NCMC Sweeps Metropolitan

Pirate Women Roll, Men Follow With Own Victory
Playing without their starting point guard, Damien Loyd, North Central needed its best effort Saturday as the Pirates opened Region 16 play by hosting Metropolitan Community College at the Ketcham Community Center.
North Central got that, especially from Atavian Butler and Jeramy Shaw, who combined for 50 points in a 94-88 win over the visiting Wolves.
Shaw finished with a game-high 29 points and six rebounds while Butler added 21 points and six rebounds. Together they thwarted any attempts Metropolitan could muster, allowing the Pirates to hold on for the victory.
“I thought Jeramy and Atavian stepped up big time for us and played like veteran sophomores, especially in the second half,” Pirates’ coach Jeremy Esry said. “When the game got tough, they came through in the clutch, not only on the offensive end, but we also asked them to guard (Metropolitan’s) two best players as well.”
Behind that duo, North Central got 14 points from Jackson Andrews. Kolten Griffin and Camron Donatlan each added eight points for the Pirates.
North Central led 44-36 at halftime, but couldn’t pull away from the visitors in the second half. North Central was able to stay ahead, however, fending off the Wolves’ best efforts to the finish.
With the win, North Central improved to 7-5 overall and established a 1-0 start to region play.
WOMEN
If the North Central women are going to have a challenge for the Region 16 championship this season, it’s safe to say that will come from St. Louis, not Metropolitan.
The Wolves never had a chance against NCMC on Saturday, looking lost for most of the contest as the Pirates rolled to a 101-49 victory.
North Central didn’t waste any time putting the game away, jumping out to a 27-6 lead in the first quarter and holding a 61-13 lead at halftime.
Nora Ford had 20 points and seven assists in the win while Lily Osborn scored 18 points. Angel Wiggins had 16 points, Maci Moore had 10 points and 17 rebounds and Kennadie Crowe added 10 points as well.
With the win the Pirates improved to 9-3 overall and 1-0 in Region 16 action.
UP NEXT
North Central’s women will host Southeastern Community College on Wednesday. Tip off in the Ketcham Community Center is set for 5:30 p.m.
The North Central men were at home against Division I State Fair Community College on Monday and will host St. Louis on Saturday as part of a women’s-men’s Region 16 doubleheader. Action at the Ketcham Community Center tips off with the women’s game at 2 p.m. and the men’s contest will follow.