Riding the back once again of star
Jayla Rankin, the Triton College women's basketball team won the Region 4 Division I championship with a 68-57 victory over Olive-Harvey College Saturday (March 7) at the Jorndt Athletic Complex gymnasium.
It was the first time that women's basketball clinched a regional crown on their home floor.
Exacting revenge for last season's 70-62 loss to Olive-Harvey in the Region 4 title game, Triton (24-9) is now is one win away from the NJCAA Division I National Tournament in Lake Charles, La. The Trojans will hot Williston State College, from North Dakota, the Region 13 champions at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 14, for that play-in shot.
After amassing a dominating first half, the Trojans had to stave off a Panthers' second-half charge fueled by La'Kyra Johnson, who had a game-high 29 points. Down by 21 points late in the second quarter, Olive-Harvey (24-10) had cut the lead to 55-54 on Johnson's breakaway layup with five minutes to go.
"We expected that (surge)," said Triton coach
Drew Winston who was named Region 4 Division I Coach of the Year.
Then Rankin went to work. She answered Johnson with a long three-pointer to make it 58-54. Three minutes later, the Panthers were in striking distance at 62-57 when Rankin missed two free throws. However, she rebounded her second miss and made the put back for a seven-point lead. Moments later, Rankin hit two free throws for the final score.
"I knew the clock was running down," said Rankin, who led Triton with 23 points and was named Region 4 Player of the Year. "I had to hustle. I just followed up my shot."
Rankin applied actions to her words to Winston at practice leading up to the game.
"I'm not going to let you down no matter what," was Winston's recall of Rankin's vow.
None of the players let down the coach. They are Triton's Iron Women. Winston dressed just six players due to injuries. All were productive out of necessity with Rankin,
Jazzmine Smith and
Alivia Brown each playing more than 39 minutes.
"I'm so proud of this team," said Winston. "They played hard and left it all out there."
Smith had 21 points, matching Rankin's three-point production with a trio. She also hit two important free throws down the stretch while leading the Trojans with seven assists. Brown had seven points, seven rebounds and three steals.
Charity Anderson had a game-high 11 rebounds. Trojans "big"
Kyra Paul totaled nine rebounds and nine points, including a clutch shot after Rankin's late three-pointer.
Jada Branch playing hurt gave the team valuable minutes and teamed up Rankin to keep the offense running.
Triton's strategy to toughen the team for the postseason has worked to perfection so far. Top opponents out of the region were scheduled early in the season so the Trojans would not build up a misleading top record against weaker foes. As a result, Triton began 3-8. But they learned in the process, and they have won their second Region 4 championship after playing in six consecutive title games.
At the same time, Winston has enjoyed Rankin at top form for a full season. Her 2024-25 campaign was hampered by injuries.
However, Rankin and her teammates had goals, not all of which have been fulfilled.
"We're not satisfied at all," she said. "We want to go as far as we can and win the district and make it to nationals."
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(Story by tritonathletics.com contributor George Castle) Â
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