By John M. Sherrard
(Walnut, CA) Bring on the playoffs!! With 28 wins in their hip pocket, the Mt. SAC Women's Basketball team is ready and poised to defend its California Community College Athletic Association State title as the post season looms next week.
After an easy, 77-41, South Coast Conference North victory over Chaffey College on Sophomore night, Mt. SAC will now turn its sites to the second season and await the pairings to be released on Monday by the CCCAA.
The night featured the "Coaches for Cancer" as the Mountie fans contributed towards the fight to erase breast cancer. Proceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society.
In addition, members of the 2004 CCCAA State Championship team were honored. They were the first Mt. SAC Women's Basketball team to capture the state title.
This year the CCCAA playoffs will add more teams in the state championships. The last few years the format has been a final four format with two from the north and south. It will double with eight teams (four from North and South) as it was a few years ago.
"And now the real season begins," Mt. SAC coach Brian Crichlow said. "We finished off strong in conference and hopefully we have some momentum going into the next season.
"This is a win or go home situation."
Leading the way for the Mounties (28-2) was sophomore forward, Kali Jones (6-8 FG, 6-7 FT, 6 RB, steal, blk) with a game-high 18 points.
Sophomore guard, Maddeline Dopplick (2-4 3PM, assist, 2 steals) and freshman guard, Dominique McLaughlin contributed nine and eight points respectively.
Leading scorer off the bench was sophomore forward, Tshlene Bentley (4-6 FG, 2-3 FT, asst., steal) with 10 points.
The bench totaled 32 points, one of its largest contributions of the season.
"We're really deep with our bench and can go one through 13," Crichlow added.
The Mounties have been averaging almost 20 bench-points this season.
"This year we have a very athletic team and have a lot of talent," said sophomore guard, Allyah George (4 pints), who played on the 2016 State Championship team.
"I would love to get a championship again and make it back-to-back."
Mt. SAC took an 18-7 first-quarter lead and increased it to 43-15 halftime advantage.
The second half still favored the Mounties as they outscored the Panthers, 34-26.
Bentley, who was also a member of the defending state title team, was confident of her teams' chances in the playoffs.
"Ultimately the concept is still the same and the principles are the same and it's all going to come down to Mt. SAC Basketball," Tshlene said.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.