CCBC Essex Women Division II Region 20 and Mid-Atlantic District Hoops Champs
FREDERICK, Md. – The CCBC Essex Knights won their third Division II women's basketball region title in four years, and second consecutive, after defeating the Montgomery College Raptors 106-65 on Saturday, March 11. The 2020-21 season featured a shortened list of participants due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Knights were wire-to-wire winners as Anasia Staton opened scoring with a three-point jumper and CCBC Essex never trailed in the game. The Knights were consistent scorers over the four quarters, averaging 26.5 points in each clip. The Raptors held the Knights to a small margin after the first, with the score of 23-16, but the Knights grew their lead to 51-27 going into the break. Montgomery struggled offensively in the third quarter, allowing the Knights to extend their lead to 77-40. Despite a 25-point fourth quarter by the Raptors, the 30-point deficit in the Knights favor had the championship secured.
Faith Blackstone led all scorers with 29 points while also pulling down 10 rebounds. Staton finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Tyler Gray had 10 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Heather Middleton added 11 points off the bench.
For Montgomery, Tiyanna James and Tamyra Timmons each scored 19 points. James added nine rebounds and four assists. Danayjha Moore scored 13 points and Kaleah Boykin secured nine rebounds.
The Knights advanced to the title game after defeating Howard Community College 95-52 on March 10. Blackstone would lead the Knights again offensively with 21 points. She also grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double. Cassandra Hawthorne dominated the boards pulling down 13 rebounds. Tiffany Hammond scored 20 points for CCBC Essex while Middleton added 15 points off five three-pointers. Gray also collected 10 rebounds, dished nine assists and swiped six steals.
Mikiyah Mallett had a double-double for Howard with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Nhaikyia Smith added 17 points and eight rebounds while Sydnei Harmon also scored eight points for the Dragons.
The Raptors knocked off the Garrett College Lakers in the semi-finals 57-44 to advanced to the championship round. James led Montgomery scorers with 19 points. Boykin had a huge double-double with 18 points and 16 rebounds. Bethany Fowler also collected 12 rebounds.
For the Lakers, Josie Canales led the offensive with 11 points. Josias Mickens scored seven points while adding 12 boards and seven steals. Aleeya Silver scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds.
Region All-Tournament Team
Josias Canales - Garrett
Mikiyah Mallett - Howard
Tiyanna James - Montgomery
Kaleah Boykin – Montgomery
Tyler Gray – CCBC Essex
Faith Blackstone – CCBC Essex – Tournament MVP
CCBC Essex, the second ranked team in the country, and Mid-Atlantic Champions, will represent Region 20 in the Division II National Tournament March 21-25 at SC4 Fieldhouse in Port Huron, Michigan. The Knights have earned the second seed in the tournament and play Grand Rapids Community College on Tuesday, March 21 at 3:00 p.m.