Repeat champions as Highland claims another Region IV Division I title
JOLIET, ILL. - The Highland Community College women's basketball team successfully defended their crown with a 75-65 defeat of Sauk Valley Community College to claim the 2019 Region IV Division I Women's Basketball Tournament Championship on Monday at Joliet Junior College. The top-seeded Cougars topped the second-seeded Skyhawks for the second consecutive year and have won three of the last four Region IV Division I tournaments.
Highland opened with a 24-11 first quarter advantage before taking a 37-27 lead into halftime. Sauk Valley continued to chip away throughout the third quarter and took a six-point deficit into the final ten minutes. However, the reigning champs answered with a 22-18 fourth quarter edge to seal the win.
The Cougars had five players score in double-figures, with sophomores Lakeita Chappel and Amazshea Lee leading the way with 16 points apiece. Chappel, who also had eight rebounds, six assists, and two blocks, was named Region IV Division I Tournament Most Valuable Player. Dejah Malveaux and Kiara Riser added 14 and 11 points, respectively, and both were named to the Region IV All-Tournament Team.
The Skyhawks were paced by Isabelle Kimpel's 17 points and 13 rebounds, as well as 14 points from Breanna Scheidegger, 11 points by Karlee Doege, and ten points from Delaney Hindricks. Sauk Valley Community College ends the year at 13-17.
Highland Community College advances to the NJCAA District D Championship, which it will host on Saturday, March 9 against Region XIII winner Miles Community College (MT). The Pioneers are 32-0 and ranked #17 in the NJCAA Division I Poll, while the Cougars are 15-5. The winner earns an automatic bid into the 2019 NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championships in Lubbock, Texas, from March 18-23, 2019.
2019 Region IV Division I All-Tournament Team
Lamichael Dean - Kennedy-King College
Aubree Schmitt - Sauk Valley Community College
Karlee Doege - Sauk Valley Community College
Dejah Malveaux - Highland Community College
Kiara Riser - Highland Community College
Tournament MVP
Lakeita Chappel - Highland Community College
Coach of the Year
Lonnie Boga - Highland Community College