NCMC splits Saturday doubleheader with Southeast CC, prepares for two-game week

The North Central Missouri College basketball teams hosted the Storm of Southeast Community College on Saturday afternoon, with the teams splitting a doubleheader at the Ketcham Community Center, broadcast on Hot Country Z 101.7.

The Lady Pirates, in the opener, continued to sizzle, with Kendey Eaton (27) and Sarah Lamp (21) combining for 48 points in a 96-59 win over Southeast, improving North Central’s record to 13-5.  Jami Nickerson rode a third quarter hot streak from the three-point line for a 14 point afternoon, while Trenton native, sophomore McKinley Hurley added 13.

However, the news was not all positive for the Lady Pirates.  A talented team hurting with depth suffered another knee injury, as sophomore guard Asia Young, jumping underneath the rim in the second quarter, crumpled to the ground in pain upon landing, holding her left knee.  Asia’s twin sister, Dasia, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her knee in a similar type play at KCK in December.  While the status of Asia Young’s injury is unknown, there were a couple of positive early reports from the floor that upon giving the knee a stability test, a doctor at the arena called the knee “stable”, considered a good sign that there may not be a tear, and instead just a hyperextension.  If Asia Young can not play for a period of time, only seven players would be able to suit up for the North Central women’s team.

The loss drops Southeast to 2-13, and Sabet Gatulak, Kay’la Brown, and DeAsia Walker all had 11 points.

The Lady Pirates return to Region XVI play on Wednesday night at 6 o’clock, facing a critical road test at Cottey College.  The game from the Hinkhouse Center in Nevada, MO will be broadcast on Hot Country Z 101.7, with pregame at 5:50.

The Pirate men, on Saturday, lost a slim halftime lead in being overtaken, then beaten by the Southeast Storm, 92-87.  Bobby Parker led the visitors out of Beatrice with 22 points, while Taylor Britt added 17, Daniel Quesenberry 16, Shou Nisbet 12, and Kade Marra 10 points.  The Southeast men improve to 9-9.  NCMC, in falling to 8-5, had 18 points from Demetrius Houston, 17 (including 10 in a row in the first half) from Ryan Ward, 15 from Major Finley, and 14 points from Jalen Gant.

The North Central men will host the Graceland University JV on Tuesday night at 7:30 at the Ketcham Community Center.  Both Pirate teams will host Penn Valley on Saturday (January 28th), with the women’s tip at 1 o’clock and the men at 3 o’clock.  Both games between the Pirates and the Scouts will be heard on Hot Country Z 101.7.