Bryant & Stratton, Morton continue runs of success atop Region 4
MILWAUKEE, WISC. & CICERO, ILL. - One year after playing each other for the Region 4 championship, Bryant & Stratton College and Morton College were able to go their separate ways towards each claiming a 2022 NJCAA Region 4 Division II (Midwest District A & B) Tournament Championships. The top-seeded Bobcats ran away from the competition en route to their second region title in three years and third overall, while the top-seeded Panthers fared much the same to earn repeat crowns.
Bryant & Stratton College began postpeason play with a 103-78 defeat of #5 Kishwaukee College in the semifinals, and then routed #2 Oakton Community College by a 110-58 margin to become winners of the Midwest District A bracket. The Bobcats doubled up the Owls in the opening quarter by a 24-12 margin before really opening up the game with a 36-14 differential in the second quarter. Leading 60-26 at the break, they cruised to the finish line to each Jeff Lorenz the Region 4 Coach of the Year Award. Six players scored in double-figures, led by Region 4 Tournament Most Valuable Player La'Janique Perry Ellis. The sophomore guard poured in 24 points and eight rebounds. The trio of Mikkalla Robertson, Carley Burchardt, and Trya Maas joined Ellis on the Region 4 All-Tournament Team after combining for 44 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists.
Morton College mirrored the road traveled by BSC as they downed #8 Elgin Community College 95-36 in the quarterfinals, and then dropped a 113-59 decision on #4 McHenry County College to reach the Midwest District A title game. There, the Panthers ran roughshod over #2 Black Hawk College by a 101-51 differential. A 22-8 first quarter run and a 29-10 second quarter gave Morton College a 51-18 halftime lead as they worked towards the 50-point victory and a Region 4 Coach of the Year Award for Jason Nichols. Sophomore guard Tadriana Heard drained four 3-pointers as she tallied 18 points and six assists ahead of being voted Region 4 Tournament Most Valuable Player. Teammates Mia Simpson and Dylan Van Fleet were also named to the Region 4 All-Tournament Team after Van Fleet posted a double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds, while Simpson added 17 points off the bench.
Bryant & Stratton College and Morton College, ranked #6 and #10 in the final NJCAA Division II Poll, respectively, both qualified for the 2022 NJCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championships in Port Huron, Michigan, from March 15-19. The 25-3 Bobcats were awarded the #5 seed and will see #12 and undefeated Edison State Community College (OH/29-0) in the opening round. At 27-2, the Panthers are the #7 seed and begin the tournament taking on #10 Union County Community College (NJ/25-4). Winners will advance to the quarterfinals, while losers will drop into the consolation bracket.
2022 Region 4 Division II (Midwest District A) All-Tournament Team
Amy Campbell - Oakton Community College
Nessa Walsh - Oakton Community College
Mikkalla Robertson - Bryant & Stratton College
Carley Burchardt - Bryant & Stratton College
Trya Maas - Bryant & Stratton College
La'Janique Perry Ellis - Bryant & Stratton College
Region 4 Tournament MVP
La'Janique Perry Ellis - Bryant & Stratton College
Region 4 Coach of the Year
Jeff Lorenz - Bryant & Stratton College
2022 Region 4 Division II (Midwest District B) All-Tournament Team
Megan Teal - Black Hawk College
Alicia Garcia - Black Hawk College
Lexi Nichols - Black Hawk College
Mia Simpson - Morton College
Dylan Van Fleet - Morton College
Tadriana Heard - Morton College
Region 4 Tournament MVP
Tadriana Heard - Morton College
Region 4 Coach of the Year
Jason Nichols - Morton College