Women's basketball team makes national tournament debut Wednesday

The Eastern Florida State College women's basketball team will play in the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament for the first time Wednesday afternoon in Lubbock, Texas. 

The Titans are making their first appearance in the national tournament as the No. 18 seed and will play No. 15 Moberly Area Community College at 3 p.m. EDT at Rip Griffin Center, one of Lubbock Christian University.

"It feels really good to be here for the first time, just being able to be on the court is special. This is like redemption for us because the state tournament did not go the way we wanted it to so everybody has been putting in the work and sweat to get a win tomorrow," sophomore Tatiana Beaumont said. "It is special to be in this position, especially for the returning players. Last year we got knocked out in the first round at states and our season was over. For us to get this second chance, we are not taking it for granted and hopefully we can come away with a win."

Eastern Florida State College comes into the tournament 26-4 on the season and is an at-large team in the tournament. The Titans are led by a trio of all-state players that are all averaging over 10 points per game.

Freshman Rapuluchi Ngorka, the Mid-Florida Conference Player of the Year, comes into the tournament averaging 13 points and 13 rebounds per game. The 13 rebounds per game is fourth-best in the country and the Madrid, Spain native has recorded 17 double-doubles this season including four in a row.

Guards Shadaria Smith and Kaitlyn Sanders were also named to the all-state team and are averaging 12 and 11 points per game respectively.

"We have to play the way we know how to play, stick to the fundamentals and just play our game," Beaumont said. "If it starts to go the other way, just focus on who we are as a team and things will fall into place if we can do that. We have to pass the ball around, shoot like we know how to shoot and finish in the paint the way we know we can. If we can do that, we will be fine."

Moberly Area Community College comes into the contest 26-5 overall and were also an at-large team out of Region 16. The Greyhounds are averaging 81.6 points per game which is eighth-best in the nation and are allowing just 53.9 points.

Indya Green comes into the tournament averaging 19 points per game as five players are averaging at least 10 points per game for the Greyhounds.

"Moberly is a very talented versatile team that plays tough on both ends," Eastern Florida State College women's basketball coach MJ Baker said. "For us to be successful tomorrow, we are going to have to dominate on both ends by being discipline, tough, smart and playing together."

Fans can watch the national tournament games live on the NJCAA Network for $10 per day or $30 for the tournament by visiting the NJCAA Digital Content website.