SGTC Jets defeat second ranked South Georgia State in last regular season game of 2016
Americus, GA – The seventh ranked South Georgia Technical College Jets upset the number two seeded South Georgia State College Hawks 70 – 62 Thursday night in the final regular season game for the two teams. The win allowed the Jets to move to 15 – 15 on the regular season and 6 – 10 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association play.
“I am so proud of the Jets with their effort last night,” said South Georgia Technical College Jets head coach Travis Garrett. “We had three days of good practice and it paid off. It is always good to end the regular season on a good note as we prepare for tournament play.”
Despite the exciting upset win over the higher seeded team, it did not change the final regular season conference standings for the Jets or for the Tigers. These same two teams will face off in the opening round of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XVII tournament which begins March 2nd. The Jets will travel to Waycross to face South Georgia State College on their home court in the opening round game. In the other opening round games, the top-ranked Georgia Highlands team will host either East Georgia or Albany Tech. The third seeded Central Georgia Tech team will host Atlanta Metro and finally Chattahoochee Tech will host Gordon College.
The winners of those games will face off in the semi-final round on Friday, March 4th and then the finals will be held on Monday, March 7th. The location will be at the highest remaining seed.
In the game Wednesday against South Georgia Tech, sophomore Demario Beck and freshman Rico Simmons were the leading scorers with 16 points each. Rico Simmons was four of four from the foul line in the final minutes of the game to keep the Jets ahead and out of reach of the Tigers.
Beck had a double-double game with 14 rebounds to go with his 16 points. Simmons also had three rebounds and two assists. Sophomore Corbyn Jackson was the only other Jet in double figures and he had 14 points. He also pulled in eight rebounds.
One of the differences in the game, may have been the defensive play of freshman Pat Welch. He scored six points but he was able to hold South Georgia State’s leading scorer Tyrone Sam to seven points. He is averaging 25.1 points per game this season.
Keyshawn Baker and Jalen Mitchell both scored five points for the Jets, Matt McMorris added four points and then Shaq Athie and Clarence Smith both closed out the scoring with two points each.
Three members of the South Georgia State team were in double-figures. Zaquavain Smith had 15 points, Dunavon Robinson added 11 and DeAudray Rhett posted 10 points.
“This was a big win, but now we will play at South Georgia State on Wednesday in the Region XVII tournament and that is the game that determines whether or not we advance. We have proved that we can play with anybody. We just have to play the entire game,” said Garrett. “We are looking forward to another chance next week.”