A Weekly Look Into Region IX Athletics
Region IX
Highlights
2
Week 16 Jan. 24, 2014
Three Region IX teams in men’s poll Western Wyoming on track to host regionals There are three men’s teams in the national polls this week. North Platte, who was No. 3, fell to No. 7. South Plains College who defeated a couple Regions IX teams this season, is the new No. 1 team. Gillette College is also making a run for a top finish, and possibly a at-large berth into the national tournament. The Pronghorns set at No. 18 with an 18-2 record. Gillete had won 17 straight and is one of the highest scoring teams in the nation. Also among the top 25 is Northeastern Junior College, who moved up two spots to No. 23. The Plainsmen are 17-2 on the season and are making noise in the sub-region to host the regional tournament. The plainsmen have won five straight since falling to North Platte in December. NJC has defeated McCook, Lamar, WNCC, and Eastern Wyoming in sub-region play and their closest game was a 3-point win over WNCC 85-83. The Feb. 4 game between NJC and North Platte at Sterling will be a key contest of who will have the upper hand in hosting regionals. As for the women’s division, Western Wyoming is in the driver’s seat to host regionals after dropping Northwest Wyoming this week 75-60. The Mustangs are 7-1 in sub-region play, while Northwest Wyoming is 6-2 followed by Gillette at 5-2. Lamar leads the south with a 4-0 mark followed by Trinidad at 3-1.
Left; Casper’s Shanda Post battles for a rebound with WNCC’s Liz Dogan during game on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at Cougar Palace. Below: Casper’s Tanner Morgan boxes out WNCC’s Brandon Morley as he fights for a rebound on a missed free throw during their game at Cougar Palace.