After the Bruins won the biggest upset game of the season, picking off the No. 3 team in the nation and undefeated North Idaho, SLCC has been impatiently waiting to find out who they would face in the District Championship. They found out last night as Cochise College took down Eastern Arizona to land them in the District One Tournament. The Apaches will hit the road to take on the Bruins Saturday March 5th at 7:00 p.m. inside of Bruin Arena.
The Apaches spread their points between six crucial players. Arell Hennings (#1) is a sophomore guard who is leading the team averaging 15.9 points per game and 6.3 assists. Dallas Polk-Hilliard (#11) is shooting 60.2 percent from the field while averaging 13.9 points per game and 6.7 rebounds. Jawan Stepney (#5) is averages 12 points per game and 4.1 rebounds. Justin Jones (#10) is playing 18.3 minutes for the Apaches. He is averaging 11.9 points. Chaz Mack (#40) is a freshman forward is strong inside the paint averaging 11.7 point and 6.3 rebounds. Emanual Shepherd (#12) is putting up an average of 10.8 points per game.
As a team Cochise is shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 38.5 from behind the arc. They have an overall 26-6 record and are 16-6 in conference play.
In comparison, SLCC’s Tyler Rawson stands a good two inches taller than any player on their team. Rawson is averaging 15.7 points per game and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 54.4 percent. Conner Toolson is peaking at the right time averaging 14.2 points per game. Gibson Johnson is strong in the paint shooting 56.7 percent from the field averaging 11.9 points and 5.8 rebounds. Marcus White is averaging 11.9 points per game. Bushmen Ebet sits 26 in the NJCAA in steals.
“We need to control the tempo of the game,” said Head Coach Todd Phillips. “They are going to want to press us and run fast. But we need to play at our pace, slow it down, and play our game.”
The winner of this game will receive an automatic bid to the National Tournament which will be held in Hutchinson, Kansas March 14-19.
