WNCC Cougar Beat Athletic Newsletter -- December 24, 2021

COUGAR

BEAT Newsletter

The Latest in Cougar Athletic News Off and Running Cougar women finish first semester with a 14-1 record

December 24, 2021 – Issue 10

What’s Inside

Welcome to the holiday edition of the newsletter. The induction ceremony will WNCC Cougar Beat Athletic Newsletter. take place at 5 p.m. on January 28 with the In this issue there is just 20 pages but individuals being recognized at halftime there are some interesting stories. of the WNCC and Otero men’s basketball The women’s and men’s basketball game. That night only, the women’s and teams are off to strong starts. The women men’s game will begin at 6 p.m. for the are ranked No. 10 in the women and 8 p.m. for the NJCAA national polls From the Editor men. and setting at 14-1 on the

You will also see season. Their only loss a holiday special in this came against College of Southern Idaho, issue with holiday recipes. Didn’t get a lot who is No. 8 in the national polls. this year, but there were five from play The Cougar men are 9-3 on the season ers and myself. Hope you try them out, and it is their best start since the 2017-18 I know that I want to try the Oreo Ball team that then went on to win the Region Cookies out one of these days.

IX tournament and win at the national Finally, there is some news on some tournament in Hutchinson. former men’s basketball players who are Other things you will see in this edition having a successful campaign overseas include a rundown of the Cougar basket- along with some photos from the 1980s ball scores with all the double-figure scor- and 1990s. ers.

In the next issue, which will be out You will also see stories on Erica Fava, right after January 1 and before the first who was an NJCAA First Team All-Amer- game of the second semester on January ican along with stories on Ale’Jah Doug- 10, you will see a look back at 2021. las and Macey Boggs, who both signed Once again, if anyone has any features to attend Division I schools. Douglas will or story ideas, please email them to mreenroll at Clemson in the fall of 2022 and in@wncc.edu. I am always looking for Boggs will head to Wyoming in January cool features for the newsletter, the web2022. site, and the local newspaper.

One of the biggest stories is one on And, one final thing: Merry Christmas the two WNCC Athletic Hall of Fame In- and Happy New Year from the WNCC ductees. That story is in the middle of the Cougar Athletic Family!

FUN PHOTO WNCC athletic trainer Doug Jones got into the holiday spirit at the last home game before break on December 14 when he wore his December sport jacket for the holidays.

Ashley Panem and Shanti Henry are the women’s players in the photo.

Next issue of Cougar Newsletter will be in January.

If you have any information about current or past Cougar athletes worth sharing, email Mark Rein at mrein@wncc.edu or text to 308-631-0459

Cougar Trivia

Test your knowledge of Cougar Athletics with these trivia questions. Answers are on the second to last page of the newsletter.

1) Who led the Cougar volleyball team in ace serves this year and who holds the record for aces in a season?

2) Who had the most yellow cards during the men’s soccer team’s season in the fall?

3) Who had the most yellow cards during the women’s soccer team’s season this fall?

4) Who leads the men’s basketball team in made 3-pointers through the first semester of play?

5) Who has made the most 3-pointers this season so far for the WNCC women’s basketball team?

6) The women’s basketball team has held their opponents to under 60 points for nine straight games.

What is the record for holding opponents to under 90 points?

7) When was the first time the Cougar men’s basketball team won 30 games in a season?

8) Who was the first men’s soccer player to sign with a Division I school?

9) Who was the first womens soccer player to sign with a Division I school?

10) Who were the first men’s and women’s soccer players from Scottsbluff High to play for the Cougars?

Answers toward the back of the newsletter.

Women’s basketball rolling along Cougars finish first semester leading nation in scoring What a first semester for the Western Nebraska Community College women’s basketball team.

The Cougars wrapped up the first semester with a 14-1 record and a No. 10 ranking in the national polls. WNCC is the highest Region IX team ranked.

WNCC sophomore Ashley Panem said it isn’t surprising that this team is off to the start they have.

“The first semester was a great start to the season. We had our ups and downs, but we found a way to push through and gain a top 10 ranking,” Panem said. “I thought we came together and played strong despite what we were going against. Sometimes it’s hard to play in games where you know you’re the better team but we learned that it’s not about our opponent. It is about us and doing what we have to do to get better every game.”

The Cougars are averaging 91.5 points a contest and had a stretch of scoring over 90 points for five straight contests.

WNCC also has won nine straight since falling to the College of Southern Idaho the first part of November.

WNCC leads the nation in scoring with Eastern Oklahoma State right behind at 90.2 and then Temple at 89.8.

The team that knocked the Cougars out of the national tournament a year ago, Three Rivers, is fourth at 88.3 points a contest.

“To be the top scoring team is, honestly, no surprise,” Panem said. “We have so much depth on this team scoring wise. Anyone can have a monster game any given night.”

One of those games where the team struggled after winning previously by 20-some points was the final game before break against Laramie County Community College.

The contest against LCCC to end the semester, was the game that stopped the 90-plus game scoring streak where the Cougars did not shoot well in the second half.

WNCC sophomore Amani Brown

WNCC’s Martrice Brooks steals the ball from a Laramie County player and heads up the court in their game December 14 at Cougar Palace. WNCC finished the first semester with a 14-1 record.

said they played Ok, but they could have played better in the second half.

“I thought we played decent, but at times we weren’t as focused,” Brown said. “As a whole, we won the game and that’s all that matters. The first half we were more aware and wanted to win the game. The second half we weren’t as locked in and the game got away from us a little bit.”

The first semester started with five straight wins as the team scored 80-plus points in all five games. The Cougars first defeat came at Twin Falls, Idaho, where WNCC fell to Southern Idaho 95-89. Still, they score over 80 points a contest.

The Cougars then slipped under the 80-point scoring mark twice in the next two games, defeating North Platte 78-59 and then Casper College on the road 7059.

The Cougars then ran off five straight games scoring above 90 points including a 99-59 win over Williston State, 101-28 over Miles Community College, 105-59 over Western Wyoming Community College, 96-52 over Laramie County, and 92-53 over Central Wyoming.

WNCC’s offensive output is not just one person either as a number of players are capable of leading the team.

WNCC has five players averaging nine points or higher a contest.

Ale’Jah Douglas leads the team at 17.8 points a game while Brown and Martrice Brooks are averaging 11 points a contest. Aminata Zie is averaging 9.5 points while Shanti Henry is averaging 9.3 points.

Panem said this team has a lot of talent.

“Our team is so talented where even when we aren’t shooting well, we can

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n Cougars finish first semester leading nation in scoring ... find other ways to score,” she said.

WNCC’s strength is shooting the 3-pointer as they already have connected on 116 treys. Henry leads the team with 39 made threes while Brown has 20. Henry is shooting 39.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Also capable of shooting the long ball are Shayane Poirot with 19 makes, Dougas with 15, and Payton Fields with 13.

While the first semester went well, the second semester is the most important part as they aim for a sixth straight trip to the national tournament.

“Our goal is to win the regional title but not only that, we want to be able to compete in the national tournament,” Panem said. “We believe we have a chance to win that whole thing and it is just about our determination and mental toughness over this next semester. “ WNCC will return to action Monday, January 10 when they host Casper College, a team they beat the Thunderbirds 70-59 in Casper.

The players will return to campus to start practice once again on January 3.

Panem said it is important for the team to stay focused during the second semester and work hard.

“Over break, it is very important to work on habits and stay in the gym so we are ready to complete our goals,” she said. “We all come back to school the 3rd of January and we plan to prepare well to beat Casper first and then continue to have an even better semester than our last.”

WNCC will have have a busy January with seven of the eight games at home.

The only away game in January is a Sunday afternoon contest at Eastern Wyoming College on January 16.

Other than that, the Cougars will be at home January 10 and 11 when they host Casper and Central Wyoming, January 14 against McCook, January 21 and 22 against Lamar and Northeastern Colorado, and January 28 and 29 against Otero and Trinidad State.

February has the team on the road for all five games with the regular season final on February 17 against Lamar.

By Mark Rein, Sports Information

Amani Brown goes up for two points against Laramie County Community College. WNCC finished the first semester at 14-1 and will return to the court January 10 against Casper College at Cougar Palace.

Payton Fields dribbles the ball while looking for an open player to pass to during their game with North Platte Community College in November. WNCC won 14 of 15 games during the first semester.

WNCC Women’s Basketball Schedule Highlights Records Home: 4-0 Away: 3-1

Neutral: 7-0

When leading at half: 14-1

When trailing at half: 0-0

Nov. 8....... Home........Won 1-0........... Northwest College....................... Cougar Palace..................(39-26) 83 - 62 ............................................................................................ Ale’Jah Douglas 27, Payton Fields 12, Shanti Henry 11 Nov. 12..... Away.........Won 2-0........... Northwest College....................... Riverton, Wyo...................(51-17) 107 - 54 ......................................................... Shayane Poirot 19, Ale’Jah Douglas 17, Martrice Brooks 14, Shanti Henry 12 Nov. 13..... Away.........Won 3-0........... Central Wyoming........................ Riverton, Wyo...................(46-24) 95 - 56 ..........Amani Brown 17, Ale’Jah Douglas 14, Shanti Henry 13, Isabelle Cook 11, Yara Garcia 11, Payton Fields 10 Nov. 16..... Home........Won 4-0........... Eastern Wyoming........................ Cougar Palace..................(43-24) 81 - 55 ........................................................................................ Martrice Brooks 20, Ale’Jah Douglas 12, Amani Brown 10 Nov. 19..... Away.........Won 5-0........... Colorado Northwestern............... Twin Falls, Idaho...............(50-27) 107 - 55 .................................. Ale’Jah Douglas 18, Payton Fields 14, Aminata Zie 13, Shanti Henry 13, Martrice Brooks 11 Nov. 20..... Away.........Lost 5-1........... College of Southern Idaho.......... Twin Falls, Idaho...............(38-32) 89 - 96 .........................................................................................Ale’Jah Douglas 29, Martrice Brooks 16, Shanti Henry 10 Nov. 24..... Home........Won 6-1........... North Platte C.C.......................... Cougar Palace..................(35-26) 78 - 59 .......................................................................................... Ale’Jah Douglas 16, Amani Brown 13, Ashley Panem 10 Nov. 26..... Away.........Won 7-1........... Western Wyoming C.C............... Casper, Wyo.....................(56-27) 98 - 52 .............................Amani Brown 20, Ale’Jah Douglas 16, Shanti Henry 14, Breanna Fowler 11, Martrice Brooks 11 Nov. 27..... Away.........Won 8-1........... Casper College........................... Casper, Wyo.....................(33-32) 70 - 59 .....................................................................................................................................................Ale’Jah Douglas 17 Dec. 4....... Away.........Won 9-1........... Williston State............................. Gillette, Wyo......................(50-30) 99 - 59 ........................................................... Ale’Jah Douglas 22, Aminata Zie 18, Rashaan Smith 14, Martrice Brooks 11 Dec. 5....... Away.........Won 10-1......... Miles C.C.................................... Gillette, Wyo......................(52-14) 101 - 28 ........................................................... Rashaan Smith 18, Martrice Brooks 15, Ale’Jah Douglas 10, Aminata Zie 10 Dec. 9....... Away.........Won 11-1......... Western Wyoming C.C............... Cheyenne, Wyo................(31-26) 105 - 59 ......................................................................................... Ale’Jah Douglas 20, Shanti Henry 18, Shayane Poirot 14 Dec. 10..... Away.........Won 12-1......... Laramie County C.C................... Cheyenne, Wyo................(47-23) 96 - 52 ............................. Ale’Jah Douglas 14, Shanti Henry 14, Martrice Brooks 12, Amani Brown 12, Shayane Poirot 11 Dec. 11..... Away.........Won 13-1......... Central Wyoming........................ Cheyenne, Wyo................(40-25) 92 - 53 ................................................................ Aminati Zie 22, Ale’Jah Douglas 15, Amani Brown 11, Martrice Brooks 11 Dec. 14..... Home........Won 14-1......... Laramie County C.C................... Cougar Palace..................(47-25) 72 - 57 .........................................................................................................................Ale’Jah Douglas 20, Amani Brown 15

Men’s basketball capture 9 wins Cougars finish first semester winners of three straight

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he Western Nebraska Community College men’s basketball team is off to one of its best starts since the Region IX championship year of 2018 as the Cougars are 9-3 entering the semester break.

The Cougars wrapped up the first semester with three straight wins. At 9-3, the record is one of the best in the last 10 years. The 2017-18 team went 12-2 during the first semester.

WNCC’s three losses came to teams that are having a good year. The first loss game at home to rival Eastern Wyoming College 90-63. Two games later, the Cougars fell to No. 10 College of Southern Idaho 81-65 on the road.

The third loss came at the Battle of the Borders Classic in Gillette, Wyoming, when WNCC opened the classic with an 81-72 loss to Dawson Community College, who received votes in the last NJCAA basketball poll with a 12-1 record.

After the loss to Dawson, WNCC won their next three.

They topped Williston State 83-66 and then Miles Community College 9183 to finish the classic at 2-1.

WNCC wrapped up the first semester with an 89-82 win over Laramie County Community College on December 14. It was the second time in the fall semester the Cougars topped LCCC, beating the Golden Eagles 86-79 on November 23.

In the win on December 14, the Cougars showed their scoring power by putting five players in double figures.

Them Koang led the way with 24 points including eight rebounds. Rodney Sawyer added 21 points with nine boards.

Agwa Nywesh finished with 14 points and seven boards while Biko Johnson had 13 points and seven boards and Carter Brown had 10 points with three 3-pointers.

WNCC head coach Billy Engel said they played well in spurts. ”I thought overall we played really well,” Engel said. “There were times we

Rodney Sawyer drives to the bucket in a game against Laramie County Community College on Dec. 14. The Cougar me are off to their best start since a 12-2 first semester start in 20172018 season. WNCC is 9-3 on the season.

struggled with the basketball, but we were competitive for 40 minutes. When you compete as hard as these young me do, you will give yourself a chance to win a basketball game. “ A big sign of the making of a good basketball team is stopping their opponent’s runs and WNCC did just exactly that. WNCC trailed just twice in the contest with the first and second buckets of the game. After that, the Cougars only allowed the Golden Eagles to get to within a couple of points a couple of times throughout the game.

“That has been what we are; they find a way to win basketball games,” Engel said. “There is certainly no shortage of talent on our team, but we have to be mature enough to understand that a lot of teams in our league that we play during the year have a lot of talent. We just can’t rely on our talent; we have to

be competitive and continue defending and rebounding the way we are supposed to?

The men’s game was also close at the beginning as WNCC held an 8-4 lead and the 8-6. The Cougars then went on a 17-6 run behind a 3-pointer by Nywesh. The Cougars pushed the lead to 25-14 before LCCC came back with a 10-0 run to cut the score to 25-24. WNCC responded with an 8-0 run to lead 33-24 and led at halftime 35-26.

The second half saw WNCC jump to a 19-point lead at 59-40 and led 66-50 on a Koang bucket. LCCC came back with an 11-0 run to slice the lead to 66-61. The Golden Eagles later cut the lead to 71-69 with six minutes to play.

WNCC answered as they went up 81-73 including a dunk by Carl Thorpe.

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n Cougars finish first semester winners of three straight ...

LCCC had one last gasp as they cut the lead to 84-80, but a bucket by Sawyer with a minute to play pushed the lead to 86-60 and the Cougars hit clutch free throws down the stretch for the win.

WNCC was even hotter, shooting 58 percent from the field and 41 percent from beyond the arc (9-of-22). Brown and Nywesh each had three treys, whole Sawyer knocked down two.

If the LCCC game is any indication, the Cougars have the talent to win a regional title.

WNCC has four players averaging in double figures. Koang leads the way at 17.7 points a contest. The Grand Island native is shooting 60.3 percent from the field.

Right behind Koang is Sawyer at 12.1 points followed by Biko Johnson at 11.8 and Nywesh at 11.3. Carl Thorpe is near double figures at 9.5 points a game.

WNCC strength lies with their field goal shooting. WNCC is making 45.3 percent of its shots. The long-range shooting hasn’t been bright at 29.6 percent for the game. WNCC has made 81 3-pointers, led by Carter Brown with 18 followed by Nywesh with 17 and Biko Johnson with 12.

WNCC, 9-3, will be off until January 7 and 8 when they head to Windsor, Colorado, to play in a crossover tournament at Power to Play Sports. WNCC will face Central Wyoming on January 7 and Western Wyoming the next day. The Cougars’ next home contest will be on January 10 when they host Casper College.

After the Casper contest, the Cougars will have a busy January with seven of eight home contests. WNCC will host McCook on January 14, followed by home contests on January 21 and 22 against Lamar and Northeastern Colorado, a home contest against Air Force Pre on January 25, and then January 28 and 29 against Otero and Trinidad State.

WNCC will have seven games in February with just one at home and that is February 22 against North Platte Community College.

By Mark Rein, Sports Information

Carl Thorpe dunks the basketball in a home game during the first semester. WNCC is off until January 7 and 8 when they compete in a classic at Windsor, Colorado.

Them Koang dribbles toward the basketball during a game with Laramie County Community College. The Cougars are 9-3 on the season and winners of three straight.. WNCC is off until January 7 and 8 when they compete in a classic at Windsor, Colorado.

WNCC Men’s Basketball Schedule Highlights Records Home: 2-1 Away: 5-1

Neutral: 2-1

When leading at half: 6-0

When trailing at half: 3-3

Nov. 5....... Away.........Won 1-0........... Adams State J.V......................... Alamosa, Colo...................(45-33) 91-57 .........Biko Johnson 23, Carl Thorpe 14, Them Koang 12, Dimitrije Nikolic 11, Turumbil Zaki 10, Mamadou Sow 10 Nov. 8....... Home........Won 2-0........... Northwest College....................... Cougar Palace..................(31-36) 87 - 81 OT ....................................Carter Brown 20, Rodney Sawyer 18, Them Koang 17, Biko Johnson 13, Agwa Nywesh 11 Nov. 13..... Away.........Won 3-0........... Seward County C.C.................... Liberal, Kansas.................(34-40) 83 - 76 ................................................................................................ Them Koang 21, Agwa Nywesh 16, Carter Brown 13 Nov. 14..... Away.........Won 4-0........... Nationwide Academy.................. Liberal, Kansas.................(54-36) 107 - 87 ............................................................................................Them Koang 20, Mamadou Sow 18, Dimitrije Nikolic 11 Nov. 16..... Home........Lost 4-1........... Eastern Wyoming........................ Cougar Palace..................(18-46) 63 - 90 ................................................................................................................................ Them Koang 20, Carl Thorpe 10 Nov. 19..... Away.........Won 5-1........... Community Christian................... Twin Falls, Idaho...............(48-39) 86 - 77 ......................................Carl Thorpe 15, Biko Johnson 14, Them Koang 12, Agwa Nywesh 10, Rodney Sawyer 10 Nov. 20..... Away.........Lost 5-2........... College of Southern Idaho.......... Twin Falls, Idaho...............(23-33) 65 - 81 ............................................................................................................................Them Koanig 22, Agwa Nywesh 13 Nov. 23..... Away.........Won 6-2........... Laramie County C.C................... Cheyenne, Wyo................(35-38) 86 - 79 ................................................................Rodney Sawyer 21, Them Koang 19, Biko Johnson 15, Agwa Nywesh 14 Dec. 3....... Away.........Lost 6-3........... Dawson C.C................................ Gillette, Wyo......................(30-38) 72 - 81 ................................................................Biko Johnson 20, Agwa Nywesh 13, Rodney Sawyer 10, Them Koang 10 Dec. 4....... Away.........Won 7-3........... Williston State............................. Gillette, Wyo......................(47-30) 83 - 66 ...................................................................... Carl Thorpe 19, Carter Brown 15, Them Koang 14, Agwa Nywesh 10 Dec. 5....... Away.........Won 8-3........... Miles C.C.................................... Gillette, Wyo......................(42-38) 91 - 83 ................................................................................................Rodney Sawyer 25, Them Koang 21, Carl Thorpe 16 Dec. 14..... Home........Won 9-3........... Laramie County C.C................... Cougar Palace..................(35-26) 89 - 82 ................................... Them Koang 24, Rodney Sawyer 21, Agwa Nywesh 14, Biko Johnson 13, Carter Brown 10

Douglas signs with Division I Women’s basketball standout guard signs with Clemson

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estern Nebraska Community College women’s basketball player Ale’Jah Douglas has always wanted to play Division I basketball.

Wednesday evening Douglas officially got the chance to accomplish that dream after signing with Clemson University of the ACC. Douglas said that she was recruited

by Clemson after the national tournament last April when WNCC beat the No. 1 team in the nation Jones College and Clemson just stuck with her.

“I just felt it was the right choice for me,” Douglas said about becoming a Tiger and playing in the prestigious ACC. “They recruited me after the national tournament, and we got to build a relationship. I felt like it was the right place for me in my heart and that is where I want to continue my journey for the next three years.”

Douglas said getting the chance to play Division I basketball has been a dream for her and now that dream has come true.

“It still is a lot to take in but I am excited and ready to compete,” she said. “I have grown a lot with extra work in the gym, knowing what positions I need to be in, and just growing as a player.”

Douglas becomes the second WNCC Cougar to play at Clemson. The first was Renee Rayton, who played for WNCC in 1992-93 and then went on to star at Clemson from 1993-1995.

Douglas said she knows she is going to a good school in Clemson. Last season Clemson went 12-14 and 5-12 in the ACC. This season, the Tigers are already 1-0 after beating Upstate University 6447.

Douglas said it is a big relief to get the signing and recruiting process out of the way so she can concentrate on this year. Plus, she said she is appreciative of everybody that has followed her in this quest from her high school of Northwest in Omaha to the Panhandle of Scottsbluff.

WNCC’s Ale’Jah Douglas signs her letter of intent to play for Clemson University next year.

Douglas is the nation’s leader in total steals so far with 61.

“I just want to thank everybody for coming out and supporting me and I just want to thank everybody that has been a part of my journey,” she said. “I just want you know I worked hard for this and hope to continue my journey at Clemson and hopefully you continue to support me.”

Douglas finished with 423 points a year ago and averaged 18.4 points a game while being named a NJCAA honorable mention all-American. As a freshman, Douglas scored 20 or more points in nine games and had a season best 35 points in a game against Casper College on April 9.

This season Douglas is averaging 17.8 points a contest which is tied for 24th in the NJCAA and leads the nation in steals 61 steals.

Her goal at WNCC this coming year is to make it back to the national tournament and wins some more games.

As for Clemson, her goals are simple.

She just wants to go there and create her own legacy.

“I just want to create my own legacy,”

she said. “I don’t have no expectations, I just want to see what happens, continue to be me, and go out there as an individual and go out there on the court.”

WNCC head coach Chad Gibney said there is no doubt that Douglas will be able to compete at Clemson with how hard she works.

“I think what has set Ale’Jah apart is necessarily some of the things you can’t measure and that is how she approaches every single day and that she doesn’t get rattled,” he said. “You have seen how much she has grown and improved and I think that is a testament to her work ethic. I think the great thing about Ale’Jah is that you know you will get her best every single day and I still think her best basketball is in front of her. I am excited to be a part of her for one more year and then someone that gets to watch and enjoy it going forward.”

Douglas is majoring in Zoology and will have three years of eligibility at Clemson.

By Mark Rein, Sports Information

Boggs inks with Division I Former Gering graduate signs with Wyoming for volleyball

M

acey Boggs’ hard work paid off after playing two semesters at Western Nebraska Community College in playing at the Division I level.

Boggs, who is only one of 17 setters in Cougar history to record over 1,300 set assists in a season and the firs since 2016, made it official as Boggs signed her national letter of intent to play volleyball for the Cowgirls at the University of Wyoming.

“The University of Wyoming gave me an opportunity to play at a level of volleyball that is close to home which is super special,” Boggs said at her signing Monday evening at Cougar Palace.

“Laramie has super great facilities which is attractive and the community feel that it has being the only university in the state is really cool because of the support that it has.”

Boggs said that her dream was to play Division I volleyball and her time at WNCC helped her achieve that goal.

“Straight our of high school there was no way I would be able to play DI volleyball,” Boggs said. “But, because of WNCC, the training from Coach Binny [Canales], and playing alongside some other really great players, it helped me to better my skills and have the opportunity to play at a high level.”

Boggs, who is just 5-foot-8, had to work hard to achieve that goal because there were people that think she was big enough to play at the Division I level.

Her dream, though, was to accomplish that and through her dedication of working on her game and her two semesters at WNCC, she achieved that dream.

“It was always my dream. I would tell my parents that I was going to play DI and they would say ‘you are too small for that,” Boggs said. “It wasn’t just my parents, but a couple of other people. But, because of WNCC again, it just elevated my level. I am excited and ready to take it on.”

Boggs will be reunited with her former teammate Zoee Smith, has spent the

WNCC;s Macey Boggs, who played both semesters at WNCC in 2021 after graduating from Gering in December 2020, signs her letter of intent to play at Wyoming.

past two season at Wyoming. Smith and Boggs were pepper partners through high school.

“I am really excited [to play with Smith again],” Boggs said. “We have been joking around that we finally get our pepper partners back all through high school. I loved playing with Zoee.

We played club together and I consider her one of my really good friends. I am super excited to get back on the court with her.”

Boggs said her hard work and many hours in the gym helped her improve, but the biggest thanks goes to God, who found her the perfect home to finish out her collegiate career. Boggs has three years of eligibility at Wyoming.

“Can you say that I am thankful that God closed the wrong doors and opened the right ones,” Boggs said. “I am grateful that He has found favor on me in this time. He has unfolded things perfectly to lead me down this path and I am excited to see what the future holds.”

All that work that she put in let God see her talents and led her to signing with

Wyoming. And, she was a hard-worker.

“I worked out a lot,” she said. “I liked to be in the gym all the time and it takes a lot of work to even play at this level. At WNCC, you have to work to always to get better and being in the gym especially being an under-sized setter. It takes a lot more training because you don’t have the advantage of height.

Boggs had a whirlwind career at WNCC. Boggs played 2020 at Gering High School helping them to a successful season and was named the Star-Herald Volleyball Player of the Year last year.

She then graduated early from Gering in December and enrolled at WNCC in the spring of 2021 and played for the Cougars from January to April helping them to the national tournament.

“There are definitely some pros and cons to that [playing three straight semesters of competitive volleyball],” she said. “Pros being that I was able to do what I love three seasons in a row. Aside from that, not having the off-season, got in the way of the training time that

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n Boggs signs with University of Wyoming volleyball ...

I could have had. I think that having an off-season in Wyoming will be beneficial to be getting better and stronger in the weight room and then to be ready for the season in the fall.”

This past fall, Boggs was the catalyst on the team, leading the team from her setting position where she had 1,313 set assists this season for a 9.18 average.

She also had 35 ace serves and 437 digs.

Boggs finished fifth in the nation in total assists and was 17th in assists per set.

She was 40th in total digs, which shows her all-around athletic talent.

Boggs was also named the Region IX South Setter of the Year and made the South All-Region team.

Boggs said she was successful on the court because of all the talent she had around her to push her and elevate her game at WNCC. “It has been really good and I will miss every single one of them [Cougar teammates],” she said. “The relationships I built here at WNCC and everyone here had such an impact, not only on the court but off the court, so I definitely going to miss that. Playing with these girls

The team huddles around Macey Boggs after she signed her letter of intent to attend the University of Wyoming. Boggs will enroll at the Wyoming school in January to practice with the team during the spring season.

was very beneficial because of their level which helped all of us to get better.”

Boggs, who decided to enroll at Wy-

oming in the spring to start working out with the Cowgirls in the spring, said she made so many friends among the volleyball team that she doesn’t want to think about leaving them this week when the first semester wraps up.

“I am trying not to look into that [saying goodbye to her teammates] because it will really be sad,” she said. “But we all came to WNCC to get better so that we can leave and go someplace else.

Keeping that in the back of my minds I am sure I am sure they are all excited to move on when they get the opportunity.

I know it is sad, but it is also happy.”

Boggs, who is planning to major in Business with a minor in engineering, said her advice to all the athletes is to set your mind to your dreams and work hard to make them come true.

“If you set your mind to your dreams, then you can make your dreams come true,” Boggs said. “You are as good as you make yourself so get in the gym and always work hard. Going to WNCC (the JUCO route) was the best decision I have ever made and I wouldn’t change it.”

By Mark Rein, Sports Information

Fava makes NJCAA All-American Cougar freshman makes First-Team honors in AVCA as well

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rica Fava’s volleyball background is intense and the 5-foot-10 outside hitter became the second consecutive Western Nebraska Community College player to earn NJCAA First Team All-American honors after the NJCAA released the All-American lists on Wednesday.

But, her all-American wasn’t complete as a couple weeks later, Fava also earned another honor and this time it was from the AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Assocation). The AVCA put Fava on the First Team honors, which is a huge accomplishment considering the teams comprise juniors colleges from the west coast organizations through the NJCAA and puts players from Division I, II, and III together on the teams.

Fava, who played her senior year at Maize South High School in Wichita, Kansas, in 2019-20, had an exceptional year in her first year with the Cougar volleyball program.

Fava was excited when she heard she was a First Team All-American through the NJCAA. “Being First Team All-American is amazing,” she said. “It means that all the hard work paid off and for the better.”

Last April, Karen Cordero was named a First Team All-American for the Cougars. This year Fava joined Cordero as being only the 25th player in Cougar history to earn First Team honors. Fava has a chance to be only the fourth player in WNCC history to earn back-to-back First Team honors. The other three included Patty Azevedo in 2004 and 2005, Soriana Pacheco in 2006 and 2007, and Fernanda Goncalves in 2010 and 2011.

Fava not only made the NJCAA First Team All-American honors, but she was also selected by VolleyballMag.com as a member of the Division I All-American First Team.

That team just honors 12 players.

As for the NJCAA honor, Fava is one of 12 players on the first team, joining Region IX player Makenzie Templeton from Central Wyoming College on the team.

There were also 12 players selected for the

WNCC’s Erica Fava earned several honors this season being named as a First Team All-American by the NJCAA and a First Team All-American by the AVCA. Fava had over 500 kills and 500 digs this season.

second team and other six for honorable mention.

Fava said her season was alright, but it could have been better.

“Personally, this season was pretty good. I had a lot of kills and I improved a lot,” she said. “But I’m not satisfied. I want to get better and keep working to get where I want to be.”

Fava had an outstanding all-around season on the court. Fava finished the year with 549 kills, 512 digs, 67 aces, and 290 service points. She averaged 3.81 kills per set.

Fava said what she did on the court shows that she is just not an outside hitter.

“Having over 500 kills and 500 digs in a season shows that I’m not just an outside hitter, but I can play back row too,” she said. “And it helps me a lot since I’m not very tall.”

The AVCA honor is the topper for the season. Fava earned the honor on the AVCA team alongside two other players WNCC played this season in Yadhira Anchante of Iowa Western Community College and Marian Ovalle of New Mexico Military. Orvalle was the AVCA National Player of the Year. WNCC defeated New Mexico Military when they played them this past season.

It shouldn’t be no surprise of Fava’s volleyball skills since she has been playing volleyball since she was 6-years-old.

In 2019, Fava was an exchange student at Maize South High School in Wichita, Kansas. She said she had to leave Maize in April to go back home to Italy because of the Coronavirus pandemic that practically shut all of the high school sports down.

Continued on next page

n Fava earns NJCAA, AVCA First Team honors ...

At Maize South, Fava was named to the AVCA Region I all-region team in helping her team the Kansas state tournament.

Her numbers at Maize South were quite impressive. She finished with 387 kills and 279 digs along with 78 ace serves and 24 blocks. She had a hitting percentage of .333. She averaged 4.0 kills per sent and 6.5 digs per set.

After she left Maize South to go back home to Italy because of the pandemic, Fava said that she really didn’t think about playing in college. But, while in Italy, she started to get offers and that was when she decided to pursue playing collegiately.

“Playing volleyball in college wasn’t really my plan, but I started getting a lot of offers so I started considering coming back to the United States to play college volleyball,” she said. “Once I got back to Italy, I received coach Binny’s [Canales] email and I decided to come here.”

Next year she has even bigger goals and one is just get even better and also win a Region IX title.

“I’ve improved a lot but it’s not enough, I still have to work a lot,” she said. “My goal for next year is to win the region IX tournament and then carry my team to nationals.”

So far, though, her first year of college has been a learning experience.

“What I’ve learned from college volleyball this year is that it’s challenging,” she said. “As a player, you have to be mentally and physically strong.”

She was that. The one highlight from this past year that sticks out was the home match against Iowa Western Community College. Even though WNCC lost in five sets, it was one of the most exciting

Erica Fava (right) and Macey Boggs (left) show off the many awards they earned this season by the Region IX South. Fava was the Player and Freshman of the Year while Boggs was the Setter of the Year.

matches for the players and the spectators.

Iowa Western went on to win the national tournament in November, which was the second national title for the volleyball in 2021 after winning the title in April.

Iowa Western had two NJCAA All-Americans in Yadhira Anchante on the first team and Dayan Malave on the second team. Anchante was also named

the Player of the Year for VolleyballMag. com’s all-American list.

“A highlight from this year is when we played Iowa western at Cougar Palace,” Fava said. “That was probably the best game we’ve ever had. The atmosphere in the gym was incredible. We played as a team and the energy was amazing.”

By Mark Rein, Sports Information

WNCC Volleyball NJCAA First Team All-Americans Through the Years Nicole Quinnett (1988) Lyndsey Finney (2000) Silvia Oliveira (2001) Heather Engleman (2002) Giovana Melo (2003) Agata Rezende (2003) Patty Azevedo (2004) Patty Azevedo (2005) Bianca Rivera (2006)

Soriana Pacheco (2006) Soriana Pacheco (2007) Fatima Balza (2008) Nayka Benitez (2008) Kaleinani Kabalis (2009) Sabina Piegza (2009) Fernanda Goncalves (2010) Fernanda Goncalves (2011) Debora Araujo (2011)

Danika Youngblood (2012) Luiza Martins (2012) Fabiana Andrade (2015) Jady Gerotto (2015) Barbara Briceno (2016) Karen Cordero (2021--Spring) Erica Fava (2021--Fall)

2021-22 WNCC Athletic Honors Volleyball

Men’s Soccer

Women’s Soccer

Region IX South All-Region Erica Fava, Macey Boggs, Ali Meoni, Hyleigh Fornstrom

Region IX All-Region First Team Rodrigo Cercal, Forward Washington Alves, Mid-fielder

Region IX All-Region Second Team Raquel Ferreira, Defender Vanessa Vasquez, Forward

Region IX South Player of the Year Erica Fava

Honorable Mention Saugat Rai, Mid-fielder Jacob Collins, Defender Vitor Huertas, Defender

Honorable Mention Litzi Delarosa, Mid-fielder

Region IX South Freshman of the Year Erica Fava

Freshman of the Year Rodrigo Cercal

Region IX South Setter of the Year Macey Boggs

NJCAA Player of the Week Rodrigo Cercal

Region IX All-Tournament Erica Fava, Hyleigh Fornstrom

VolleyballMag.com First Team Erica Fava NJCAA First Team All-American Erica Fava AVCA First Team All-American Erica Fava

Former WNCC softball coach named head coach at Trinity Valley

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rinity Valley Community College has turned to a proven winner to lead the Lady Cardinal softball pro-

gram.

Maria Winn-Ratliff, owner of a 717-312-1 record, has been named the third head coach in program history. She replaces co-head coaches Kathleen and James Rodriguez, both of whom resigned after five seasons recently to accept positions at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

“We are extremely excited about having Maria and her husband Ed join the Cardinal family,” said TVCC athletic director Eddie Kite. “Her success at previous schools should elevate the softball program to new heights. I believe the softball program is in great hands and cannot wait to watch the team play this spring.”

Winn-Ratliff is no stranger to Region XIV. The athletic director/head softball coach at Galveston College the past year, was head softball coach at Tyler Junior

College for three seasons from 2016-19.

She led TJC to three NJCAA tournament appearances in compiling a 164-42 record.

She was 11-1 against the Lady Cardinals while at TJC. Prior to TJC, she had a highly successful 12-year tenure at Western Nebraska Community College from 2004-16. At Western Nebraska, she posted a 535218-1 record, qualified for five NJCAA tournaments and won eight conference championships.

In her last four seasons at Western Nebraska, Winn-Ratliff recorded 50-plus wins each season.

Winn-Ratliff has eight Coach of the Year awards to her credit (six at Western Nebraska and two at Tyler) and has coached 15 NJCAA All-Americans.

She also served as head coach one season at Louisiana Tech University and had tenures as an assistant coach at Central Methodist University, Armstrong Atlantic State University and Bemidji State University.

Winn-Ratliff has a Master of Education from Central Methodist University and Master of Public Health from Armstrong Atlantic State University. She received a Bachelor of Science from Columbia College.

She played softball two seasons at Missouri Valley College and two seasons at Columbia College.

Winn-Ratliff inherits a Lady Cardinal team coming off a 33-13 and Region XIV East Zone Tournament championship season. The Lady Cardinals qualified for the NJCAA tournament for the second time in program history.

“Our community is going to really enjoy getting to know Maria and her staff.” Kite said. “Her values for building a program and empowering young female student-athletes align with the values of TVCC athletics, developing good students, good citizens and good athletes.”

— Trinity Valley Athletics Press Release

Garner, Blomenkamps to be inducted Second athletic Hall of Fame ceremony slated for Jan. 28

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he second WNCC Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held January 28 when former Cougar men’s basketball player Bernard Garner and Neal and Lora Blomenkamp will be enshrined into the Cougar Athletic Hall of Fame.

The first hall of fame induction ceremony was held in January 2017 and enshrined WNCC and NBA great Bobby Jackson along with NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Dick “Night Train” Lane, who played a semester at Scottsbluff Junior College before having a storied NFL career.

This year’s ceremony will take place on Friday, January 28 at halftime of the WNCC and Otero men’s basketball game. That game will start at 8 p.m. with the women’s game slated to start at 6 p.m. Garner and the Blomenkamps will be inducted in a special ceremony at 5 p.m. on January 28 before the games.

Both Garner and the Blomenkamps played a major role in the emergence of Cougar athletics.

Neal and Lora Blomenkamp, who operate the Runza Restaurants in the valley, have been a loyal support of WNCC athletics and managed the first Runza in Scottsbluff around 1985.

Later, they opened a Runza in Monument Mall and Gering, before closing the Monument Mall location.

The Blomenkamps not only supported WNCC but they have been loyal followers of all Cougar athletics as well as all area high schools and sporting events.

Blomenkamps’ children also attended WNCC. Brooke (Blomenkamp) Samualson played for the Cougar volleyball team in 2008 and 2009 while the younger Blomenkamp, Tanner, attended for a year before joining the military.

Runza and the Blomenkamps sponsor the game tickets, purchased a volleyball net for the team that said Runza on it, and have teams in the annual Cougar Golf Classic.

While the Blomenkamps and Runza have been a major supporter of helping the athletic department grow, the player that will be inducted also grew as a player at WNCC before helping the Nebraska men’s basketball team

Bernard Garner goes up for two points in a game for the Cougars back in the mid 1990s. Garner, who went on to play at Nebraska, still holds the career scoring record for WNCC 1,304 points. Garner will be inducted into the Cougar Athletic Hall of Fame on January 29.

to a NIT title in 1997.

Bernard Garner, who came to WNCC because of a phone call from then head coach Dave “Soupy” Campbell, said the college changed his life.

“It’s a great honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. I never thought this moment would ever happen,” Garner said. “Thanks, to Coach Soupy Campbell and Coach Dewy, and all of the dorm parents and sponsors.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. But, overall the whole Western Nebraska Community College Program.”

Garner said was surprised that he was being inducted.

During his time at WNCC, Garner became the Cougars’ all-time scoring leader with 1,304 points. He averaged xx.x points a contest and helped the Cougars to the national tournament, finishing third in the 1995 national tournament. Garner is first in career points with Jervay Green in second.

Green played for WNCC from 2017-19 and also signed with Nebraska, where he played a year.

Garner is 19th in career average leaders at 16.94 a contest and ninth in career made free throws with 191. Garner also made 123

Continued on next page

n Garner, Blomenkamps to be inducted in hall of fame ...

3-pointers and is eighth in career 3-point leaders with 369 points.

As for season stats, Garner is one of just six players to score 700 points in a season, finishing with 708 in 1994-95. He had 596 in his freshman year. Garner has the fourth highest point total in a contest when he scored 47 points against Hagerstown, Maryland, on December 1, 1994. He has had five 30-plus games and 29 20-lus games in his career.

Garner was also honored with the NJCAA National Men’s Basketball Player of the Year.

And how Garner came to WNCC is an interesting story and it involved Campbell.

Ganer went to Many, Louisiana, High School and after graduating in 1992, he went to South Florida Community College.

Garner said he didn’t like it there and came home.

“I made up my mind about Florida that i’am not going back,” Garner said. “So, my high school was having a holiday tournament over the Christmas break and I attended with some of my high school homies. We were good young men and I ran into a college recruiter whose name was Joe. He asked what i was doing. I said to Joe I’m looking for a school to go to. I asked him if he can put the word out which he did.

“I had made my mind up. I don’t care who and where they at, i’m going because I may never get another shot. So a day or to may have went by and I was like nobody called. I was kind of in tears. My brother and mother would come and check on me. I, was in my room and not out with my homies running around the neighborhood. This particular day, I was looking out the window from my room. I looked up in the trees and there were birds everywhere. I’m like it’s a nice day. Closed the curtain to my window and the phone rang but it wasn’t for me. I could hear my mother laughing and talking with her co-workers over the phone. I was like she need to get off the phone. What I’m trying to do is more important than her co-workers.

But I wasn’t going to say that to her because I knew what was going to happen to me if i did.

“So, she hung up the phone. It rings again and my mother said, ‘Bernard telephone.’ I, jumped up and ran in there a got the phone.

It Coach David “Soupy” Campbell! I said, in a deep voice, ‘hello coach. How, are you?’

“He said. ‘Good and you!’

“I said, ‘I be fine if you call for me to come to your school.’

“He said, ‘Yes! I, spoke with Joe.’ “I said, ‘Yes Sir! Joe is a good guy.’

“Coach, Campbell said, ‘I’ve now him for many years. ‘ “I’m, waiting for coach to finish talking.

I’m like man come on with it in my mind.

“He asked, ‘Are you still looking for a college to go to.’

“I’m like yes. “‘Well, I’m from Western Nebraska Community College.’

“I said, “where?’ “‘We, are in Nebraska.’

“I am like what were is that?

“Coach said, ‘We are 3 hrs from Denver!’

“I’m like, ‘Denver.”

“Coach said, ‘Has anyone called you bout college.’ “‘No, Sir! Coach, you are the first.’ And the last cause I said to myself I don’t care who calls me. I’m taking the first call. An, that’s how i got to Scottsbluff.

Garner said that Coach Campbell became the father figure in his life since he was raised in a single parent household and Bernard was the youngest of six children.

Coach Campbell become the father figure in my life.

“We argued and fussed and I truly love him. Not, only him, but his wife Nancy and the Campbell Family,” Garner said. “I also had great dorm parents What, great memories we all had together.”

Garner said he would like to thank Coach Campbell and WNCC and the all the booster families for making it like home away from home.

After WNCC, Garner attended the University of Nebraska and helped them to the NIT title in 1996.

At Nebraska, he averaged 10.7 points and 6.3 rebounds as a starter his junior year and 9.9 points and 5.4 rebounds his senior year.

Garner was named to the Big 12’s All-Bench Team his senior year.

After Nebraska, Garner stayed in Lincoln and about 20 years later, he went back to school to get his bachelor’s degree.

Today he is living back home in Louisiana doing community projects.

Garner has three children Alexis Garner, who is a grad student at the University of Nebraska Omaha studying Audiology.

His other two kids attend school in Lincoln. His song, Christopher Bernard Garner, Jr., is 13 and attends Norris junior high while his daughter CeCe is 11 and in the sixth grade and plays volleyball and soccer.

By Mark Rein, Sports Information

Holiday Recipes from WNCC Athletics Oreo Balls

by Elli Winker, volleyball

Ingredients 40 Oreos 1 Pkg Cream Cheese 16-ounze of vanilla or chocolate melts First crush the Oreos with a food processor or by hand. Slowly add in the cream cheese until well combined.

Next, scoop the Oreo filling out into about 1 inch balls and freeze for 15 minutes.

While the Oreo balls are freezing, melt your chocolate in the microwave until smooth. Pull the Oreo balls out of the freezer, dip into chocolate, let the chocolate set, and decorate with chocolate drizzle and extra Oreo crumbles.

Sugar-free Fruit Salad

by Mark Rein, Sports Information Ingredients 4 (16-oz) Cans sliced peaches (no-sugar added) 1 (16-oz) Pineapple chunks (no sugar added) 4 to 6 bananas Fresh or frozen strawberries 1(8-oz) box sugar-free instant vanilla pudding 1 (3-oz or 1 Tbsp) sugar-free Tang mix

Drain pineapple chunks. In large bowl combine peaches with juice, pineapple, strawberries, and sliced bananas. The peaches and strawberries might need to be cut into bite-size pieces. Sprinkle instant pudding mix and Tang over top of fruit. Stir well and refrigerate.

Green Bean Casserole

by Taylor Klein, softball

Molasses Crinkles

by Kaitlin Vanderhoff, softball

Ingredients: 1 Can (10.5 oz Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (fat-free or unsalted can be used as well) 1/2 Cup Milk 1 Tsp Soy Sauce 4 Cups Cooked Cut Green Beans 1 1/3 Cups French’s French Fried Onions (amount divided in recipe below)

Ingredients 3/4 Cup Shortening 1 Cup Brown Sugar 1 Egg 1/2 Cup Molasses 1 Tsp Cinnamon 2 1/4 Cup Flour 2 Tsp Baking Soda 1/4 Tsp Salt 1/2 Tsp Cloves 1 Tsp Ginger Red Hots (optional)

Step 1 Heat the oven to 350°F. Stir the soup, milk, soy sauce, beans and 2/3 cup onions in a 1 1/2-quart casserole. Season the mixture with salt and pepper.

Step 2 Bake for 25 minutes or until hot. Stir the bean mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining 2/3 cup onions.

Step 3 Bake for another 5 minutes or until the onions are golden brown.

Mix the ingredients together in order. Put spoonfuls on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Enjoy.

Happy Holidays from WNCC Cougar Athletic Department

Broken Glass Dessert

by Mark Rein, Sports Information Ingredients 1 PKG Red Jello 1 Pkg Lime Jello 1 Pkg Lemon or Orange Jello 1 Cup Pineapple Juice I Packet Unflavored Gelatin 1 Pine Whipped Cream 2 Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs 1/4 Cup Butter Take the Graham Cracker crumbs and mix with butter. Press in 9x13 pan. Dissolve each package jello separately in 1 1/2 cups hot water. Place in refrigerator trays and when firm cut in small cubes. Boil pineapple juice and add sugar and plain geletin mixture. Set aside and cool. Whit the cream and fold in cool pineapple mixture. Fold in the cubed jello. Pour over crushed mixture and top with graham cracker crumbs.

ALUMNI ATHLETIC NEWS

Scottsbluff Junior College l Nebraska Western College l Western Nebraska Community College

Former Cougars doing well in overseas basketball league

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urobasket LLC supplied a list of how former Cougars are doing in pro basketball.

Francisco Cruz, who played in 200910, currently plays in Turkey and could not help Tofas Bursa (4-6) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Tofas Bursa lost 82-72 on the road to the higher-ranked (#3) Fenerbahce. Cruz was the top scorer with 16 points.

He also added 3 assists in 29 minutes. Cruz has relatively good stats this year at 13.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.9apg and 1.2spg in 13 games played.

Scott Bamforth, who played in 2009-10, plays in France and led Le Mans Sarthe Basket to a victory over the closely-ranked Le Portel 88-80 in the French Betclic ELITE ProA. He was MVP of the game. Bamforth scored 18 points and added 4 assists while going 7-for-7 at the free throw line). Bamforth is a natural-

Cougar Culture

Erica Fava and Ale Meoni Volleyball Favorite Holiday Tradition New Year’s Resolution

Favorite Christmas Song Favorite Winter Activity

What is Santa’s Favorite Treat

In Italy, to have dinner with family on Christmas Eve with hot chocolate and exchange presents at midnight.

Erica: Save more money and cook more Ale: Go back to Italy and lose weight Erica: “All I Want For Christmas is You” by Mariah.

Ale: “Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Hanging out with our families in the living room with the fireplace and watching Netflix with hot chocolate

Santa’s favorite treat is giving gifts to kids and bringing happiness.

ized Kosovan.

Djordje Dimitrijevic, who played in 2016-18 plays in Serbia and contributed to an easy victory against the 15th-ranked Tamis PN crushing them 89-64 in the Serbian KLS. Dimitrijevic scored 13 points and added 5 assists.

Ecperience J.P. Batista, who played in 200203 plays pro in Brazil. Batista contributed to an easy victory against Fortaeza 91-74, recording 10 points.

Andrew Ramirez, who played in 2015-16 plays in Denmark and was a key contributor in Copenhagen’s victory over league outsider Amager. Ramirez had 22 points and seven rebounds.

Vinnie Shahid, who played in 2016-18, plays in France in the French NMI. Shahid was not able to earn a win in a 92-69 defeat. Shahid had

Brian Bruxvroot Baseball Christmas Eve dinner with family Haven’t thought about it.

“Carol of the Bells” Snow Boarding

Milk and Cookies

Andrea Jimenez Women’s Soccer

28 points with seven rebounds.

Du’Vaughn Maxwell, who played in 2010-12, plays in Ukraine and helped them to an 81-71 win with nine points.

Phil Fayne, who played in 2015-16, plays in Germany and was not able to help Jobstairs Giessen 46ers.

Marko Rajanovic, plays in Serbia and helped Proleter’s to a win by scoring 13 points.

Terrance Motley, who played in 2011-12, plays in Ukraine and helped Krivbas Kryvyi Rih to a win against Cherkasy. He scored only 2 points.

Other former WNCC players who play in pro basketball: include Sebastian Suarez, Deividas Busma, Raul Delgado, Diamond Onwuka, Julio Guity, Ricards Pinne, Leon Tomic, Michael Sparks, and RJ Palmer.

— Courtesy of EuroBasket LLC

Quinn McCafferty Baseball

DesaRae Woolsey Softball

Getting together with family

Stay in PJs all day, open presents, and watch Christmas movies

Spend less money

Get stronger mentally and and physically

“All I Want For Christmas Is You”

by Mariah

“All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah

Drink coffee and walk downtown

Snow football

Ice skating

Cookies and Milk

Double Stuffed Oreos and milk

Milk and Cookies

Celebrate with the family from the 16th to 24th what is known as Posadas To be ready for what is coming and whatever comes my wayit will help me grow as a person.

Feliz Navidad

Answers to the Cougar Trivia from page two ...

1) Erica Fava had 57 ace aerves this season and the record for ace serves in a season belongs to Soriana Pacheco with 148 set in 2007.

2) That goes to Jacob Collins, who was awarded seven yellow cards during the season.

Second goes to Yugo Brito and Dante Rafaela each with two.

3)The most yellow cards by the Cougar women’s soccer team was four and that was Vanessa Vasquez. Ironically, only seven other players were issued a yellow card just once during the season.

4) That goes to Carter Brown, who had made

18 treys followed closely behind by Agqa Nysesh, who tallied 17 triples.

Division I university was Joevannie Peart, who signed with the University of Cincinnati.

5) That goes to Shanti Henry who has made 20 3-pointers this season. Shanti now has 187 career points scored from beyond the arc, which is now 23rd in career 3-point shooting

9) The first women’s soccer player to sign with a Division I university after WNCC was Andrea Ardito, who played for the Cougars in 2007 and 2008 and then played for Weber State in Utah in 2009.

6) That record goes back to the 1997-98 season when the team had a streak of 24 games holding opponents under 60 points.

7) That was in the 1978-79 season when the Cougars went 31-7 under head coach Ron Brillhart and also won their first Region IX title.

8) The first men’s soccer player to sign with a

10) It wasn’t until 2005 in Todd Rasnic’s first year that the men’s team had Scottsbluff players and they had three in Brad Nielson, Aaron Hanna and Aaron Hanna. On the girls’ side, it was the first year of 2003 when four Scottsbluff girls played in Leah Kleager, Tera Schmid, Sondra Holloway, and Brianne Feuz all played for WNCC.

Cougar Frontline Sponsors Platinum Sponsors Absolute Painting B&C Steel Bellevue University FBG Fremont Motors Ideal Linen LOGOz Peerless Tire Pepsi Perkins Platte Valley Bank Quick Care Regional West Runza Scottsbluff Screenprinting Steel Grill TEAM Chevrolet/Toyota US Bank Western States Bank

Gold Sponsors Ameri-Co Carriers Bluff ’s Sanitary Supply Douglas, Kelly, Ostdiek, Ossian, Vogl, and Snyder, P.C. Gary’s Cleaning Inland Truck JBC, Inc. Monument Smiles Reganis Auto

Blue Sponsors Back-a-racks Bid It Bob Bluffs Vision First State Bank Floyd’s Truck Service Hampton Inn & Suites Holyoke, Snyder, Longoria, Reichert, Rice Law Hurst Sports Racquet Intralinks Panhandle COOP Pinnacle Bank Roosevelt Public Power Safetyline Consultants Sandberg Implement Sherman-Williams Simmons-Olsen Law Firm

White Sponsors Advantage Chiropractic Chadron State College Carr-Trumbull Lumber Dominos Johnson Cashway JC Golf Carts Kendell Henderson/American Family Insurance Kriz-Davis/Border States Electric R/C Welding Rusch’s General Contracting Scottsbluff Star-Herald

Billy Engel Basketball

Katelyn Groves Softball

Mike Jones Baseba ll

Binny Canales Volleyball

Todd Rasnic Soccer

Rya Burgnn Athlet er Direct ic or

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from WNCC Cougar Athletics Chad Gibney Basketball

Assistant Coaches

Brooke Kaawa Owen Parra Christina Nelson Isaac Lu

Doug Jones

Athletic Trainer

Mark Rein

Sports Information

Colin Gause Alexandra Lutz

Athletic Secretary

Shawn Hergenrader