Citizen Staff Writer
KEN BRAZZLE
kbrazzle@tucsoncitizen.com
The Pima Community College women know beating a basketball team three times in a season won’t be easy, especially if that team is Glendale.
That’s the task the Aztecs face Thursday night to reach the National Junior College Athletic Association Tournament.
Pima defeated Glendale 94-91 and 88-83 in the regular season.
“We struggled both times against them,” said Pima coach Todd Holthaus. “We got caught trying to play their game. We have to do a good job of executing.”
Pima and Glendale will square off at the Aztecs’ gym at 7:30 p.m. in the NJCAA Region 1 finals. The winner advances to the national tournament March 18-21 in Peoria, Ill.
“We have to do a much better job of taking care of the ball and cutting down on our turnovers,” Holthaus said. “We’ve got to make sure that we execute offensively and not let their press disrupt with what we are trying to do. We have to play good defense and rebound.”
Glendale attempted 43 shots from behind the 3-point circle in the last meeting. Glendale is led by Janessa Adeleye, who averages 14 points a game.
“She’s their best all-around player,” Holthaus said. “She can shoot the three and attack the glass and get to the free-throw line.”
Pima has three players averaging in double figures in Tia Morrison, Abyee Maracigan (Flowing Wells) and NeNe Villalobos (Sunnyside).
Morrison tops the list, averaging 16 points and eight rebounds per game.
UP NEXT
Glendale (16-15) at Pima (25-5)
What: NJCAA Region I women’s basketball finals
When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday
Where: Pima CC West Campus, Anklam and Greasewood