Madison, Moraine Valley compete on national stage
HICKORY, NO. CAR. - When national tournament time rolled around in 2026, Region 4 was represented by two schools in the NJCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championships as Madison College and Moraine Valley Community College took on the best in the country. The WolfPack was making its first-ever appearance at the Division II tournament and eighth appearance overall; however, it was their first since winning a Division III championship in 2010. The Cyclones last qualified in 2019 and were making their fifth all-time appearance.
Moraine Valley Community College entered the tournament as the #16 seed and squared off in a first round game with #17 Cleveland Community College. The Cyclones overcame an early 17-9 deficit and led by eight in the third quarter; however, the Yetis closed the game on a 25-8 run to win 55-46. Jadea Johnson led MVCC with 11 points. In the 5th Place Consolation bracket, Moraine Valley upset #9 Lincoln Land Community College with a big second half. The Cyclones trailed 42-27 at halftime before outscoring the Loggers 46-27 in the final 20 minutes to secure a 77-69 victory. Johnson poured in 28 points, while Laila Houseworth added 18 points. With a spot in the 5th Place game on the line, MVCC faltered against #5 Schoolcraft College, falling 77-60 to end their season with a 31-5 record. Johnson and Houseworth both finished with a dozen points in a closely played game where the Cyclones never led.
Madison College was awarded the #19 seed in the 20-team field and began play against #14 Mid Michigan College in the first round. Down 36-30 at halftime, the WolfPack dominated the third quarter and led by as much as seven in the fouth quarter; however, the Lakers rallied for a 72-68 win. Serinity Metcalfe dropped in 28 points, and was joined in double-digits by Jamera Green with 17 off the bench and Maddi DeSmet witih 15. In the 5th Place Consolation bracket, Madison College went up against #11 CCBC Essex. The teams went back-and-forth in the first half, which ended with the Knights leading 36-35. Essex exploded for 26 points in the third quarter to lead by as much as 14. The Pack narrowed the gap to six in the fourth quarter before falling 70-61 to end their season with a 24-6 record. DeSmet racked up 30 points, followed by Metcalfe with 16 and Keelyn Zwirschitz with 11.