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Trenton, Missouri – In addition to the NCMC Women’s Basketball Region Tournament Championship banner that will soon be raised in the Ketcham Community Center, six Pirate and Lady Pirate athletes plus Women’s Basketball Head Coach Jenni Croy were honored at this past weekend’s region tournament.
Receiving 1st Team All-Region honors for women’s basketball were sophomores Kendey Eaton and Sarah Lamp. This was the second year that each have received this award. Eaton averaged 16 points per game for the Lady Pirates while shooting just over 45% from the field. Lamp posted 14.2 points per game and pulled down an average of 10 rebounds per game. “Kendey Eaton is one of the best point guards to come through our program. She finds a way to score in tough situations. Kendey's game continues to grow each time she steps on the floor. She is very respected amongst our region coaches. Sarah Lamp is the best rebounder to ever come through our program. Sarah is our all-time leading rebounder, shattering the previous record. Sarah is our vocal leader whose game continues to improve with each practice and each game,” commented Coach Jenni Croy about her sophomore leaders.
Additionally, freshman Whitley Richman earned 2nd Team All-Region honors for her efforts, scoring 8.9 points per game and grabbing 8 rebounds per game. “Whitley gained the respect of our region coaches with her effort and ability to guard and rebound. She creates a problem for our opponents each game with her quickness at the post position. She's also a great passer and can create shots not only for herself but her teammates as well,” remarked Croy of the former Trenton High School standout.
On the men’s side, sophomore Jalen Gant was named Region 16 Player of the Year. He boasted an impressive 21.4 points per game for the Pirates. “Jalen was the toughest matchup in region play for opponents and probably the toughest matchup for most teams that we played all year. He is a very talented kid who definitely earned his Region Player of the Year award. Jalen led us in both points and rebounds this year and was a great leader for our program every day in practice. He is going to go on and have a bright future at whatever school he decides on at the university level,” commented Coach Jeremy Esry.
Also earning 1st Team All-Region Honors were sophomore Ryan Ward and freshman Jordan Reece. Each averaged scoring in double figures with Reece totaling 13.6 points and Ward tallying 12.7 points. “Ryan had some really big games for us this year and when he was on, there was not a better deep ball shooter in our region. He has been our most consistent and hardest worker for the last two years and had a great career at NCMC because of it. I’m excited to see what Ryan’s future holds,” remarked Esry of Ward. “Jordan was a great surprise for us this year. He came up from Wichita Falls, TX, and we knew a little bit about him and his talent but he surprised us every day with his athletic ability and his willingness to learn and get better. Jordan had a great freshman year and proved himself to be one of the top three freshmen in the region. With some hard work this spring and summer, Jordan could put himself in a situation to compete for a Region Player of the Year award next year,” commented Esry of his top freshman performer.
Winning Region 16 Coach of the Year honors for women’s basketball was Jenni Croy. This is the third time in the past five years Croy has received this award. “We are very proud of Coach Croy for the award she has received. She has had a very successful run at NCMC and we look forward to many more years of success with our women’s basketball program,” commented Athletic Director Steve Richman.
Congratulations to all of the men’s and women’s basketball players and coaches on excellent seasons.