Northeastern State begins its quest for the NCAA Division II Women’s National Championship at noon Friday in the opening round of the South Central Regional against the University of Central Oklahoma on the campus of West Texas A&M; in Amarillo, Texas.

The RiverHawks (26-6) and Bronchos (22-7) will meet for the third time this season, with each team winning on its home floor. UCO won 77-74 in the first meeting in Edmond and NSU won at home, 81-66 in the rematch. Tip-off is set for noon at the First United Bank Center.

NSU will carry the No. 3 seed, having lost in the finals of the Lone Star Conference tournament to WTAMU.

Northeastern State senior Jessica White of Jenks is making her first venture into an NCAA National Tournament and she wants that coveted Division II National championship ring on her finger, when she leave she Tahlequah campus this spring.

“This means a lot to me because it’s my first NCAA Tournament since I’ve been here,” said White. “My freshman year we didn’t make the playoffs, as a sophomore I left that season bitter because we should have been in the regionals.

“Last year we had a good run with a lot of ups and downs, but didn’t leave the West Texas game on a good note. But, this year it’s a great opportunity going into the tournament as a three seed. “This just means the world to me and having the opportunity to go and showcase how good our team is and see how far we can go. I believe we can go very far. It just means a lot.”

The task to the Elite Eight in St. Joseph, Mo., on March 23, won’t be easy for the RiverHawks as three of the eight teams (Washburn No. 7, West Texas A&M; No. 9, Emporia State No. 15) in the South Central Regional are ranked among the top 25 in the latest Women’s Basketball Coaches Association poll. The RiverHawks just missed its first top 25-ranking ever, currently No. 27.

But step No. 1 to the Elite Eight is Central Oklahoma on Friday.

“We know it’s going to be a dogfight,” said White, who was named to the Lone Star Conference All-Tournament team last week. ”They are going to come in and play very hard. Everyone is fighting for another game. It’s going to be a very tough physical game. I’m also very confident in my team and believe in my team.”





Connors faces

Tenn. squad

Connors State’s men’s basketball team, fresh off its second consecutive Region II championship, takes a 30-2 mark against 21-8 Walters State (Tenn.) at 11 a.m. Wednesday in its first-round game of the National Junior College Athletic Association’s national tournament at Hutchinson, Kan.

The Cowboys are ranked No. 4 in the last NJCAA poll. Walters State is unranked. No. 1-ranked Midland, last year’s runner-up and the team that ended the Cowboys’ national title bid in the semifinals, did not make the tournament, leaving No. 2 Howard and as the only ranked team above Connors. Those two teams would meet in a second-round game should both win.

The tournament begins Tuesday and ends with Saturday’s 8 p.m. championship game.





Bacone draws top seed

The reward for Bacone making its first-ever trip to the NAIA national championship tournament: The No. 1 seed in the tournament as an opening-round opponent.

The Warriors (19-12) get No. 1 ranked and Mountain State (W.Va.) at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. The 26-2 Cougars have now earned the top seed in four of the last seven Championships, winning one title in 2004. This will be their 12th straight national tournament appearance.

The winner would go against Southern Polytechnic State or 16th-seeded Oklahoma City (17-9) on Friday at 10:45 a.m. Those two teams begin the tournament at 9 a.m.

The tournament concludes on Tuesday, March 23.