TVCC Lady Cardinals win National Championship

TVCC's Shannon Smith (5), shown here in action against Weatherford earlier in the tournament, was named the 2013 NJCAA National Championship Tournament MVP. (BENNY ROGERS/TVCC PHOTO)
TVCC’s Shannon Smith (5), shown here in action against Weatherford earlier in the tournament, was named the 2013 NJCAA National Championship Tournament MVP. (BENNY ROGERS/TVCC PHOTO)

(Updated Sunday 8:09 a.m. with quotes from Coach Lovato and edits for clarity … Updated 10:56 with All-Tournament Team … Updated 10:10 with MVP announced …. Updated 9:49 with scoring stats)

By mvhannigan

The Trinity Valley Lady Cardinals were on a mission all season summed up in the hashtag: #chasing7.

Well … they finally caught it.

The Lady Cards earned the school’s seventh national title — and second in a row — by beating the Central Arizona Vaqueras, 83-71, in Salina, Kansas Saturday night.

TVCC was in front for most of the game and opened up double-digit leads on multiple occasions, but Central Arizona just kept coming back.

“They weren’t going to go down without a fight,” said TVCC Head Coach Elena Lovato.

The win showed the depth of TVCC as the Lady Cardinals’ bench outscored Central Arizona 29-7. The Lady Cards also outshot the Vaqueras behind the three-point line, 24-3.

“We used our depth to wear them out,” Lovato said. “I thought Dominique Brooks came on and saved the day.”

In the second half, when TVCC post Adult Bulgak went to the bench after picking up her fourth foul, the Vaqueras started pounding the ball inside and beating the Lady Cardinals on the offensive boards.

“I needed a ‘big’ to step up and help stop their run,” Lovato said. “Domo got her shot and proved to be a huge factor.”

“We needed all 10 of the girls to keep the pressure on them,” she said. “They didn’t have the depth at the guard position to handle it. I really feel like our depth was what did it for us.”

While the title is the second straight for the program, this year’s team is completely different than last year’s. Not a single player or coach remains from the 2012 squad.

Head Coach Elena Lovato was hired after co-head coaches Michael and Kenya Landers left for the University of Mississippi after last year’s championship win. Lovato had to totally rebuild both her staff and team from scratch.

“I knew I had a bunch of great pieces to a puzzle, but the for everything to flow so smoothly and for the pieces to fit just right is what baffles me,” she said. “That’s why I know this is God’s plan.”

“This is a special group of young ladies who became a family and adore the community,” Lovato said. “I’m sure this group considers Athens a home away from home just like I did after my first time here.”

The Lady Cardinals finish the season 36-1 with their only loss an early season forfeit. TVCC has not lost a game on the court in more than two years.

TVCC’s Shannon Smith was named the tournament Most Valuable Player. Shlonte’ Allen and Krystle Henderson were named to the All-Tournament Team for the Lady Cardinals.

The Lady Cardinals were led by Allen’s 22 points, while Smith and Henderson both added 14. Bulgak had 10, Savannah Carter 9, Victorial Wells 7, Roddricka Patton 3, and Kyhonta Doughty and Brooks both added 2.

Patton had 5 steals for the game, while Wells had 7 rebounds. Bulgak added 6 rebounds and Carter had 5 boards.

Central Arizona finished the year with a 32-2 record.

Joymesia Howard led Central with 24 points.

TVCC’s lead was 46-33 at the half.