The 10th ranked Lady Pirates came up short in the NJCAA Region 16 Championship Saturday against Jefferson College 81-61. Despite falling behind 21-10 in the first quarter, NCMC fought hard to only face a 6-point deficit at the break. From there, Jefferson was able to pull away in the second half and secure the victory.
As a team, NCMC was held to just 36.9% shooting in the game and made only 4-14 from beyond the arc. 28 turnovers also proved costly as the Lady Pirates tried to play catch up the majority of the contest.
Mary Copeland emerged as a standout performer, leading the team with 16 points. Copeland's double-double performance, coupled with her defensive presence, contributed significantly to North Central's efforts. Her 12 rebounds, including 5 offensive rebounds, underscored her impact on both ends of the court.
Tori Meinecke, starting for North Central, exhibited resilience on the court. Despite facing defensive pressure, she contributed across multiple facets of the game, securing 9 rebounds, including 4 on the offensive glass.
Nateonia Russell demonstrated her scoring prowess, tallying 9 points. Jessica Reeter, another key starter, showcased her scoring ability with 9 points, including a three-pointer. Reeter also contributed defensively and on the boards, collecting 4 rebounds.
The team relied on the bench players to provide a spark, with A'Myah Bankston and Gladys Brown combining for 14 points. Bankston's 6 points included a three-pointer, while Brown's scoring effort showcased her versatility.
Earning 1st Team All-Region honors was Jessica Reeter. She finished the season averaging 11.9 points per game, a team best. Mary Copeland also got the nod as a 1st Team selection. She proved an important interior presence averaging 9.8 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game.