Women's Basketball: Knights Are Dancing After First Regional Title in Four Decades

Columbia, Md. -- In the fall of 2018, CCBC Essex Athletic Director Greg Witkop began moving forward with the process to bring back women's basketball to the Essex Campus. Fast forward just over a year later and the Knights sit atop of Region XX Division II as champions and a spot in the NJCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship in Port Huron, Mich.

"We are extremely proud of this team and coaching staff for its accomplishments this season," Witkop said. "To do what they've done with a first-year program, after a 15-year hiatus, is remarkable." 

The Knights defeated Chesapeake College 86-81 yesterday in the regional championship, hosted by Howard Community College, to take home the title for the first time since 1978. It was also their 19th consecutive victory.

Essex heads into the national tournament 30-2 overall in this their first season in 15 years. 

"Winning our region has been at the top of our goals list since we took over last spring," head coach Mike Seney said. "We knew it wouldn't be easy. This was a tough weekend of games at the regional tournament. I'm glad we had enough to win it."

Sophomore Mya Moye played all 40 minutes and led the Knights with a double-double on a game-high 29 points (8-20), 11 assists and was voted tournament MVP. She averaged 22.1 points per game, nine assists and shot 35% (21-60) during the three-day tournament. 

Sophomore guard Kasey Gagan also played the entire 40 minutes and finished with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting. She also had seven rebounds, three assists and three steals, and was selected to the All-Region XX Division II Tournament Team.

Freshman Trinity Horton finished with 18 points (6-14). The Chesapeake High School (Baltimore County) graduate also pulled down seven rebounds, had three assists and two steals. 

The Knights - ranked 12th in the nation - never trailed by more than five and had a lead as large as 16 in the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Chesapeake battled the entire game and had chances down the stretch, but couldn't overtake Essex.

In the tournament's opening round, the Knights cruised to an 88-42 win over Potomac State. In that match, five Knights finished in double-digit points, including four starters. 

Sophomore Aislinn Flynn collected a double-double against the Catamounts on 16 points and 14 rebounds. The Towson University transfer also finished with five blocks.

On Saturday afternoon, Essex defeated a scrappy Montgomery team 76-63. Four of the Knights five starters again scored in double figures, as Moye led her team with 21 points.

Flynn finished with her 11th double-double of the season. While she managed just six points, she ended with 12 blocks and 11 rebounds, 10 of which were defensive.

CCBC Essex will now travel to Port Huron, Michigan for the NJCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship, hosted by St. Clair County Community College. 

Seney and his team will find out tomorrow their seeding in the national tournament. Follow @NJCAABasketball on Twitter to view the Selection Show at 1 p.m.

"Michigan and the NJCAA Tournament has been the place we have been waiting to go to," Seney said. "We are excited to have the opportunity to make some noise nationally."