February 28, 2005

For More Information, contact: Keith Gentry (901) 333-4114 / Kimberly Stark (901) 333-4023

SOUTHWEST BASKETBALL TEAMS SWEEP VOL STATE IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE, SALUQIS AND LADY SALUQIS BOTH WIN WEST DIVISION TITLE
Written by Keith Gentry

The Southwest basketball teams concluded the regular season on Saturday afternoon at the Verties Sails Gymnasium, sweeping Volunteer State Community College. The Saluqi men, already assured of first place in the West Division of the Tennessee Junior and Community College Athletic Association, defeated Vol State 129-100, while the Lady Saluqis defeated Vol 84-76 to clinch the division championship for the first time since the 1998-99 season.

In the women’s game, freshman Imesia Jackson (Crawford, MS) scored 29 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead Southwest to the victory. Jackson made 10 of 12 shots from the field, including her first nine in a row. Other top performers for the Lady Saluqis were sophomore Ashley Mason (Trezevant High School), who recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and sophomore Lakeisha Jackson (Booker T. Washington High School), who added 11 points. Also playing in their last home game for Southwest were sophomores Shayna Troupe (Kirby High School), who scored nine points, and Kristin Henderson (Fayette-Ware High School), who scored two points and dished out three assists. The win improved the Lady Saluqis’ record to 17-8 overall and 10-6 in the TJCCAA..

The Southwest men, currently ranked 17th in the latest NJCAA Poll, shot a sizzling 63 percent from the field, including a school-record 20 three-point field goals made. The Saluqis jumped to a 69-41 halftime lead on the strength of 66 percent shooting overall and 57 percent from behind the arc. Five players scored in double figures for Southwest, led by freshman Lester Hudson (Central High School) with a career-high 27 points, and sophomore Rasuul Buluu (Booker T. Washington High School), who scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Other Saluqis with at least ten points were freshman Moraye Ivy (Central High School) with 17, freshman Mario Lucchesi (Elliston Baptist Academy) with 15, and sophomore Jerry Dover (Germantown High School) with 10. Other sophomores playing in their last home game were Aaron Nichols (Cleveland, OH), who had a game-high nine assists, Dee Burchett, who had a season-high seven assists, Nick Covington (Little Rock, AR), who had three assists, and Chris Prince (Clinton, MD), who scored seven points. The win improved the Saluqis’ record to 20-5 overall and 14-2 in the TJCCAA.

Both teams will receive a first round bye in next week’s TJCCAA/Region VII Tournament, held March 8-13 at Roane State Community College in Harriman, Tennessee. Pairings and times for the tournament will be announced this week.