NJCAA Region 23 tournament brackets announced

The National Junior College Athletic Association has released the 2008 Region 23 Men's and Women's basketball tournament brackets. The Meridian Community College men and women have both claimed spots in the championship.

On the women's side, Itawamba claims the number one ranking having defeated the Lady Eagles Thursday night to secure the top seed as state champions. MCC is second, followed by Southern Shreveport (No. 3 seed), East Central (No. 4 seed), Southwest (No. 5 seed), Holmes (No. 6 seed), Copiah-Lincoln (No. 7 seed), and Pearl River (No. 8 seed).

In a rematch from last years Region title game, the MCC women will battle South Division foe Co-Lin in quarterfinal round action on Monday, March 3 at 8:00 p.m. The Lady Wolves hold a 7-1 advantage over the Lady Eagles in their last eight meetings, including the 2007 Region 23 championship game. However, MCC defeated Co-Lin in their most recent meeting on Feb 11, by a score of 83-77.

Itawamba holds onto the top seed in the men's bracket with Co-Lin and Northeast placing second and third respectively. MCC will enter the tournament as the No. seed and square off against Bossier Parish on Tuesday, March 4, at 12 p.m., in the Region 23 quarterfinal round. MCC and Bossier did not meet this season

All games will be played at the A.E. Wood Coliseum, in Clinton on the campus of Mississippi College.


2008 NJCAA Region 23 Women's Championship Pairings and Schedule
Quarterfinals - Monday, March 3rd
#3 Southern Shreveport vs. #6 Holmes 12:00 p.m.
#4 East Central vs. #5 Southwest 2:00 p.m.
#1 Itawamba vs. #8 Pearl River 6:00 p.m.
#2 Meridian vs. #7 Co-Lin 8:00 p.m.

Semifinals -Wednesday, March 5th
Winner 2v7 vs. Winner 3v6 – 12:00 p.m.
Winner 1v8 vs. Winner 4v5 - 2:00 p.m.

Finals - Thursday, March 6th
Winner Semi #1 vs. Winner Semi #2 - 6:00 p.m.


2008 NJCAA Region 23 Men's Championship Pairings and Schedule
Quarterfinals – Tuesday, March 4th
#4 Meridian vs. #5 Bossier (LA) 12:00 p.m.
#3 Northeast vs. #6 Pearl River 2:00 p.m.
#1 Itawamba vs. #8 MS Gulf Coast 6:00 p.m.
#2 Co-Lin vs. #7 MS Delta 8:00 p.m.

Semifinals – Wednesday, March 5th
Winner 2v7 vs. Winner 3v6 - 6:00 p.m.
Winner 1v8 vs. Winner 4v5 - 8:00 p.m.

Finals - Thursday, March 6th
Winner Semi #1 vs. Winner Semi #2 - 8:00 p.m.