Cougar Beat -- Issue 10, March 16

This Week in Cougar Athletics

COUGAR BEAT

Western Nebraska Community College

March 16, 2018 Issue 10

Back on Top

Region IX Champions

What’s In A Number

10 The number of home runs the Cougar baseball team has hit through games played March 14.

Jonathan Bermudez leads the team with four dingers. __________________

11 The number of home runs the WNCC softball team has hit through games played March 14.

Michaela Kelly leads the team with five round-trippers. __________________

55 Combined wins between the men’s and

women’s basketball team as they head into nationals. __________________

421 The number of made free throws the

Cougar women have made this season. The Cougar women are 421 of 637 for 66.1 percent. Karli Seay leads the team with 119 made charity tosses. __________________

497 The number of made free throws the Cougar men have made after the regional tournament.

The Cougar men are 497 of 644 from the line this year for 77.2 percent. Vinnie Shahid has made 164 free throws.

Cougar Athletics Upcoming Events Friday, March 16

l Baseball Away at GateWay C.C. Phoenix, 11 a.m.

l Baseball Away at Phoenix College., Phoenix, 1 p.m.

l Softball Away at Navarro College, Texas, 12 p.m.

Saturday, March 17

l Baseball Away at Mesa C.C., Mesa, Arizona, 1 p.m.

Monday, March 19

l Men’s Basketball Away at NJCAA Tournament, Hutchinson, Kan.

11 a.m. vs. Holmes Community College VIDEO: http://njcaatv.com/landing/index Tuesday, March 20

l Men’s Basketball Away at NJCAA Tournament, Hutchinson, Kan.

l Women’s Basketball Away at NJCAA Tournament, Lubbock, Texas

11 a.m. vs. Tallahassee Community College VIDEO: http://njcaatv.com/landing/index Wednesday, March 21

l Men’s Basketball Away at NJCAA Tournament, Hutchinson, Kan.

l Women’s Basketball Away at NJCAA Tournament, Lubbock, Texas Thursday, March 22

l Men’s Basketball Away at NJCAA Tournament, Hutchinson, Kan.

l Women’s Basketball Away at NJCAA Tournament, Lubbock, Texas Friday, March 23

l Men’s Basketball Away at NJCAA Tournament, Hutchinson, Kan.

l Women’s Basketball Away at NJCAA Tournament, Lubbock, Texas Saturday, March 24

l Men’s Basketball Away at NJCAA Tournament, Hutchinson, Kan.

l Women’s Basketball Away at NJCAA Tournament, Lubbock, Texas Wednesday, March 21

l Softball HOME vs. Northeastern J.C., Sterling, Colo., 2 p.m.

Thursday, March 22

l Softball Away vs. Iowa Western, North Platte, Neb., 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 24

l Softball Away at Trinidad State, Trinidad, Colo., 2 p.m.

l Baseball HOME vs. Trinidad State, Cleveland Field, 1 p.m. DH Sunday, March 25

l Softball Away at Lamar C.C., Lamar, Colo., 11 a.m.

l Baseball HOME vs. Trinidad State, Cleveland Field, 1 p.m.

Tuesday, March 27

l Softball Away vs. Iowa Western C.C., 12 p.m.

l Baseball Away at McCook C.C., McCook, Neb., 2 p.m.

Friday, March 30

l Softball Away at Otero J.C., La Junta, Colo., 3 p.m.

l Baseball HOME vs. Lamar C.C., Cleveland Field, 1 p.m. DH

Saturday, March 31

l Softball Away at Otero J.C., La Junta, Colo., 11 a.m.

l Baseball HOME vs. Lamar C.C., Cleveland Field, 1 p.m.

Back on Top

WNCC men win three at regionals, including topping Otero Junior College for first regional title since 2001 The WNCC men’s basketball team earned a trip to the national tournament with a thundering second-half performance in capturing the Region IX title with a come-from-behind 86-78 win over Otero Junior College Saturday evening in La Junta, Colorado.

The Region IX championship is the first for the men’s team since the early 2000s, earning the Cougars the automatic berth into the national tournament that begins March 19 in Hutchinson, Kansas.

“This is an amazing moment for a group of family members to share together,” second-year WNCC head coach Cory Fehringer said. “To have the baseball team involved as well as the traveling families, parents, and fans involved made it all the special.”

While the win is huge for a Cougar team that has been thriving to get back on top, the win was especially emotional for Fehringer, who won his first regional title and he did it with his 2-year-old son, Lawrence, on the bench.

“To have my baby boy in my arms for my first Region IX title and the opportunity to take him to Kansas, I can’t say thank you enough to our boys for handling that business,” he said.

The last time WNCC competed in the national tournament was 2003, but afterwards the college had to forfeit the season and the regional title. The last Region IX championship trophy hanging on the walls of Cougar Palace dates back to 2001.

That is why Saturday’s regional title is special. And it was won because of a strong second half.

Fehringer said the key was the first five minutes of the second half and the Cougar players took care of business.

“Otero was 10 of 17 from the 3-point line in the first half and we kept reminding the players that clip wasn’t going to continue and eventually the tide turned,” Fehringer said. “Our team had to come out in the first five minutes and set a tone. I don’t know what the run was to start, but we went on a big run right away to take a lead.”

WNCC trailed 50-40 at halftime and

The Cougar men celebrate their first Region IX title since 2001 after topping Otero Junior College 86-78 in the title game at La Junta, Colorado. WNCC will be the 15th seed in the national tournament. started the second half on a 11-0 run to grab a 51-50 lead behind a Jervay Green 3-pointer and an old-fashioned 2-point play by Djodje Dimitrijevic.

From there it was a battle as Otero came back to grab a 71-66 lead. It was from that point on that the Cougars defense, and offense ignited, outscoring the home-standing Rattlers 20-7.

A big run came when the Cougars scored 13 straight points to grab a 79-71 lead on a Trent Harris bucket. Otero sliced the lead to 81-78. That was when Dimitrijevic came up big, nailing an off-balanced 3-pointer in the corner for the 2-point lead to give the Cougar men’s program their 12th regional title.

Fehringer said Djordje Dimitrijevic came up big in the final minutes. Dimitrijevic “Djordje made a corner three that was huge,” he said. “We talked about Djordje having some ups and downs throughout the year but his consistent work ethic never stops. We talked about it in August that we

Region IX Basketball Titles Men’s Championships 1979, 1981, 1982, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2018

thought Djodje would hit a shot to lead the team and tonight he followed through on the prediction six months ago.”

WNCC outshot and out-rebounded the Rattlers. The Cougars shot 56 percent from the field and were 12 of 29 from beyond the arc. The Cougars were just 10 of 17 from the charity stripe.

Otero shot 40 percent from the field and was 14 of 30 from beyond the arc. Otero nailed 10 treys in the first half, but only nailed four in the second half.

Rebounding also proved large. WNCC pulled down 34 rebounds, 32 of which were on the defensive end. Otero had 27 rebounds for the game.

Story continued on next page

WNCC men, women host McCook in first-round games Story continued from previous page WNCC had four players score in double figures. Dimitrijevic led the way with 22 points followed by 18 from Martin Roub, 15 from Martin Sierra, and 12 from Jervay Green.

Roub led the team in 3-pointers with four followed by three from Green and two from Dimitrijevic.

Fehringer said they will now enjoy this for a while and then get back to work.

“We are going to get home and celebrate with the Cougar fans, Cougar community, the college, and then get back to work,” he said.

WNCC 99, Sheridan 87 Djordje Dimitrijevic poured in 30 points and the WNCC men won the semifinal game against Sheridan College 99-87 on March 9.

Dimitrijevic, who had the hot hand Friday night a day after Jervay Green had the hot hand on Thursday in a win over Central Wyoming, said they always battled back, especially haver tailing 40-35 in the first half.

Trailing by five, the Cougars tied the game at 44 and then took a 47-46 halftime lead after a 3-pointer.

WNCC came out with plenty of energy in the second half, outscoring the Generals 52-41.

WNCC held a slim 59-55 lead and that was when the Cougars put the game out of reach, going on a 13-0 run to plead 72-55 pm a Dimitrijevic trey.

Sheridan tried coming back, slicing the lead to 84-79 and trailed 87-83 late, but WNCC went on a 10-0 run behind a 3-poinger by Vinnie Shahid and back to buckets by Dimitrijevic for a 97-83 lead.

“We have to defend and rebound and everything else will take care of itself,” he

The men’s basketball team pose with the trophy and the bracket after they received a welcoming home reception on Sunday, March 11. (photo by Morgan Wallace). said. “It feels great to be playing for a title. We worked hard all year and we knew we could go to the championship and win it.

We lost a couple games during the year but then we came back and we are ready to play our best basketball in March.”

WNCC 77, Central Wyoming 67 Jervay Green poured in 35 points and the WNCC men’s basketball team won their first game in the Elite Eight of the Region IX tournament with a 77-67 win over Central Wyoming College on March 8.

The Cougars did start a little slow in the contest. Trailing 1614, the Cougars went on a 11-0 run behind a couple treys from Green to move the score to 2516. Central Wyoming sliced the lead to 27-24 at one time but a 3-pointer by Trent Harris helped the Cougars get back on track and lead 37-27 at the half.

Green had the hot hand from beyond the arc with seven

Fans wait for the Cougar bus as the men came home with the Region IX trophy for a welcoming home reception on Sunday, March 11. (photo by Morgan Wallace).

3-pointers. Djordje Dimitrijevic had two while Harris had one.

Green wasn’t just hot from beyond the arc, he also had four field goals and was 6 of 8 from the free throw line. Green also had a double-double, pulling

down 10 rebounds, while also dishing off four assists.

Harris was the only other Cougar in double digits, finishing with 14 points. Dimitrijevic tallied eight, while Vinnie Shahid, Marlon Sierra, and Martin Roub all had six points.

Cougar men seeded 15th at national tourney, will face Holmes Community College on March 19

After over 15 years away from the NJCAA national tournament, the Western Nebraska Community College men’s basketball team will be making a return trip to the big show after capturing the Region IX title Saturday with an 86-78 win over Otero Junior College Monday morning the Cougar men learned their fate at the national tournament, garnering the 15th seed and will face the 18th seed Holmes Community College out of Goodman, Mississippi. Holmes is 24-4 on the season while the Cougars enter regionals at 26-7.

The Cougars will kick off the tournament Monday at 11 a.m. MST. The winner will play Northwest Florida State, the second seed, on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

WNCC coach Cory Fehringer said it is just another game on their schedule now.

“We will take it just as it is part of our schedule,” Fehringer said. “Holmes is on our schedule now so we will watch film and perform the best as we can. We just have to stick to what we do without getting caught up to what the opponent is doing at Hutch.”

Region IX got two teams in the national tournament as Otero Junior College, who the Cougars beat for the Region IX title 8678, earned a 19th seed and will face No. 14 Motlow State, on Tuesday at 9 a.m.

Indian Hills earned the overall top seed.

The other seven teams that earned a firstround bye include No. 2 Northwest Flori-

da State, No. 3 Vincennes, No. 4 Salt Lake Community College, No. 5 Coffeyville Community College, No. 6 Florida Southwestern, No. 7 Odessa, and No. 8 Eastern Florida State.

WNCC and Holmes brings two different styles of basketball to the court. WNCC is a high-scoring machine who is one of the top offensive 3-point shooting teams in the nation. Holmes brings a team that is one of the top defensive teams as well as one of the nation’s best in shutting down the 3-pointers.

“What we have seen so far is that they are fast, they are scrappy, and they are athletic,” Fehringer said. “They are going to press you, but we will take our chances with our full court press and take our chances with our offense.”

Fehringer said his team is ready for the Hutch and the way they performed at the regional tournament shows the commitment this team has to be successful.

“It does put a lot of pressure on your shoulders individually and collectively to go out on the road and it tough to go to La Junta and when three and then facing the host game in the third game,” he said. “That show a lot of the grit in the locker room to take care of business on the road. But we expected to go down there and win. So, there is some relief that it is over and we are headed to Hutch, we are also comfortable in our shoes because this is the situation we

feel comfortable of being in.”

Fehringer said he expects a good following to Hutchinson next week as several people have called him about tickets and rooms.

“Some of the good ole boys have made a request for tickets for down at Hutch and other people talked about hotel stays,” he said. “I think the NJCAA will be happy that Western Nebraska is back in the tournament because I think we will travel well and put together a good amount of people in the stands. A lot of people are going down there as supporters and believers.”

NJCAA Men’s National Tournament First Round Matchups Monday, March 19 No. 16 Barton vs. No. 17 Tyler, 9 a.m.

No. 9 Trinity Valley vs. No. 24 Baltimore City, 11 a.m.

No. 15 Western Nebraska vs. No. 18 Holmes, 1 p.m.

No. 10 Southern Idaho vs. No. 23 Snead State, 3:30 p.m.

No. 13 South Plains vs. No. 20 Highland (Ill.), 5:30 p.m.

No. 12 Connors State vs. No. 21 Central Georgia Tech, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 20 No. 14 Motlow vs. No. 19 Otero, 9 a.m.

No. 11 Hutchinson vs. No. 22 Cape Fear, 11 a.m.

Cougar men give back to fans with community bbq

Cougar Men Season Recap Result Won (1-0)

Lost (1-1)

Won (2-1)

Lost (2-2)

Won (3-2)

Won (4-2)

Won (5-2)

Won (6-2)

Won (7-2)

Won (8-2)

Won (9-2)

Won (10-2)

Won (11-2)

Won (12-2)

Won (13-2

Won (14-2)

Lost (14-3)

Lost (14-4)

Final Halftime Opponent.............................................................................Date 120 - 54 55 - 25 Little Big Horn College..........................................................11/3 High Scorers: Shahid 23, Green 22, Dimitrijevic 15, Roub 14, Bender 13, Harris 11 High Rebounders: Green 10 98 - 106 49 - 44 College of Southern Idaho....................................................11/4 High Scorers: Shahid 26, Dimitrijevic 21, Harris 18, Roub 11 High Rebounders: Shahib 5 92 - 87 47 - 57 College of Southern Idaho..................................................11/10 High Scorers: Shahid 21, Dimitrijevic 21, Green 15, Roub 11, Harris 11 High Rebounders: Shahib 8, Sierra 8 94 - 105 42 - 55 Salt Lake Community College............................................11/11 High Scorers: Sierra 26, Sanchious 14, Harris 13, Shahid 12, Roub 10 High Rebounders: Harris 9 87 - 82 44 - 27 Central Wyoming College................................................11/17 High Scorers: Sierra 18, Harris 14, Rajanovic 14, Dimitrijevic 10, Roub 10 High Rebounders: Sierra 5 100 - 82 57 - 46 Western Wyoming Community College..........................11/18 High Scorers: Shahid 21, Dimitrijevic 19, Sanchious 15, Green 14, Harris 13 High Rebounders: Sierra 8 97 - 88 41 - 43 Frank Phillips College......................................................11/24 High Scorers: Dimitrijevic 25, Green 21, Sierra 17, Shahid 15 High Rebounders: Sierra 7 113 - 81 52 - 23 Nebraska All-stars............................................................11/25 High Scorers: Harris 16, Sanchious 16, Rajanovic 15, Hoffman 13, Cherry 13 High Rebounders: Sierra 9 106 - 67 41 - 27 Williston State College.....................................................11/27 High Scorers: Harris 21, Shahid 19, Green 17, Dimitrijevic 14, Sanchious 12 High Rebounders: Sierra 9 107 - 87 51 - 38 Northeastern Junior College................................................ 12/1 High Scorers: Shahid 27, Sierra 23, Dimitrijevic 18, Harris 10 High Rebounders: Sierra 9 102 - 70 40 - 19 Casper College................................................................... 12/5 High Scorers: Shahid 26, Harris 20, Dimitrijevic 17, Sierra 14 High Rebounders: Sierra 14 129-111 58 - 43 Eastern Wyoming College................................................ 12/9 High Scorers: Shahid 32, Dimitrijevic 27, Sierra 26, Green 13, Roub 11, Rajanovic 11 High Rebounders: Green 7, Sierra 6 88 - 83 54 - 46 Western Wyoming Community College............................. 12/15 High Scorers: Shahid 21, Green 21, Roub 19 High Rebounders: Green 5, Dimitrijevic 5, Sanchious 5 103 - 85 63 - 45 Central Wyoming College.................................................. 12/16 High Scorers: Sierra 21, Green 18, Shahid 17, Roub 17, Dimitrijevic 13 High Rebounders: Sierra 9 113 - 97 48 - 40 Laramie County Community College................................. 1/5 High Scorers: Shahid 29, Dimitrijevic 24, Green 20, Sierra 18, Roub 10 High Rebounders: Sierra 11 91 - 74 57 - 42 Triinidad State Junior College............................................ 1/6 High Scorers: Harris 18, Roub 17, Dimitrijevic 16, Green 13, Shahid 13, Sierra 12 High Rebounders: Sierra 6, Green 6 79 - 84 31 - 44 Casper College...................................................................... 1/8 High Scorers: Shahid 26, Green 17, Dimitrijevic 13 High Rebounders: Sierra 10 81 - 85 OT 31 - 35 Otero Junior College............................................................ 1/12 High Scorers: Dimitrijevic 25, Shahid 18, Sierra 14, Green 12 High Rebounders: Sierra 7, Green 6, Harris 6

Cougar Men Season Recap (continued) Won (15-4)

Won (16-4)

Won (17-4)

Won (18-4)

Won (19-4)

Lost (19-5)

Lost (19-6)

Won (20-6)

Lost (20-7)

Won (21-7)

Won (22-7)

Won (23-7)

Won (24-7)

Won (25-7)

Won (26-7)

108 - 83 56 - 39 Lamar Community College.................................................. 1/13 High Scorers: Harris 26, Green 20, Roub 19, Siera 16, Shahid 10 High Rebounders: Sierra 5, Gillion 5 110 - 55 50 - 24 North Platte Community College...................................... 1/19 High Scorers: Shahid 29, Green 22, Harris 20, Sierra 14, Hoffman 11 High Rebounders: Sierra 9, Roub 7 90 - 85 34 - 48 McCook Community College............................................ 1/20 High Scorers: Harris 22, Green 17, Shahid 14, Sierra 11, Dimitrijevic 10 High Rebounders: Sierra 6, Green 6 97 - 92 49-32 Northeastern Junior College............................................ 1/27 High Scorers: Shahid 17, Dimitrijevic 14, Rajanovic 14, Roub 13, Harris 13, Sierra 11, Green 10 High Rebounders: Green 10, Sierra 7, Dimitrievic 7 106 - 73 55 - 33 Eastern Wyoming College..................................................... 2/3 High Scorers: Harris 24, Roub 16, Sierra 15, Green 11 High Rebounders: Rajanovic 8, Harris 6, Roub 6 72 - 81 38-35 Trinidad State Junior College................................................ 2/9 High Scorers: Shahid 16, Harris 15, Dimitrijevic 10, Rajanovic 10 High Rebounders: Sierra 8, Harris 7 80 - 98 33 - 47 Laramie County Community College................................... 2/10 High Scorers: Shahid 21, Green 16, Harris 14 High Rebounders: Shahid 5, Sierra 5, Rouib 5 93 - 82 45 - 50 Lamar Community College............................................... 2/16 High Scorers: Harris 25, Shahid 17, Green 13, Sierra 12 High Rebounders: Green 7 82 - 86 41 - 48 Otero Junior College......................................................... 2/17 High Scorers: Sierra 21, Green 19, Shahid 16, Rajanovic 11 High Rebounders: Sierra 8, Green 8, Rajanovic 6 77 - 65 46 - 25 McCook Community College............................................... 2/23 High Scorers: Shahid 18, Harris 15, Green 11, Sanchious 10 High Rebounders: Dimitrijevic 5.

86 - 58 42 - 31 North Platte Community College......................................... 2/24 High Scorers: Shahid 21, Green 13, Sierra 12, Harris 10 High Rebounders: Sierra 10 116 - 61 58 - 34 McCook Community College.............................................. 3/3 High Scorers: Jarros 23. Greem 2-. Sjajod 17, Roub 14, Dimitrijevic 13, Hoffman 10 High Rebounders: Green 5 77 - 67 37 - 27 Central Wyoming College...................................................... 3/8 High Scorers: Green 35, Harris 14 High Rebounders: Green 10 99 - 87 47 - 46 Sheridan College................................................................... 3/9 High Scorers: Dimitrijevic 30, Roub 17, Shahid 16, Green 14 High Rebounders: Sierra 10 86 -78 40 - 50 Otero Junior College............................................................ 3/10 High Scorers: Dimitrijevic 22, Roub 18, Sierra 15, Green 12 High Rebounders: Sierra 10, Green 7

Cougar Women Season Recap Result Won (1-0)

Lost (1-1)

Won (2-1)

Won (3-1)

Won (4-1)

Won (5-1)

Won (6-1)

Won (7-1)

Lost (7-2)

Won (8-2)

Won (9-2)

Won (10-2)

Won (11-2)

Won (12-2)

Won (13-2)

Won (14-2)

Won (15-2)

Lost (15-3)

Won (16-3)

Final Halftime Opponent.............................................................................Date 102 - 26 72 - 18 Little Big Horn College..........................................................11/3 High Scorers: Kadic 17, Agorakis 16, Wiehl 15, Silva 14, Johnson 10 High Rebounders: Agorakis 15, Wiehl 14 49 - 69 20 - 39 College of Southern Idaho....................................................11/4 High Scorers: Silva 11, Seay 10 High Rebounders: Seay 6, Silva 6 107 - 50 62 - 24 Nebraska All-stars..............................................................11/7 High Scorers: Kadic 25, Wiehl 19, Wiberg 16, Avery 14, Silva 12 High Rebounders: Perez 5 65 - 53 32 - 23 Iowa Western Community College.....................................11/10 High Scorers: Wiehl 17, Avery 17, Kadic 14 High Rebounders: Wiehl 6 61 - 58 37 - 30 Johnson County Community College.................................11/11 High Scorers: Seay 24, Avery 15 High Rebounders: Avery 8, Silva 8, Seay 7 111 - 50 65 - 27 Little Big Horn College........................................................11/17 High Scorers: Silva 20, Wiehl 17, Agorakis 13, Kadic 12, Wiberg 10, Avery 10 High Rebounders: Silva 11 70 - 50 34 - 23 Sheridan College................................................................11/18 High Scorers: Wiehl 16, Silva 12, Kadic 10, Avery 10 High Rebounders: Silva 6 67 - 66 28 - 37 Utah State-Eastern.............................................................11/24 High Scorers: Wiehl 16, Seay 12, Avery 10 High Rebounders: Avery 5, Silva 5 70 - 82 42 - 33 Salt Lake Community College............................................11/25 High Scorers: Wiehl 19, Kadic 15, Seay 14 High Rebounders: Wiehl 6 98 - 35 64 - 15 Williston State...................................................................11/27 High Scorers: Wiehl 23, Johnson 14, Kadic 12, Seay 10, Perez 10 High Rebounders: Wiehl 6 85 - 56 36 - 23 Sheridan College..............................................................11/29 High Scorers: Avery 18, Kadic 16, Johnson 10 High Rebounders: Kadic 6, Avery 5, Silva 5, Perez 5 81 - 63 42 - 33 Northeastern Junior College................................................ 12/1 High Scorers: Wiehl 19, Seay 18, Kadic 12, Avery 11, Silva 10 High Rebounders: Silva 10, Wiehl 7, Avery 7, Kadic 6 77 - 72 33 - 30 Casper College................................................................... 12/5 High Scorers: Wiehl 18, Seay 18, Kadic 16 High Rebounders: Wiehl 11, Silva 6 74 - 64 35 - 19 Eastern Wyoming College................................................ 12/8 High Scorers: Johnson 19, Silva 16, Wiehl 12, Wiberg 12 High Rebounders: Wiehl 11, Silva 9, Johnson 6, Kadic 5 100 - 55 52 - 23 Northwest Tech Kansas J.V................................................ 1/4 High Scorers: Wiehl 21, Kadic 18, Avery 17, Silva 16 High Rebounders: SIlva 13, Avery 9, Johnson 6, Agorakis 6 94 - 69 49 - 28 Laramie County Community College................................. 1/5 High Scorers: Wiehl 24, Kadic 22, Johnson 11, Silva 10, Agorakis 10 High Rebounders: Wiehl 8, Avery 8, Kadic 7, Silva 6, Agorakis 5 82 - 57 41 - 27 Trinidad State Junior College............................................. 1/6 High Scorers: Kadic 19, Wiehl 14, Avery 14, Seay 13 High Rebounders: Avery 10, Silva 10, Wiehl 5 67 - 82 25 - 37 Casper College...................................................................... 1/8 High Scorers: Seay 20, Kadic 14, Wiehl 11 High Rebounders: Kadic 8, Agorakis 6, Johnson 5 76 - 44 27 - 24 Otero Junior College............................................................ 1/12 High Scorers: Kadic 15, Wiehl 13, Silva 12, Seay 11, Johnson 10

Cougar Women Season Recap (continued)

Won (17-3)

Won (18-3)

Won (19-3)

Won (20-3)

Won (21-3)

Won (22-3)

Won (23-3)

Won (24-3)

Won (25-3)

Won (26-3)

Won (27-3)

Won (28-3)

Won (29-3)

Lost (29-7)

High Rebounders: Avery 9, Silva 6, Johnson 6, Kadic 6, Agorakis 5 82 - 59 45 - 36 Lamar Community College.................................................. 1/13 High Scorers: Wiehl 22, Kadic 13, Avery 12, Johnson 11, Seay 11 High Rebounders: Avery 10, Wiehl 7 107 - 32 63 - 17 Nebraska All-stars............................................................. 1/16 High Scorers: Avery 24, Kadic 21, Wiehl 21, Silva 17, Agorakis 14 High Rebounders: Silva 10, Wiehl 7, Agorakis 7 115 - 56 61 - 29 McCook Community College............................................ 1/20 High Scorers: Avery 19, Seay 18, Wiehl 15, Silva 15, Kadic 13, Perez 12, Johnson 10 High Rebounders: Silva 9, Seay 6, Avery 5, Agorakis 5.

94 - 59 51 - 24 Northeastern Junior College............................................ 1/27 High Scorers: Kadic 23, Wiehl 16, Silva 13, Seay 11.

High Rebounders: Silva 11, Wiehl 5, Seay 5.

92 - 81 38 - 41 Eastern Wyoming College..................................................... 2/3 High Scorers: Seay 48, Avery 16, Kadic 11.

High Rebounders: Agorakis 11, Avery 8, Perez 5.

101 - 57 46 - 23 Trinidad State Junior College................................................ 2/9 High Scorers: Wiehl 23, Kadic 22, Seay 14, Avery 12, Johnson 11, Silva 11 High Rebounders: Wiehl 8, Avery 7, Seay 5, Johnson 5, Silva 5, Langton 5 78 - 60 39 - 34 Laramie County Community College................................... 2/10 High Scorers: Wiehl 26, Seay 14, Kadic 11 High Rebounders: Silva 15, 95 - 52 43 - 25 Lamar Community College............................................... 2/16 High Scorers: Wiehl 22, Avery 18, Seay 18, Kadic 13 High Rebounders: Silva 9, Wiehl 8, Langton 6, Avery 5 79 - 39 40 - 20 Otero Junior College......................................................... 2/17 High Scorers: Kadic 22, Avery 15, Wiehl 14, Seay 13 High Rebounders: Silva 11, Avery 9, Seay 6, Wiehl 6, Wiberg 5, Kadic 5 94 - 65 44 - 32 McCook Community College............................................... 2/23 High Scorers: Wiehl 21, Kadic 20, Seay 13, Silva 12 High Rebounders: Wiehl 8, Silva 8, Agorakis 6 87 - 55 39 - 26 McCook Community College................................................. 3/2 High Scorers: Wiehl 22, Avery 21, Kadic 12 High Rebounders: Silva 8, Seay 6, Wiehl 5, Agorakis 5 80 - 62 46 - 24 Sheridan College................................................................... 3/8 High Scorers: Seay 23, Wiehl 14, Silva 10, Kadic 10 High Rebounders: Avery 10, Johnson 6, Silva 6 67 - 62 30 - 23 Northwest College................................................................. 3/9 High Scorers: Seay 34, Avery 12, Wiehl 10 High Rebounders: Silva 14, Wiehl 9, Avery 8 75 - 85 30 - 38 Casper College.................................................................... 3/10 High Scorers: Seay 30, Wiehl 17, Kadic 11 High Rebounders: Silva 9

WNCC women finish 2nd at regional tourney The WNCC women’s basketball team came up short of back-to-back titles, falling to Casper College 85-75 Saturday in the finals of the Region IX tournament in Casper, Wyoming.

With the win, Casper earns the automatic berth in the NJCAA national tournament March 19-24 in Lubbock, Texas. For the Cougar women, who dropped to 29-4 on the season, they ended up earning an atlarge berth to the national tournament.

Despite the setback, head coach Chad Gibney was pleased with how his team played.

“I am proud of the group that we have,” he said. “They represented us really well in the classroom, on the floor, in the community. They were a tightknit group that would do anything for each other. It was good to see a team that was so selfless and willing to sacrifice for one another.”

Gibney is hoping the girls get another chance with an at-large berth. For now, it is a wait-and-see situation for the women.

But, Gibney said, if they do go to nationals in back-to-back years, it would say something about the program.

“It would show that we are starting to get recognized nationally and that we are not only prestigious regionally but also someone to be reckoned with on a national level,” he said.

Saturday was just not in the cards for the Cougar women. Casper led from start to finish in the contest. Casper held a 15-12 lead after the first quarter. WNCC cut the led to 15-14 in the second quarter, but just couldn’t get any story of scoring spree going.

“We never got a basket or a stop when we really needed to to put some game pressure on them,” he said. “We did play a decent game. They hit some timely shots and we didn’t hit any. It just seemed when they needed to make a play they did so. They are a good basketball team.”

WNCC trailed 38-23 in the second quarter before closing out the period on a 7-0 run behind two treys from Merle Wiehl to trail 38-30 at halftime.

The third quarter saw WNCC cut the lead to four points, 44-40, and even five points, but Casper always had an answer to lead 58-49 after three.

The fourth quarter saw both teams put up points with the two squads coming on 53 fourth quarter points. Casper outscored

WNCC’s Karli Seay looks to pass against the defense of a Sheridan player. WNCC topped Sheridan in the quarterfinals. (photo courtesy of Casper College) WNCC 27-26 in the final 10 minutes.

Karli Seay led the way with 30 points, including 9 of 11 from the charity stripe.

Wiehl added 17 points with five 3-pointers, while Melisa Kadic had 11 points.

WNCC 67, Northwest 62 Karli Seay scored 34 points and the Western Nebraska Community College women’s basketball team punched their ticket to the Region IX championship game with a 6762 win over Northwest College Friday evening in Casper, Wyoming.

“It is a huge win. It gives us an opportunity to play for a region championship tomorrow [Saturday],” WNCC coach Chad Gibney said. “I am proud of the girls for showing mental and physical toughness in a very close, physical game. We are very excited to play for a championship.”

Seay was the big scorer for the Cou-

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Melisa Kadic brings the ball up during the championship game with Casper College on March 10.

WNCC women’s basketball finishes second at regionals Story continued from previous page gars. Not only was she high scorer with 34 points, but she made all the team’s points in the second and third quarter. The freshman from Chicago connected on three threes and was 9 of 13 from the charity stripe.

WNCC defense down the end was the key to the game. Northwest took its first lead of the game at 56-55. Both teams were tied at 62 with 90 seconds to play. That is when the Cougars defense clapped down holding Northwest down.

Seay also connected on 5 of 6 free throws while also getting two big steals to seal the win.

WNCC put three in double figures. Seay led all scorers with 34 points. Jaleesa Avery poured in 12 points and pulled down eight boards, while Merle Wiehl had 10 points and nine rebounds.

Giovanna Silva a team-high 14 rebounds while scoring eight points.

WNCC only shot 32 percent from the field and made 5 of 19 treys. Seay had three while Wiehl had two.

Northwest shot 35 percent from the field and buried seven 3-pointers. The Trappers, who lost to the Cougars in the regional tournament for the second straight year, had four in double figures. Julynne Da Silva had a double-double to lead the team with

11 points and 10 rebounds. Alexi, Payne, Carri McArthur, and Dallas Petties each had 10 points.

WNCC 80, Sheridan 62 Karli Seay finished with 23 points and the 22nd-ranked WNCC women’s basketball team moved into the semifinals of the Region IX tournament with an 80-62 win over Sheridan College on Thursday at Casper College in the quarterfinals of the regional tourney.

Seay said that they need to keep playing strong in the semifinals because Northwest is a good ball club. WNCC beat Northwest last year in the regional tournament quarterfinals in overtime.

“We almost lost to them the first round last year so we know they will come out for revenge,” she said. “We just have to play Cougar basketball and play our game. It’s not about them, it’s about us,” WNCC played extremely well in the first half, running to a 30-12 lead after the first quarter. WNCC finished the first half on an 8-0 run behind four points from Seay, and a bucket each from Giovanna Silva and Anastacia Johnson.

WNCC kept playing strong in the second quarter, rolling to a 46-24 halftime lead. WNCC went into the locker room on a high after Eva Langton blocked a Sheridan shot.

WNCC kept playing tough in the third quarter as they built a 55-26 lead and led by 29 points, 62-33, on a Seay 3-pointer.

WNCC led 73-40 after three periods.

WNCC outshot and out-boarded Sheridan in the game. The Cougars shot 47 percent compared to 39 percent for the Generals. WNCC also won the rebounding edge 47-37.

The Cougars depth and quickness was key all night. WNCC had 20 fast break points to just six for Sheridan. WNCC also won the paint, scoring 54 points from inside to just 26 for Sheridan. WNCC rebounding edge was also crucial as the Cougars had 19 second-chance points to just four for the Generals.

WNCC had four players in double figures. Seay led the charge with 23 points followed by 14 from Merle Wiehl and 10 points each from Melisa Kadic and Giovanna Silva.

WNCC also won the turnover battle, forcing 22 General turnovers.

Now the Cougars are in the semifinals and it is something that is not new for the team. WNCC has reached the Region IX title game 20 times in the last 27 years, capturing 13 regional titles.

Melisa Kadic 10, Merle Wiehl 14, Jaleesa Avery 9, Anastacia Johnson 8, Giovanna Silva 10, Sophie Agorakis 4, Karli Seay 23, Eva Langton 2.

Future Cougars — Early signings for 2018-19 Volleyball Adia Sherbeyn.................Torrington, Wyoming Gabriela Canavati...................... Laredo, Texas Ana Costas......................Caguas, Puerto Rico Leslie Mamai Lagafuaina.............Aiea, Hawaii Santana Monroe...... Greenwood Village, Colo.

Amryi-Grace Paris................... Kapolei, Hawaii Men’s Soccer Saul Aguilar.......................... Aurora, Colorado Scott Dike.................... North Platte, Nebraska Wilmer Hernandez...........Lexington, Nebraska Ricardo Martinez.......................Reno, Nevada Bryan Mejia.....................Lexington, Nebraska Jorge Pojas-Pimental...........Denver, Colorado Hector Rufferman........... Centennial, Colorado Arcy Rufferman............... Centennial, Colorado Women’s Soccer Bethany Fuchs............... Centennial, Colorado Purta Guzma Ruvalcaba...... Aurora, Colorado Laramie Lake...................Cheyenne, Wyoming Lesly Miranda Limon............Denver, Colorado

Amy Romero-Avila................ Aurora, Colorado Melody Kaup........................Gering, Nebraska Merissa Espinoza...................Scottsbluff, Neb. Softball Lindsey Allie...................................Toole, Utah Hannah Baesler..............Northglenn, Colorado Emma Flynn.................... Longmont, Colorado Brianna George....................... Plain City, Utah Kendall Glasgow............. Ft. Collins, Colorado Emma Glawson........Victoria, British Columbia Hayley Gordon.........Victoria, British Columbia Sidnee Hogan....................South Jordan, Utah Jaila Johnson......................... Niwot, Colorado Ashtyn Meibos......................... Plain City, Utah Mykell Mills........................ Spanish Fork, Utah Peyton Propp...................Lakewood, Colorado Devon Rees..............Victoria, British Columbia Madison Simons........................... Salem, Utah Baseball\ Garrett Declue................ Centennial, Colorado Michael Felton...................Loveland, Colorado

Dermos Fritsch...................Brisbane, Australia Kyler Harris............................. Magnolia, Texas Ethan Miller....... Greenwood Village, Colorado Mitch Millen..........Highlands Ranch, Colorado Joseph Olson.......................... Olathe, Kansas Paul Panduro..................Scottsbluff, Nebraska Avery Peterson................ Longmont, Colorado Matthew Womack...........................Katy, Texas Chandler Young............... Ft. Collins, Colorado Women’s Basketball Taylor Joplin..................Garden Plain, Kansas Marisol Silva...........Albuquerque, New Mexico Yuliyana Valcheva................... Varna, Bulgaria Men’s Basketball

WNCC earn at-large bid to national tournament The Western Nebraska Community College women’s basketball team was on pins and needles waiting to see if they would earn an at-large into the NJCAA National Tournament after falling to Casper in the Region IX title game.

During the Monday morning selection show the nerves were apparent as they sat and watched 22 names pop on the screen and not seeing WNCC. Finally, as the last pairing was released, the room went from utter quietness to screams of joy. WNCC earned a spot in the national tournament as the 22nd seed in the national tournament that begins Monday in Lubbock, Texas.

It was hard for the team to set and wait, but they didn’t let the hope fade.

“We were all really nervous. You could tell,” Merle Wiehl, the freshman from Germany said. “We were the last team to get in and we were super excited.

“Everyone wants to go to the national tournament and we were all sad when we didn’t make it as the champion of the regional tournament. This just shows what we did this season in that all the games you played at the beginning of the year helped us get this bid into the national tournament. When we beat Iowa Western in the beginning and beat them there, helped us now in getting into the tournament.”

WNCC will face Tallahasee Community College in the first round on Tuesday, March 30 at 11 a.m. MST. WNCC enters the tournament with a 29-4 record while Tallahassee, who also earned an at-large bid, comes in at 24-6.

This is the second straight year that WNCC has appeared in the national tournament and the fifth time in six years.

WNCC head coach Chad Gibney said it was a long weekend waiting for the morning selection show.

“It is a great feeling. I am just so thrilled for our girls to have to have the opportunity to play at the national tournament. It is an experience they will never forget. The ball bounced the right way today because of how we performed throughout the season.

The best part for Gibney was seeing the smiles and tears of joy on his players faces after they saw Western Nebraska pop up on the TV screen. Yesterday was a long Sunday and I am happy it was a morning selection show for sure.”

“It is just accelerating. I don’t know if there are words to describe that feeling,” he

WNCC women’s basketball players Eva Langton and Olivia Wiberg are nervous as they watch the women’s basketball selection show on March 12. After nearly 30 minutes, the Cougars nervousness turned to joy as they made the national tournament. said. “It is a testament of your body of work throughout the season and how you handle yourself game after game after game. In tournament play you don’t know what will happen and you want to put yourself in position to get a bid which we were able to do with our performance throughout the year.

WNCC’s bid to the national tournament might have come down to an early-season match-up with Iowa Western Community College, which the Cougars beat 63-53 in November. Iowa Western, who was ranked 16th in the final rankings, was left off an atlarge bid. Other teams that didn’t get an atlarge bid and ranked higher than WNCC included No. 17 Collier County and No. 18 Florida Southwestern.

WNCC enters the national tournament as the same seed as they were ranked in the final polls at No. 22. No. 19 Hutchinson and No. 20 Panola also earned at-large bids.

Casper College, who topped the Cougars 85-75 in the regional tournament title game, earned the No. 10 seed and will face No. 23 South Georgia Tech on Monday at 3 p.m.

Shelton State was the overall No. 1 seed with a 33-0 record. The other seven firstround byes went to No. 2 Gulf Coast Community College, No. 3 Moberly Area, No. 4

Jones County, No. 5 Cochise, No. 6 Wabash Valley, No. 7 Seward County, and No. 8 New Mexico.

Wiehl said this team is thankful for a second chance and they hope to make the most of it.

“We are focused and we want to play good basketball. We want to play our style of basketball, Wiehl said. “I think what is good for us is we don’t have the feeling of the pressure we might have had against Casper. We can just play and enjoy it.

2018 Women’s National Tournament First Round Pairings Monday, March 19 No. 16 Hartford vs. No. 17 Odessa, 9 a.m.

No. 9 Salt Lake vs. No. ASA Brooklyn, 11 a.m.

No. 15 San Jacinto-North vs. No. 18 Hutchinson, 1 p.m.

No. 10 Casper vs. No. 23 South Georgia Tech, 3 p.m.

No. 13 NE Oklahoma vs. No. 20 Trinidad Valley, 5 p.m.

No. 12 Walters State vs. No. 21 North Dakota State Science, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, March 20 No. 14 Northwest Florida vs. No. 19 Panola, 9 a.m.

No. 11 Tallahassee vs. No. 22 WNCC, 11 a.m.

Q&A with Sophie Agorakis Sophie Agorakis comes to WNCC from down under or otherwise known by Melbourne, Australia. Agorakis is a sophomore and is a key player off the bench in the forward position. Here is a conversation I had with Sophie What as your two years at WNCC been like?

Sophie: My two years have been incredible.

Wouldn’t change it for anything. The people, have been amazing and the basketball with these group of girls have been phenomenal.

What does it mean to be going to the national tournament for a second straight year?

Sophie: It really is an achievement itself making it to the national tournament. A lot of work has been put into this team on and off the court so to make the national tournament is just an amazing experience and opportunity. It allows us to be seen and the national tournament recognizes the hard work everyone put into this team.

What is it like to compete at nationals?

Sophie: Nationals is another level higher.

Throughout November we had a very hard schedule of games that our coach scheduled for us and now we couldn’t have been happier because it has helped prepare us to be on the road, play hard teams and get through adversity. Everyone in the national tournament deserves to be there and it will for sure be everyone’s time competing so another level of intensity comes alive at nationals.

What does the team have to do to win at nationals?

Sophie: All our team has to do is play our game. When we run the floor and hustle after the ball and sit down and defend we play at our best. We know what we need to do and I’m sure the job will get done. We need each and everyone on this team to win.

What kind of a season has the team had this year?

Sophie: We have had a really amazing season. We have faced adversity, hard work and managed to keep our grades and keep a winning streak for the whole season. We are all very close and I believe that has had

a huge contribution to the way we play of the court and handle our business in the community.

What have been the memories that you will remember while here?

Sophie: My memories will be the people, friendship and relationships I have created with people. Never in my life have I shared a room or been with the same people who just love the same thing you do and enjoy your friendship. Playing the basketball games are also so enjoyable because of how hard we work at practice! But for me it’s the people I share these moments with that make these memories special.

How much have you improved your basketball while over here?

Sophie: I believe my game has improved so much. I have developed a lot of confidence and can finally shoot the ball outside of the paint. I now feel wherever I go that I can just keep improving thanks to WNCC. What is your role on the team?

Sophie: My role on the team is the silent leader. I like to lead by example and make sure that I can do everything I can to make sure everyone is enjoying the self and to help if any problems arise. I try to make sure everyone works their hardest Every time they approach the court and in the classroom. It is hard for everyone being away from home, but as an international I can relate very well to a lot of girls to comfort them. My goal has always to be approachable and someone that The team can count on, and I hope I was able to be that someone this year.

What is it going to be like when you graduate in May from WNCC? Sophie: Personally, it will feel very strange graduating. I still feel like I barely finished high school, let alone move to another country to already graduate just hasn’t registered. But when I do, I will be so proud and appreciative to the community and everyone who helped us graduate and our journeys so wonderful.

If you could tell a recruit about WNCC and the basketball program, what would you say?

Sophie: To any future recruits I would

WNCC Sophie Agorakis shows emotion after the women’s basketball team was selected to participate at nationals. say prepare to work. Our program is one with high standard of work ethic, enthusiasm and effort. You don’t have to be the best shooter or the best ball handler but what you have to be is someone who just loves the game and wants to get better.

That’s what makes WNCC so special because 100% of the team has to give their best everyday, and when we do that’s where the magic happens. This also applies to the classroom, and you don’t have to be the smartest person or someone who takes an enormous amount of credits, but you jut have to try your 110% you do.

What are your plans after WNCC? Sophie: I plan to continue my journey at a four-year school. I love basketball and the game and my original plans were to come to WNCC and go play basketball at home.

However, this experience has been so amazing it has pushed me to strive higher, get my degree and play basketball at a professional level.

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Q&A with Sophie Agorakis Story continued from previous page What is it like to meet all the different players and make new friends at college?

Sophie: WNCC has made me meet life long friends I will never ever forget. I have been blessed for a community family to take me in as their own and it has given me a reason to come back and travel the world. These people you meet you do everything together, so to be away from them still really is daunting but I could be be more happier and thankful to have these people in my life.

What are the humorous things that you will take from your time here?

Sophie: For sure the inside jokes I have with the team and friends. We all live in a dorm so we all share experiences that build our relationships. These funny things could range from trying to perfect a skill in front of a recruitment coach or locking yourself out of the dorms in the snow. Too much occurs on and off the court that I will cherish forever.

Is it hard being over here away from Family?

Sophie: I was very reluctant to come to USA just because it was so hard being away from home. This is my first time being away from home let alone moving here

for nine months at a time. It is very difficult and there are some moments in my time here where it has been difficult. But with the technology of Facebook and FaceTime, it’s just like talking to them at home without the physicality.

Also, something I’ve learned is that everyone is away from home; we are all experiencing the same thing and something I am grateful of that I learned is to share my experience and feelings with others.

It picks us all up and makes me feel not alone. In the end I came here to conquer

my dream and that’s always enough to think about whenever I feel homesick.

Again dorm families have been a huge help for me and I couldn’t be more grateful for what they have helped me achieve and do.

Anything else?

Sophie: these two years no matter where I go will always be remembered. I am thankful, lucky and just so blessed to have met the people and been through what I have here.

$100 Club Monthly Winners

September Winners

$150 — Kimberly Belford, ..............Ft. Collins, Colorado $100 — Jeff Peck, .............................. Gering, Nebraska $50 — Shawn Hergenreder, ..............Scotsbluff, Nebraska

October Winners

$150 — Sabrina Kadic, .................. West Valley City, Utah $100 — Roxie Shaul, ................................. Gering, Nebraska $50 — Scott & Amy Winters, ................ Scottsbluff, Nebraska

November Winners

$150 — Joan Koehler.......................... Gering, Nebraska $100 — Lynn Wolworth..............................Mitchell, Nebraska $50 — Rudy & Angie Hernandez................ Gering, Nebraska

December Winners

$150 — CedJuan Johnson.............Centennial, Colorado $100 — Scott Winters........................... Scottsbluff, Nebraska $50 — Jane Spillman.......................................... Hyrum, Utah

January Winners

$150 — Yvette Morales....................... Gering, Nebraska $100 — Gil Magdeleno................................ Gering, Nebraska $50 — Werner Liehl.................................................. Germany

February Winners

$150 — Brad Shaul............................. Gering, Nebraska $100 — Peyton Simmons...........................Gordon, Nebraska $50 — AJ Jackson....................................... Denver, Colorado

March Winners

$150 — Joyce Gibney.........................Lincoln, Nebraska $100 — Doretta Fernandez......................................Utah $50 — Jack Berg........................... Bridgeport, Nebraska

Each month the winners will be announced here as well on the WNCC athletic website at wnccathletics.com

Scottsbluff ’s Merrissa Espinoza signs her letter of intent to play soccer at WNCC next year on March 14. Espinoza will be a defender for the Cougars.

Scottsbluff’s Espinoza inks with women’s soccer Bearcat defender inks with Cougars

Scottsbluff ’s Merrissa Espinoza has been a hard-nosed defender for the Bearcat girl’s soccer team the past three seasons and she will get to continue playing the sport she loves at the next level after signing to play with Western Nebraska Community College women’s soccer for the next two years.

For Espinoza, it was an easy decision.

“Coach Rasnic was talking to me about it my junior year. He has been around and knows my family on my dad side. My cousin [Adrian Veliz Smith] played there and tells me how good a team it was. Later on I went on to watch them play to see how good of a connection they had. Also, it is really close to home because I am a homebody. I just wanted to be close to my family and it sounded like a really good team to be a part of.”

Espinoza said that the biggest thing is she gets to keep playing soccer.

“It is really exciting. I am kind of short so to go against bigger girls will be excit-

ing. I am aggressive and like to play clean but sometimes if you take out a bigger girl it is satisfying. Sorry, I am just kind of person. It will be nice and my family can come and see me play at a bigger level. It is a really good accomplishment.

Espinoza said that having her teammates here for support means the world to her.

“It means everything. The seniors. Especially my cousin Breana Villagrana. We have been through so much. And to everyone that supports me and pushes me to be the person I want to be. My team is a second family to me.”

Espinoza has been one of those players that isn’t to get physical on the pitch and her high school coach Chad Larson said he appreciates a player like Espinoza.

“I am extremely proud of her. I have known Merrissa since she was a seventh grader,” Larson said. “I have had her in class

and her work ethic has continually has gotten better and better over the years. Day in and day out she puts in the work. I know how special this is for her and I am proud of her and her family.”

Larson said her play on the field is unreal.

“She knows her strengths and she knows her weaknesses,” he said. “She knows how to play both of those. I think the thing that impresses me the most since her freshman year is, being a defender, sometimes you get under pressure and you could panic and she doesn’t panic. She is always calm and collected. She plays very smooth and with her part of my back line I am not ever worried when the ball goes to her side.”

Rasnic said he is excited to be getting a player like Espinoza.

“I think you saw why I wanted her to come play for me. She’s got the heart and if she believes in what she is doing, she will fight for you and that is what I need,” he said. “I need players that will come in and be tenacious defenders but play from with-

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Scottsbluff’s Espinoza inks with women’s soccer Story continued from previous page

in. I really enjoy having players and personalities that really drive them in leaning toward the team. She is the type of student athlete that will be that kind of player for me. I think she will be that student athlete that will be kind of player.

“The other thing that drew me to her is last year when we came out to practice in the spring, she had an open period in school and I saw her at the soccer field every day running and putting in work. You see kids putting in work when the coach is staring right on top of them. Kids that are giving the effort when no one is looking, that is the kid that is dedicated to what they are trying to accomplish in life. So, I think, as some level they need to be awarded. I think she will come in and be a valuable player for us.”

Espinoza, who plans on going into social work, is a person that cares about other people. That is why she picked social work.

“A lot of people have told me that it is low pay but I want to make a difference in this world,” she said. “Those kids go through a lot. I want to help them out.”

Merrisa Espinoza stands with her high school coach Chad Larson and college coach Todd Rasnic.

Cougar softball at home

From opposing high schools to teammates Harris, Hoffman battled each other in high school and now the Scottsbluff and Gering graduates helped lead Cougars to regional title Scottsbluff ’s Trent Harris and Gering’s Austin Hoffman competed against each other a number of times in high school.

Now, the two are teammates for the WNCC men’s basketball team and the two 3-pointer shooters have helped the Cougars to their first Region IX title since 2001.

Harris, who is in his third year at WNCC after red-shirting his first year, said going to nationals means a lot.

“It means a lot to be going to the national tournament for me as well as the city of Scottsbluff,” he said. “All of our hard work definitely payed off.”

Hoffman, who transferred back to WNCC after a year at Nebraska Wesleyan, has just one year at WNCC. Hoffman said winning a regional title for him is special since he never won a championship in high school.

“It means a lot to go to the national tournament, and represent the community here,” Hoffman said. “This is something the community has been waiting for a while and to be a hometown kid and to have this opportunity means a lot.”

Hoffman said winning his first title is something special.

“The championship means a lot, especially to do it with this group of guys,” Hoffman said. “We all come from different places, and when you see us together you would never know. The bond between this team is crazy.”

Hoffman said transferring back to WNCC was one of the best things he could have done.

“I’m so glad I transferred back. This community, the guys, and the coaching staff have all really made it special for me to come home,” he said. “Being a part of this team has led me to create a bond with my teammates that will last a lifetime. These guys are some of my best friends, and are like family. I wouldn’t change a thing. Also

being able to come away as a champion is a pretty special thing to take away too.”

Harris and Hoffman, along with the rest of the Cougar team, will open nationals at 11 a.m. on Monday against Holmes Community College. The team needs to keep winning to make the stay in Hutchinson, Kansas, a long one.

Both agree that they have to play their

game.

“At nationals we definitely have to come to play because every team is going to be good,” Harris said. “We just have to do what we are used to and that is defend and knock the net out.”

Hoffman said they just need to keep

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From opposing high schools to teammates Story continued from previous page playing like they have and not change anything.

“We just have to play the way we do, and rebound the ball,” he said. “When we defend and rebound, there is no doubt in my mind we can bring this home.”

The two high school rivals turned teammates and best friends have made a lot of 3-pointers not only in high school but college.

Harris has made 89 3-pointers this season, second on the team. He is averaging 13.4 points a game. Harris has made 136 treys in his two seasons at WNCC and scored 721 points.

Hoffman, in just one season, has made 15 3-pointers in a back-up role.

But both players know their roles and take their roles on the team with pride.

Hoffman said the team is having a great season, since basketball is a team game.

“We are having a great season. I’ve had nothing but fun with this group of guys, and I wouldn’t trade this feeling for anything,” he said. “I’ve grown so much as a player this year with the quality of players that we had on the team. The players and coaches push me to be my best every single day.”

Harris said he has grown as a player and that red-shirt year has paid dividends.

“I feel like I’m having my best season ever,” he said. “Sitting out a year definitely helped me a lot and I feel like I keep improving my game every year.”

And, by Harris red-shirting one year, that gave him a chance to be teammates with Austin. Both say it is weird that crosstown rivals are not teammates and heading to the national tournament.

“Playing against Austin in high school was always a challenge because we knew he was a scorer so the plan was always to stop him but I never would have thought that we would be playing together in college,” Harris said. “He has become one of my best friends I’m glad that he came to WNCC.” Hoffman said it is weird to be teammates with Harris.

“It’s kind of crazy actually because we had so many games that were fun to play in but we’ve always been opponents so to have the opportunity to win a championship with somebody who had been my rival for as long as I can remember is something

really special for both of us.”

Both players have respect for each other, too. Harris said Hoffman is a great player and he gives is all in practice.

“Austin is definitely a great player,” he said. “He is a challenge to guard every day in practice and he always puts the team before himself.”

Hoffman describes Harris as a very supportive teammate.

“Trent is a great player and great teammate,” he said. “He is always really supportive of all of us guys. He is a great scorer and defender. He plays hard every time he is on the court that is why he is a special player.”

The two reflect back on their high school days and they remember many games when the two sharpshooters went head-to-head.

“I remember most playing against him my junior year when his team was really good,” Harris said. “I talk trash to him all the time about how we beat them in the district championship that year.”

Hoffman said playing Scottsbluff was always intense.

“It was intense. Trent and I had quite a few games where we went back and forth.,” he said. “Trent was always somebody I looked forward to playing against because he is a great player and it made for a really fun atmosphere and great competition.”

While Harris had many high school celebrations and Hoffman not, the two got to celebrate together when they came back to knock off the homestanding Otero Junior College Rattlers 86-78 for the regional title.

Harris said the hard work during the season paid off.

“When the final seconds ticked off the clock, I couldn’t believe we had won,” he

said. “I just remembered how much work we put in during my two years and everything that Coach Cory talked about came true.”

For Hoffman, he was cheering his team from the bench and he just wanted to celebrate a championship.

“The only thing that was running through my mind was that we were champions,” Hoffman said. “All I wanted to do was celebrate with my coaches and teammates.”

Well, the two did celebrate. And for Harris, he got a Region IX championship just like his dad, Anthony Harris, did when he played for the Cougars in 1993.

“My dad always tells me the stories about his old Cougar teams,” Harris said. “He was just as happy as we were when we won the championship.”

Cougar baseball in Arizona for Spring Break

Photos Courtesy of Angie Hernandez

Good Luck to the Cougar Women and Men at the NJCAA National Tourney March 19-24

WNCC Athletes of the Week

-- Female Athlete of the Week for Week Ending March 11 --

Women’s Basketball Team — The whole team performed well all season finishing with a 29-4 record and a runner-up finish at the regional tournament. Because of their stellar season and runner-up finish, the Cougars earned an at-large bid into the national tournament. WNCC will face Tallahassee Community College. WNCC is the 22nd seed in the tourney and Tallahassee is the 11th seed. WNCC will play Tuesday at 11 a.m. MST. Female Aug. 27........Brooke Kaawa, Vball Sept. 4...... Genesis Benitez, Vball Sept. 14... Jayme Commins, Vball Sept. 21.... Kadara Marshall, Vball Sept. 28......Syenna Masaki, Vball Oct. 1....... Joise Maldonado, Vball Oct. 8...........Sarena Bartley, Vball Oct. 16.......Morgan Smith, Soccer

Oct. 22.........Brooke Kaawa, Vball Oct. 29........Syenna Masaki, Vball Nov. 5.................. Volleyball Team Nov. 12............ Karli Seay, Wbball Nov. 26......... Merle Wiehl, Wbball Dec. 17.Anastacia Johnson, WBB Jan. 7..............Melisa Kadic, WBB Jan. 14................Karli Seay, WBB Jan. 21..........Jaleesa Avery, WBB Feb. 4...............Karlie Seay, WBB Feb. 11............. Merle Wiehl, WBB Feb. 25.....Giovanna Silva, WBB4 March 11.......Women’s Basketball

-- Male Athlete of the Week for week ending March 11 -Men’s Baketball team — The team made big history last week when they captured the Region IX title with an 86-78 win over Otero Junior College. This is the first regional trophy that will be hung on the wall since 2001. It has been 17 years since a regional title. WNCC opened region tourney play with a win over McCook in the first round. They then topped Central Wyoming and then ranked Sheridan

College to move into the finals. In the finals, WNCC trailed 50-40 at halftime but opened the second half on an 11-0 run to grab a 51-50 lead. With around five minutes to play roughly, WNCC trailed by 5ive, but closed out the game on a 20-8 win top Otero on their home court for the title.

Male Aug. 27....... Lawan Abary, Soccer Sept. 4....Thomas Franze, Soccer Sept. 14. Ramses Atahaulpa, Soccer Sept. 21...Andre Matzuda, Soccer Sept. 28.....Ade Oshikoya, Soccer Oct. 1........... Silvio Xavier, Soccer Oct. 8............Owen Parra, Soccer Oct. 16........ Lawan Abary, Soccer Oct. 22......... Silvio Xavier, Soccer Oct. 29........ Soccer Team, Soccer Nov. 5........... Vinnie Shahid, Bball Nov. 12..........Marlon Sierra, Bball Nov. 26... Marko Rajanovac, Bball Dec. 17............Martin Roub, Bball Jan. 7......Djodje Dimitrijevic, Bball Jan. 14............. Trent Harris, Bball Jan. 21...........Jervay Green, Bball Feb. 4..............Martin Roub, Bball Feb. 11.......... Vinnie Shahid, Bball Feb. 25..........Marlon Sierra, Bball March 11............ Men’s Basketball

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