophy to be presented to the 2014 Russell Athletic WBCA Junior/Community College National Coach of the Year during the NCAA Final Four in three weeks in Nashville, Tenn.
That was icing on the cake as she was so happy with the performance of her high-flying Apache Ladies.
"Victoria, Victoria, Victoria!," Tillis-Jones said. "The kids bought into the scouting report and left it all on the court.
"We had to be the aggressors and play 94 feet of pressure defense. So proud of this group."
TJC raced out to a 34-13 lead and didn't look back.
Kemokai also had eight steals, four assists and five rebounds.
With Kemokai scoring from the outside, it opened the inside for Catilyn Ramirez, who had 19 points.
Brittny Norris had 17 points, while Bria Emanuel nearly had a double-double with 15 points and nine boards.
TJC scored an incredible 64 points before halftime.
Patrice Toston led the Golden Eagles with 22 points, while Holly Blades had 16.
Southern Idaho ends its season at 29-4.
The Apache Ladies hit 21 of 27 free throw attempts and was 5 of 12 from 3-point land.
CSI was 12 of 21 at the charity stripe and 3 of 10 from long distance.
SMOKE SIGNALS: About being finalist for the Pat Summitt Trophy, Tillis-Jones said, "Shock! This would be a major coaching accomplishment." … Hutchinson advanced to the quarterfinals with a 77-68 overtime win over No. 19 Northern Oklahoma-Enid.
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No. 11 Tyler Junior College 102, No. 6 College of Southern Idaho 81
TYLER — Brittny Norris, 17; Bria Emanuel, 15; Caitlyn Ramirez, 19; Shernise Robertson, 5; Victoria Kemokai, 28; Malena Washington, 6; Katelynn Johnson, 0; Amber Driver, 5; Jasmine Prophet, 4; Chelsi Watson, 3.
SOUTHERN IDAHO — Zuleka Grinsell, 2; Julia Dufurrena, 5; Patrice Toston, 22; Holly Blades, 16; Elisabet Lopez-Sagrera, 9; Alli Furniss, 0; Cassidy Jones, 0; Jackie Macias, 0; Mclain Williams, 2; Rachelle Owens, 7; Sarah Larson, 8; Brittany Wirth, 3; Stephanie Toumson, 5; Kayla Stephens, 2.
HALFTIME SCORE — Tyler 64-40.
THREE POINT GOALS — TJC: Norris (3), Ramirez, Kemokai. CSI: Dufurrena, Toston, Blades,
RECORDS — Tyler 30-5, Southern Idaho 29-4.
NEXT UP — Tyler vs. Hutchinson (Kan.), 7 p.m. Thursday; Southern Idaho season complete.
Complete article can be found at: http://www.etfinalscore.com/ET-Basketball/196702/apache-ladies-102-advance-to-quarterfinals