Women's Basketball Defeats Kilgore
Article Courtesy of Phil Hicks, Tyler Morning Telegraph
Nautica Grant navigated her way to 32 points to spark the Tyler Junior College Apache Ladies to a 92-67 victory over rival Kilgore College Saturday afternoon at Wagstaff Gymnasium.
Grant was sizzling from the start and throughout the game. The 5-5 sophomore guard from Dallas was 6 of 9 from 3-point land and was 4 for 4 at the free throw line.
"When Nautica is confident we just tell her to shoot," said TJC coach Trenia Tillis-Jones, whose club won their fifth straight game to improve to 13-2 overall and 4-1 in Region XIV. "She has a beautiful shot."
Along with Grant, Lakendra Bassett (14 points) and Sky'lynn Holmes (10) were in double- digit scoring for TJC.After a slow start in which Kilgore (11-3, 3-2) was winning the boards by 10 in the first quarter, the Apache Ladies got in gear and eventually out-rebounded the Lady Rangers 42-33.
Holmes had a double-double with 13 rebounds, while Catherine Okwilagwe had six blocks.
Kilgore's Da'Jah Thompson, a former Robert E. Lee standout and the 2016 KC Homecoming Queen, scored four points.KC's Danielle Meader had 18 points, of which 15 were in the first half. Tori Thompson added 17 with Lyrick Williams tossing in 16.
Tillis-Jones like the way her club competed.
"We have been just concentrating in practice on how to make us a better team," she said. "That is our concerned, how can we improve."
SMOKE SIGNALS: The Apache Ladies return to play on Wednesday, hosting Paris Junior College at 5:30 p.m. The Apaches meet San Jacinto in the second game at 7:30 p.m. … The men also play on Monday, traveling to Brenham to meet Blinn College in a 7 p.m. game. … Kilgore plays host to Bossier Parish on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. … The Apache Ladies were 17 of 23 from the free throw line, while the Lady Rangers were 13 of 26.
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Region XIV Women's Conference
Tyler Junior College 92,
Kilgore College 67
Kilgore 16 17 16 18 - 67
Tyler 15 22 21 34 - 92
KILGORE-Lyrik Williams, 16; Courtney Parramore, 1; Da'Jah Thompson, 4; Richelle Velez, 8; Danielle Meader, 18; Alexus Moore, 3; Alicia Mardis, 0; Marianna Witt, 0; Trinity Tullis, 0; Jade Thurmon, 17; Tori Thompson, 0.
TYLER-Nautica Grant, 32; Lakendra Bassett, 14; Jordan Towery, 9; Erin Smith, 7; Jordan Campbell, 3; Antionette Shrepee, 7; Catherine Okwilagwe, 7; Sky'lynn Holmes, 10; Erykah Campbell, 0; Victoria Blankenship, 3.
THREE POINT GOALS-KC: Velez (2), Meader, Moore. TJC: Grant (6), Bassett (2), Towery, Smith, J,. Campbell.
TECHNICALS-Kilgore administrative.
FOULED OUT-KC: T. Thompson.
RECORDS-Kilgore 11-3 (3-2), Tyler 13-2 (4-1).
NEXT UP-Bossier Parish at Kilgore, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday; Paris at Tyler, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.