Tiger basketball players earn All-Region honors
Coming off a record-setting season, the Cowley College men's basketball team had a pair of players, Dalen Ridgnal and Mike'l Henderson, garner All-Region honors. While, the Lady Tiger basketball team had sophomore Seanna Boltz named an Honorable Mention All-Region selection.
Ridgnal and Henderson helped lead the Tigers to its first region title in 64 years, as well as helped Cowley make it back-to-back conference titles. They ultimately led the Tigers all the way to the national title game where Cowley finished as the national runner-up and ended the year with a record of 24-5. The national runner-up finish matched the best finish in school history along with the 1952-53 team.
Ridgnal was named a First-Team All-Region selection for the second straight year. The sophomore led Cowley in scoring (21.1) and rebounds (12.8) per game as he finished his career as the ninth all-time leading scorer in the history of the program.
"I could probably count on my hands the number of people that have been a two-time All-Region selection in the last 20 years," Cowley head coach Tommy DeSalme said. "This is a heck of an honor for Dalen and well deserved."
Henderson, who averaged 16.4 points and 4.4 assists, was named an Honorable Mention selection. Henderson finishes his Tiger career as the 14th all-time leading scorer in Cowley history.
"With only 15 spots on the All-Region Team, it is really hard to get on the list," DeSalme said. "I am really proud of Mike'l. He stepped up huge in some big-time moments."
Boltz, who leaves Cowley as the school's all-time leader in three-pointers made, averaged 13.3 points and 1.2 steals per game. She ranks 15th on the Lady Tigers' all-time scoring list and helped Cowley to a record of 15-9.
"She had a great run here and was a really good shooter for us," Cowley head coach Todd Clark said. "When she is on, she can really make shots. I am happy for her to receive this recognition."
NJCAA Division I Men's All- Region:
FIRST TEAM
Matt Mayers, Hutchinson; Dalen Ridgnal, Cowley; Tylor Perry, Coffeyville; Tim Dalger, Independence; Walyn Napper, Dodge City.
SECOND TEAM
Jaheim Holden, Barton; Denver Jones, Garden City; Shawn Hopkins Josh Baker, Hutchinson; Blaise Keita, Coffeyville.
HONORABLE MENTION
Mike'l Henderson, Cowley; Justin Harmon, Barton; Erik Pratt, Seward; Majok Kuath, Hutchinson; Noah Thomasson, Butler.
NJCAA Division I Women's All-Region:
FIRST TEAM
Queen Ulabo, Barton; Tamara Nard, Butler; Sierra Morrow, Seward; Skyla Knight, Butler; Faith Simpson, Coffeyville.
SECOND TEAM
Vanessa Oduah, Barton; Le'Yanna McGinnis, Cloud; Maisa Marcal, Independence; Tor'e Alford, Hutchinson; Tiffany Dortland, Barton.
HONORABLE MENTION
Seanna Boltz, Cowley; Rapaluchi Ayodele Ngorka, Independence; Lauryn Vieira, Northwest Kansas Tech; Lojong Gore, Hutchinson; Paris Mullins, Butler.