Hurley’s triple-double, Finley’s second-half surge, leads NCMC to road sweep at WMA

The North Central Missouri College basketball teams were able to grab important momentum-seizing victories on Wednesday night in Lexington, sweeping a Region XVI doubleheader against the Wentworth Military Academy Red Dragons in games played at the Wikoff Athletic Center.

The Lady Pirates hammered a rebuilding Dragon squad by a score of 97-37, with a balanced effort from the North Central women led by a triple-double attained by sophomore guard McKinley Hurley.  The Trenton native and 2015 THS graduate stuffed the stat sheet to the tune of 12 points, 11 assists, and 12 rebounds, as NCMC improved to 18-6 overall, and 4-1 in Region play (1/2 game behind St. Louis CC).  Sarah Lamp led the winning side with 19 points, while Kendey Eaton had 17, Kelly Warford 16, Jami Nickerson 13, and Madison Gonseth 11 points.  North Central played all seven women on its active roster, and nearly had all players in double-digit scoring.  Sophomore guard Adrianna Segar (Polo, MO) scored nine points off Jenni Croy’s bench.

Wentworth was led by Chardonnae Parker with 12 points.

“The Jenni Croy Show” (airing Thursday evening at 5:30 on KTTN FM 92.3):

The North Central men played what Coach Jeremy Esry considered to be their “best half of basketball” in a 79-53 road win at Wentworth.  The Pirates were able to break open a tight first-half with a late first-half run that gave the visitors from Trenton a nine-point halftime lead.  In the second half, the Pirates continued their outstanding play, running away from the Red Dragons for the decisive win.

Major Finley paced the Pirate attack with 17 points.  Jalen Gant added 15, Demetrius Houston 13, and Dee Scruggs 11 points.  For WMA, Quoya Shorter had 14 points.  The North Central men improve to 12-8 overall, and 2-2 in region play.

“The Jeremy Esry Show” (airing at 5:45 Thursday evening on KTTN FM 92.3):

On Saturday afternoon, NCMC will travel to “Signal Hill” in Kansas City, for a Region XVI doubleheader against the Penn Valley Scouts. Both the women’s game at 2 o’clock, and men’s game at 4, will be broadcast live on Hot Country Z 101.7, with streaming audio from KTTNSports.com and from KGOZ in the Tune-In Radio app.