JACKSONVILLE, Texas — The Tyler Junior College Apache Ladies entered the Region XIV Tournament as the 2-seed, only behind Trinity Valley.
Many would say the first few rounds of this tournament are a formality before we finally get the prime time match-up of TJC taking on TVCC for the Region XIV crown, but first things first, Head Coach Trenia Tillis Hoard and her team had to take care of business against the Jacksonville College Lady Jaguars.
The first quarter of this first round game was clunky. Whistles blowing left and right, injury timeouts, and a lengthy delay due to foul confusion by the referees lead to a stagnant first few minutes.
To Jacksonville College's credit, the Lady Jags battled. The fire and passion displayed by Rylee Lavender and the defense played by Kemara Hyson helped light a spark for Jacksonville, but when water found it's level, players like Nala Hemingway, Veonce Powell and Deborah Ogayemi helped carry the Apache Ladies to an easy 99-63 victory.
TJC will take the floor Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. against Blinn College in the second round of the Region XIV Tournament.