Christmas sweaters

If you don a Christmas sweater for Wednesday’s Tyler Junior College basketball doubleheader, you will get free admission.

The TJC squads play Region XIV contests at Wagstaff Gymnasium with the No. 20-ranked Apache Ladies (9-1, 1-0) taking on Bossier Parish Community College (6-3, 0-1) at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Apaches (8-2, 0-2) meeting Blinn (9-1, 1-1) at 7:30 p.m.

Apache Ladies coach Trenia Tillis Hoard started the tradition of wearing ugly Christmas sweaters to a game each December to begin the holiday season and bringing a festive atmosphere to Wagstaff Gymnasium.

Now, it includes all Christmas sweaters.

APACHE LADIES

The Apache Ladies moved up from No. 24 in the NJCAA poll that was released on Tuesday. Northwest Florida is No. 1, followed by Trinity Valley. Angelina is No. 19.

TJC is coming off a conference-opening 82-50 victory against Paris Junior College on Saturday in Paris.

Former La Poynor star Te’Aire Hambrick, a freshman guard, and Felmas Koranga, a freshman froward from Rift Valley, Kenya, each hit for 18 points to pace the scoring for TJC.

Also in double figures were Trelynn Tyler (12 points) and Kennedy Burkes (10). Quatera Limbrick was next with nine points.

Koranga had eight rebounds and Tyler had seven assists.

Other results on Saturday included: Coastal Bend 80, Bossier Parish 73; Trinity Valley 90, Jacksonville 36; Angelina 76, Kilgore 55; and Panola 69, Blinn 54. 

Other Region XIV women’s games on Wednesday include: Paris (2-9, 0-1) at Panola (5-4, 1-0), 5:30 p.m.; Blinn (5-5, 0-1) at Kilgore (7-3, 0-1), 5:30 p.m.; and Trinity Valley (9-0, 1-0) at Angelina (10-0, 1-0), 6 p.m. 

After Wednesday’s game, the Apache Ladies are home on Saturday to face Jacksonville College at 2 p.m., while Bossier Parish visits Paris for a 2 p.m. contest.

APACHES

The Apaches have lost two straight games after opening the season with eight wins.

TJC dropped a 77-70 decision to Lee College in Baytown on Saturday.

Shahada Wells led the Apaches with 19 points. He was followed by Cameron Johnson and Malik Lawrence-Anderson with 12 points apiece. Roy Pantophlet added 10 points with Jonathan Bryant contributing eight.

Pantophlet had a double-double with 11 rebounds and Edra Luster added 10 boards.

Other results on Saturday included: Kilgore 57, Coastal Bend 48; Angelina 68, Paris 55; Trinity Valley 84, Jacksonville 82; Bossier Parish 96, Lamar State-Port Arthur 91; Panola 99, DFW Prep Sports 51; and Navarro 85, Blinn 78. 

Other Region XIV men’s games on Wednesday include: Trinity Valley (12-1) at Eastfield (11-1), 6 p.m.; Angelina (6-5, 1-1) at Navarro (10-1, 2-0), 7 p.m.; Lamar State-Port Arthur (7-4, 1-1) at Panola (9-3, 0-1), 7 p.m.; Coastal Bend (3-5, 0-2) at Paris (5-4, 0-2), 7 p.m.; and Lee (7-4, 1-1) at Bossier Parish (7-0, 1-0), 7:30 p.m.

Northwest Florida State is also No. 1 in the NJCAA men’s poll. Trinity Valley is No. 6.

After Wednesday’s game, the Apaches will not play again until Dec. 30 when they play host to Houston Community College at noon. Blinn meets Victoria College in Brenham at 4 p.m. Saturday.