2024 NJCAA Region III Championship Recap for the Lady Cannoneers
The Jefferson Women's Basketball team fall in the Championship Game to OCC.
On Friday, March 1st, Jefferson Community College hosted the 2024 NJCAA Region III Women's Basketbal Regional Championship. In this 3 day event, teams from Onondaga, North Country, Mohawk Valley, Hudson Valley, Cayuga, Fulton Montgomery, Herkimer and of course the Lady Cannoneers came to compete for the crown of the 2024 NJCAA Region III Women's Basketball Regional Champion. Jefferson came into the quarterfinal matchup against Cayuga, whom they beat in the MSAC semifinals 69-52 the week before. The Lady Cannoneers fell behind early and trailed by 12 at the half. JCC cut into the lead by outscoring the Spartans by 4 in the third quarter. Jefferson put on the full court press in the fourth to take the lead before Cayuga tied the game up at the end of the 4th quarter to send it to overtime. In the extra period, Jefferson took the lead early and outscored the Spartans by 5 to avoid the upset 75-70.
LaKaiya Butcher scored 30 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, Kori Nichols Score 16 and grabbed 10 rebounds and had 6 steals.
In the Regional quarter finals, the Raiders took a 15-13 lead after he first quarter and then Jefferson responded by scoring 25 points in the second to take a 9-point lead into the half. Fulton fought back and took the lead in the third quarter before the Lady Cannoneers reclaimed the lead late in the third to go ahead 53-52. The Cannoneers came out on fire in the fourth to outscore the Raiders by 12 to secure a spot in the Regional Championship.
Abby Raven scored 23, LaKaiya Butcher 22 and Kori Nichols added 18 points to lead the Cannoneers.
In the Championship Game the Lady Cannoneers jumped out to a 17-10 lead after the first, the defense held their top scores in check for the first quarter. The Lazers responded by scoring 20 in the second to take a 30-29 lead at the half. The Cannoneers went cold in the third and were outscored by 14. Trailing 54-39 heading into the 4th the Cannoneers put ap a good fight before running out of gas.
Abby Raven led the Cannoneers with 24 points and 16 rebounds. Kori Nichols had 11 points and 12 rebounds. Abby Raven and LaKaiya Butcher were named to the All-Tournament Team.