Men’s and women’s Magic basketball teams finish “historical” seasons, head toward national tournament
Spencer Gleason
– Sports Editor –
In the first STLCC-Meramec basketball game since the announcement of the basketball programs being cut at Meramec next season, the Lady Magic took their talents to Kansas City, where they battled the Penn Valley Scouts in the semi-finals of the Regions XVI Tournament.
Meanwhile, about 98 miles northeast from Kansas City, in the town of Trenton, Mo., the men’s basketball team began their Regions XVI Tournament, as they took the court against the rival STLCC-Florissant Valley Fury.
Both teams came away with a victory.
The following day, in the championship game of their respective tournaments, each team did what they had done the day before—win. The instant the buzzer sounded to end their games, two more historic moments had just been tallied up for the Meramec Magic 2010-2011 basketball teams. There were two more Regions XVI Championships to bring home.
“The game is just so emotional for these kids,” women’s head coach Shelly Ethridge said after defeating the Scouts 78-68. “I’d probably go as far to say that there probably isn’t another team in this region that works as hard as these kids. So I hope that it pays off for them.”
In the final season as the Meramec basketball team, both the men’s and women’s squads have made their mark in Magic history. Now both teams look toward their ultimate goal of the national tournament.
The women’s team will play in Peoria, Ill., starting on March 16, while the men’s team will play in Danville, Ill beginning March 15 for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Tournament
Both teams look to prove they still have some Magic left in the tank.
“I think the student-athletes and the coaches deserve a great amount of credit for staying focused on the task at hand,” manager of physical education and athletics Bob Bottger said.
“It’s no secret that there are many changes that there are in the future in intercollegiate athletics. I really commend them for doing a great job.”
