Heard leads Morton to first-ever Region 4 title

Morton College claimed its first-ever Region 4 title by defeating Bryant & Stratton College to win the 2021 NJCAA Region 4 Division II Women's Basketball Tournament. The top-seeded Panthers rolled past the third-seeded Bobcats by a 92-67 final to secure a berth in the national tournament.

Morton College began postseason play with a 64-47 semifinal victory over fourth-seeded South Suburban College to advance to the title game in the five-team tournament. Sophomore guard Tadriana Heard nearly pulled off a triple-double in the championship game, finishing with 21 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists to earn Region 4 Tournament MVP honors. Teammates Rebeka Tovar and Kaiya Braggs each had 17 points and joined Heard on the Region 4 All-Tournament Team. First-year coach Jason Nichols was named Region 4 Coach of the Year.

2021 Region 4 Division II (Midwest District) All-Tournament Team
Tadriana Heard - Morton College
Kaiya Braggs - Morton College
Rebecka Tovar - Morton College
Maxine Paulowski - Bryant & Stratton College
Mikkalla Robertson - Bryant & Stratton College
Emoni Rankins - Bryant & Stratton College

Region 4 Tournament MVP
Tadriana Heard - Morton College

Region 4 Coach of the Year
Jason Nichols - Morton College

Morton College was awarded the #8 seed for the 2021 NJCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championships in Hickory, North Carolina. The Panthers, however, did not participate as a result of Covid-19 protocols. (Official Statement) They were replaced by Illinois Central College, who finished fourth in the nation.

Heard ended the year averaging 19.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 6.0 assists, while also shooting nearly 42% from long range. She was voted the Region 4 Player of the Year, and was the region's lone All-American nominee.

2021 NJCAA Region 4 Women's Basketball All-Region Teams

(Images courtesy of Morton College Athletics)