Knights Pass Auditions, Looking Ahead to the Big Dance

By Rebecca Plantholt

Rosedale, Md.— The Knights returned to the court in Garrett County on Saturday to face the third seed host school with the region championship and a bid to nationals on the line. The Knights continued their perfect season, defeating the Garrett Lakers 99-59, advancing them to a spot in the national tournament.

The game got off to a slow start, with the Knights held scoreless for over the first five minutes. The first quarter was back and forth but the Knights had a one point lead, 18-17, heading into the second quarter curtesy of a Kelly Foster buzzer beater three-pointer.

The Knights train was full steam ahead in the second quarter, starting the quarter with a 9-0 run. Lyric Swann scored 15 points in the second, all from the deep ball. The Knights only allowed the Lakers to score 10 points total in the quarter, so the Knights closed out the half leading 47-27.

The third quarter was back and forth. Patricia Anumgba scored ten of her 19 points on the day, and the Knights were ahead 69-46 to close out the quarter.

To start the fourth quarter, the Knights continued their dominant defense, holding the Lakers scoreless for the first four minutes of the half. The Knights put up 30 points in the fourth, the most in any quarter by either team, and 14 of those were from players off the bench. When the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read 99-59 and the Knights were the newest Region 20 Champions.

Head Coach Mike Seney said after the game, "This was step one for us: leaving no doubt in the region. It wasn't easy, we played back to back games where adversity hit, but we responded. We are excited for this championship, however our job isn't finished!"

During the awards ceremony, Swann was named to All-Tournament team after a huge championship game performance. She was able to put up 27 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and did not commit a turnover. Anumgba also received postseason honors, being named the tournament's most valuable player. Over the two games the Knights played, she averaged 20 points per game and totaled 16 rebounds, 12 assists, and 17 steals.

Both players echoed their coach's sentiments. Anumgba said, "Our job is not finished. Being undefeated is cool but now we are back to 0-0. Records don't matter."

Swann said, "We're super excited to go to nationals. We're out to prove people wrong and show them that we're the number one in the country. We're here to handle business and win the national championship."

Just a few days after the region championship, the national tournament selection show placed CCBC Essex as the third seed. Anumgba responded to the Knights' seeding that she wasn't surprised. "Countless of times this season we have had to prove to people how great our team is and that is what we are going to continue to do moving forward. Making everyone feel the ball that CCBC Essex is playing, and for those that have been supporting us, continue to put on a show along with enjoying every moment every step of the way."

This has already been a record setting season for the Knights. They scored over 100 points in 11 straight games, and 13 out of 14 games to end regular season. Entering the national tournament, the Knights lead the country in scoring an average of 102.8 points per game. Anumgba and Swann are first and third in the country in points scored. Not only are the Knights continuing to build on their perfect season (32-0), but they are growing the national record that they set earlier this season of consecutive games won (51). The Knights could also break the national record of points scored by a team in a season (3,536) if they total more than 245 points in the tournament. 

When the bracket was fully released, the Knights learned that their first round matchup would be on Tuesday, March 15^th at 11am against the Oakland Community College Raiders. "This is a once and a lifetime experience," said Swann, "and to be able to share it with my amazing teammates is something special."