Sports

Ladyjacks go back-to-back at region

By Tyler Ohmann

03/04/2014

For the Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB) women’s basketball team they haven’t had the wins, accolades or close triumphs like their male counterparts at DCB, but that did not stop them come playoff time.

The Ladyjacks downed by Gogebic Community College (GCC) and United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) in the Region XIII playoffs in Bismarck to earn their second straight title.  

“It was a great weekend and Regional Championship for our Ladyjacks,” stated Ladyjacks head coach Wayne Johnson, who was named Region XIII Coach of the Year. “Part of what made it so special was the wonderful team effort, like we like to say ‘we have your back’ and we certainly did this weekend.”

DCB showed they had what it takes to earn the region title beginning last Friday night in an 86-75 win over the GCC Samsons.

The Samsons, who had strong guard play, made it tough for DCB, but the Ladyjacks opened up a 45-38 halftime lead. They hung on to the lead throughout the second half, and came home with an 11-point win to advance to the title game.

“We stepped up against a very good Gogebic team and put together an excellent team victory,” Johnson stated. “They were a difficult match up for us due to their good quickness and really good guard play, but we were also a difficult match up for them because for one of the few times all year we had the size advantage.”

DCB used that size to earn a 58-52 advantage on the glass. DCB also used a strong night from beyond the arc (11-for-25) to overcome 23 turnovers.

“They were scrappy however beating us on the offensive boards and forcing us into nine more turnovers,” Johnson said.

Freshman Savnnah Bruce had a team-best 27 points and added eight rebounds. Fellow freshman Whitney Brandvold had her best output of the season with 10 points and seven boards.

Imani Scott, who would go on to win the Most Valuable Player of the region, scored 15 points and had nine rebounds. Sophomore Leah Parizek had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

“It was a great team effort with everyone stepping up when we needed it most,” Johnson stated.

The Ladyjacks weren’t done on the weekend though, they still had a title to defend.

They did just that last Saturday night with a 77-71 win over UTTC on the Thunderbird’s home court.

It did not start out in the Ladyjacks favor in the first half as they trailed for most of it, and were down by three at halftime.
However, a second-half surge pushed the Ladyjacks to another Region XIII title.

“I’m really proud of this bunch of young ladies who found a way to get it done on a night when things didn’t appear to be going right,” Johnson stated. “We missed a ton of good shots and had to battle with a team that was knocking in shots by winning the hustle game.”

DCB won the turnover battle by seven and had seven more offensive rebounds to help them earn the win late in the second half.

“We trailed throughout most of the game and didn’t establish a lead until about the six minute mark,” Johnson stated. “Just like last night we had the bench step up and save us.”

However, it was Scott who provided most of the heroics for the Ladyjacks.

The freshman had 30 points, including a 7-for-11 night from beyond the arc.

Bruce added 20 points and 12 rebounds to continue her strong play. Shikaya Chase stepped up with 11 points and eight rebounds as she played many of Leah Parizek’s minutes, as Parizek got into foul trouble early.

The Ladyjacks (14-17) will host either North Platte Community College or Central Community College at the Woodshed at 2 p.m. on Sunday for the District F Title.

The winner of that game will advance to Nationals in Overland Park, Kan. on March 18-22.

That opportunity puts them on par with their male counterparts.