SGTC Jets, Lady Jets split games on Sophomore Day

   The number one National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) ranked South Georgia Technical College Lady Jets completed the regular Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) season with a perfect 15 – 0 record after securing a 76 – 62 win over the NJCAA 23^rd ranked East Georgia State College Lady Bobcats on Sophomore Day.  The Jets lost to the GCAA top-ranked Georgia Highlands Chargers 82 – 66.

   South Georgia Technical College recognized the 14 sophomore members of the Jets and Lady Jets as part of the SGTC Alumni-Sophomore Day celebration that included student activities, a free hot dog and hamburger cookout and tailgate provided by the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce and IMERYS, as well as free t-shirts for everyone in attendance.  SGTC is celebrating its 75^th anniversary this year.  SGTC Athletic Director and Lady Jets head coach James Frey was also recognized for securing his 300^th career victory as a head coach this season.

    There were nine Lady Jets and five Jets honored during the Sophomore Day Celebration.  Luana Leite, Loes Rozing, Da’Nae Williams, Alexia Dizeko, Susana Yepes, Mame Thiaw, Laurie Calixte, Fanta Gassama and Camryn James were the Lady Jets spotlighted as graduating sophomores and Jordan Brown, Aaron Pitts, Kallin Fonseca, Bryce Turner, and Nathan Wilson were the Jets singled out.

   In the opening game, two nationally ranked Division 1 women’s basketball teams were battling for bragging rights in the GCAA and the NJCAA.  East Georgia State challenged the Lady Jets early in the first half.  There were 12 lead changes and five ties before the SGTC Lady Jets took a 46 – 41 lead at the end of the first half and never looked back as they went ahead to the 76 – 62 victory.

   The top-ranked NJCAA Lady Jets captured the GCAA regular season title with a perfect 15 – 0 season.  They are 29 – 1 overall.  SGTC Lady Jets head coach James Frey earned the GCAA Coach of the Year honors for the seventh time in his 10-year career at SGTC.  The Lady Jets will now host the GCAA – NJCAA Region 17 end of the season tournament on Friday, March 3^rd and Saturday, March 4^th.

   The Lady Jets will open on Friday, March 3^rd at 6 p.m. against the winner of the Albany Tech – Central Georgia Tech quarterfinal game.  That game is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 28^th at 6 p.m. at Albany Tech.  East Georgia State will face off against the winner of the Georgia Highlands – Andrew College game at 8 p.m. in Americus on March 3^rd.  The two winners will advance to the finals on Saturday, March 4^th at 2 p.m.

   Sophomore Camryn James was the leading scoring for the Lady Jets in the match-up against East Georgia State.  She ended the game with 22 points, 13 rebounds, two blocked shots and three steals.  She had 10 of her 22 points at the end of the first half.

  Sophomores Alexia Dizeko, Luana Leite, and Fanta Gassama also posted double-figures in the match-up.  Dizeko ended up with 16 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.  Luana Leite followed with 14 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal.  Fanta Gassama closed out the double-digit scoring with 10 points, eight rebounds, one assist and one steal.

   Rounding out the scoring for the Lady Jets were Lauria Calixte with seven points, Susana Yepes with five and Loes Rozing with two points.

   After the Lady Jets won and the sophomore day recognition, the Jets took to the court to face the top-ranked Georgia Highlands Chargers.   Georgia Highlands is 13 – 1 and 19 – 9.  The Jets are 4 – 11 and 7 – 21.

   The two teams stayed close in the first half, but Georgia Highlands pulled ahead 42 – 37 at the half.  There were eight ties and four lead changes in that first 20-minute half.  SGTC could never close that gap and fell behind by as many as 22 points in the second half before losing 82 – 66.

   Sophomore Aaron Pits led the Jets in scoring with 17 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals.  Sophomore Bryce Turner posted 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals and then Jordan Brown closed out the double-digit scoring with 11 points, two rebounds, three assists and one steal.

   Sophomore Nathan Wilson walked away with nine points and 13 rebounds, and Kallin Fonseca posted eight points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals.  Tim Loud and Justin Evans both added three points and Ryan Djoussa had one point on the night.

   The Jets have one more regular season game.  They will travel to Cuthbert to face Andrew College at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 1^st.