March 26, 2007

HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- Many people, outside of those who donÕt follow Northeastern Junior College basketball, really thought that the Plainsmen should have been in the championship bracket instead of playing in the consolation final.

In what was the last game for sophomoreÕs: Shane Gertner, Tyler Wortham, Ochigbo Ameh, Omar Leary, Rashad Austin, LaTravis Turner and Shane Edwards, the group came together to collect a convincing 94-80 victory to close out the season at 34-2.

"This is a very special group of kids that I have had the privilege to coach this year," NJC Head Coach Eddie Trenkle said during a post game interview. "From what the team did last year to accomplish what they did this year was incredible. I think Northeastern beat probably three of the better teams in the tournament."

After losing that first round match-up with Itawamba Community College, the Plainsmen edged out Highland Community College 75-74 and cruised by No. 1-ranked Indian Hills Community College 74-66, on their way to the 94-80 victory over Southwest Tennessee (SWT) to bring home seventh place honors.

"The people back home should be extremely proud of this team," Trenkle continued. "These kids represented the school very well all year long and they did a great job representing Region IX, which a lot of people think is not a strong region."

It wasn't all smiles for NJC to start out the contest against Southwest Saturday afternoon. It took the team a minute to get things started offensively.

SWT began the contest with a three-pointer and a wide open lay-up before a frustrated Eddie Trenkle called a time out.

"Slow emotion," the head coach said, summing up the first minute of the game. "We were focused and ready to play, but it was one of those things that playing a high, intense, emotional game the day before took its toll on us. These kids have played three games in four day, so you can imagine how tired they were."

After that first minute, the Plainsmen got it rolling.

Austin, who finished the contest with 16 points and six rebounds, gave his team the lead on a 10-foot jumper from the baseline to move the score to 10-9.

Now tied a 12 apiece, the sophomore trio of Austin, Edwards and Leary sparked a 18-2 run in a five minute span to move what was a tied game to a 30-14 advantage after a tip in by freshman Jarvis Jackson went up and in after a miss free throw attempt.

Southwest Tennessee would cut the lead to eight points on a little run of their own, but a monster dunk by Austin move the lead to 33-22. The final minute of the half featured a technical foul by the Plainsmen that allowed SWT to end the half on a 10-5 run to send both teams to the locker room with NJC up 46-37.

The Plainsmen would not let up in the second half whatsoever.

Northeastern moved the lead back to double-digits after a 1-2 trip to the free throw line by Edwards put his team up 57-47. A 10-4 run following that free throw, that was capped off by a putback dunk by Edwards moved the lead to 67-51.

As the final score shows, it is safe to say that the Plainsmen would never look back.

Freshman Troy Smith knocked in eight consecutive free throws down the stretch, on his way for 16 points off the bench.

"It's the easiest shot, thatÕs why they call them free throws," Smith said. "They count and overtime they add up. In the games that we have struggled, you can look back and see that we struggled from the line. If we make them, we have a better chance of winning."

To add to Smith, Leary put in some work yet again, finishing up in his final game wearing the black and gold with 21 points and five assists.

Edwards ended with a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Turner added six points and seven rebounds before fouling out with Edwards to end the game.

It was obvious the players were tired when they took their seats in the conference room, but all of them stated that the work was well worth it.

"It's tough to win games after taking that first loss in the first round," Edwards said. "We stuck together as a team and played strong. I'm tired, but it was worth it going home with three wins."

If all stays the same, Omar and Shane will have the opportunity to play with each other at Colorado State University next year. Growing together and developing a strong bond with each other help Leary grow as a player.

"This year meant a lot," Omar said. "I love every single one of these guys. We fight like brothers and we get a long like brothers. Looking at it from the outside, that connection made us stronger having that muscle that I think a lot of other teams really didnÕt have. I would do anything for these guys."

As far as the future for the Plainsmen, the team will lose a solid sophomore class, but will return an experience freshman class who, to say the least, were winners in their high school programs.

With Coach Trenkle coming back in his second year, there should be no reason why the Plainsmen shouldnÕt be in Hutchinson next season.

"This experience is going to be real good for us freshmen coming back," Smith said. "We've seen the sophomoreÕs do it, now we have the experience of what it takes to win at this level."

Freshman Mike Dominguez, who really hadnÕt been himself over the course of the National Tournament also spoke words of encouragement for next year.

"I will be back next year and IÕm going to shoot better," Dominguez said in a joking tone. "I'm just letting you guys know that right now."

In the championship game, favored Midland College defeated Chipola College 94-75.

Bill French Tournament MVP Rodrigue Mills, Midland College Coach of the Tournament Grant McCasland, Midland College Charles Sesher Sportsmanship Award Mike Dominguez, Northeastern Junior College Bud Obee Outstanding Small Player Award J.J. Seymour, Coffeyville Community College All-Tournament Team Donald Boone, Southwest Tennessee Community College Jor-dan' Brooks, Midland College Nemanja Calasan, Midland College Jocolby Davis, Georgia Perimeter College Jamarcus Ellis, Chipola College Brad Garrett, College of Southern Idaho Michael Hall, Lon Morris College Robert Jarvis, Seminole State Community College Omar Leary, Northeastern Junior College Daniel Payne, Coffeyville Community College DeAndre Thomas, Chipola College Archie Valov, Three Rivers Community College