By Benny Rogers, TVCC Sports Information
The Lady Cardinals had to beat Blinn twice during the regular season to win a 12th straight conference championship. They had to Blinn to win a sixth straight regional championship.
Now, to keep their hopes alive for a second straight national championship alive, they must again beat … you guessed it … Blinn.
The Lady Cardinals (33-1) are scheduled to take on Blinn (32-3) in quarterfinal action today at the 2013 NJCAA Women’s National Basketball Tournament at the Bicentennial Center in Salina, Kan. Game time is 1 p.m.
At stake is a spot in the Final Four. The winner moves on to face the Gulf Coast-Shelton State winner in the semifinals Friday at 6 p.m.
The Lady Cardinals are 9-0 in national semifinal games in their previous 17 trips to the tournament. They are 6-3 in national title games.
The Lady Cardinals were an 89-72 winner against Blinn in Brenham. They won 94-88 in overtime in the rematch at Cardinal Gym. In the regional title game, the Lady Cardinals scored a 69-58 win.
Today’s game will not only be the fourth TVCC-Blinn game this season. It will be the third one in 19 days.
The Lady Cardinals and Blinn had the day off Tuesday.
In Tuesday’s games, it was: Central Arizona 82, Crowder 57; Chipola 66, Southern Idaho 57; Hutchinson 77, ASA 55 and Northwest Florida 65, Walters State 60.
Quarterfinal action scheduled after the TVCC-Blinn game finds Gulf Coast vs. Shelton State, Central Arizona vs. Chipola and Hutchinson vs. Northwest Florida.
In case you’re wondering how hosting the tournament impacts Salina financially, Chamber of Commerce officials said Tuesday the event brings up to $650,000 annually to the local economy.
Salina is located in north-central Kansas. The population is 47,707.
Notable individuals who were born in and/or have lived in Salina include Kurt Budke, Marlin Fitzwater, Paul Harvey, Gene Mauch, Steven Hawley and Terence Newman.
The 1980 teen comedy film “Up The Academy” was filmed entirely in Salina.
All Lady Cardinal tournament games will be available for viewing online at www.njcaatv.ihigh.com. In fact, all tournament games will be webcast. Also, for audio only, you can hear the games at www.KSAL.com.
It’s 35 and cloudy in Salina this morning. The high is expected to reach 46 today. There is a 30 percent chance of morning showers. Friday, the high is predicted to be 51 with partly cloudy conditions. Saturday’s forecast is calling for snow with a high of 38.
Today would be a good day to send your positive thoughts and vibes in the directions of the Lady Cardinals.