Bryant & Stratton, Kankakee make like 2018, win Region IV titles
PALOS HILLS, ILL. - In a repeat of the 2018 season, Kankakee Community College and Bryant & Stratton College claimed 2020 Region IV Midwest District Tournament Championships on Saturday at Moraine Valley Community College. The top-seeded Bobcats won their second title in three years with a 65-59 win over #2 Black Hawk College in the NJCAA Midwest District L (Region 4B) final, while #3-seeded Kankakee Community College became NJCAA Midwest District B (Region 4A) champs for the 21st time by taking down #1 and host Moraine Valley Community College, 67-61.
The Cavaliers (23-7) opened postseason play with a 79-58 victory over #6 Milwaukee Area Technical College (14-16), and then upset #2 McHenry County College (23-5), 63-41, to set up a showdown with the defending champs. The Cyclones (23-9) owned a four-point lead after the first quarter and pushed the advantage to ten in the second quarter before an 11-0 run by KCC. A shot just before the buzzer made it 28-27 MVCC at the half. After trading baskets and leads throughout much of the third quarter, Kankakee built a double-digit differential in the fourth quarter and held on for the win. Freshman forward Brandi Hudson led all scorers with 24 points, to go along with seven rebounds and two assists, and was named the Region IV Tournament Most Valuable Player. Teammates Ceairra Smith and Arriyonn Philips, who scored four and 16 points, respectively, in the championship game, were also selected to the Region IV All-Tournament Team. Coach Donnie Denson was named Region IV Coach of the Year.
Top-seeded Bryant & Stratton College (24-6), which is currently ranked #10 in the NJCAA Division II Poll, received a bye past the quarterfinal round and then eliminated #4 Triton College (22-10), 86-57, in the semifinals to reach their third consecutive championship game. The Bobcats trailed the Braves 26-17 late in the first half, but used a 7-1 run to get within three and build momentum for the second half. Three minutes into the third quarter, BSC held its first lead of the game, which they would never relinquish. Though BHC (22-11) kept the score close, Bryant & Stratton sealed the win at the free throw line. Freshman guard La'Janique Perry-Ellis posted a double-double of 22 points and ten rebounds, and was named Region IV Tournament Most Valuable Player. Teammates Kiyanna Rodgers and Marleah Drake were also chosen for the Region IV All-Tournament Team. Coach Jeff Lorenz was named Region IV Coach of the Year.
Both teams automatically qualify for the 2020 NJCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championships in Port Huron, Michigan, from March 17-21, 2020.
2020 Region IV Division II Midwest District D (Region 4A) All-Tournament Team
Brandi Hudson - Kankakee Community College
Ceairra Smith - Kankakee Community College
Arriyonn Phillips - Kankakee Community College
Nicole Poole - Moraine Valley Community College
Chelsea Cross - Moraine Valley Community College
Kirsten Kamholz - Moraine Valley Community College
Tournament MVP
Brandi Hudson - Kankakee Community College
Coach of the Year
Donnie Denson - Kankakee Community College
2020 Region IV Division II Midwest District L (Region 4B) All-Tournament Team
La'Janique Perry-Ellis - Bryant & Stratton College
Kiyanna Rogers - Bryant & Stratton College
Marleah Drake - Bryant & Stratton College
Sydney Hannah - Black Hawk College
Megan Teal - Black Hawk College
Margie Villaruz - Black Hawk college
Region IV Tournament MVP
La'Janique Perry-Ellis - Bryant & Stratton College
Coach of the Year
Jeff Lorenz - Bryant & Stratton College