March 19, 2018 (Bronx, NY) - What a game. What a tournament. What a season!
The Hostos Community College women’s basketball team capped off its historic run with its first National Championship, after beating top-seeded Rock Valley, 58-52, on Saturday night in the final of the
2017-18 NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship in Rockford, Ill.
“It is a great feeling to win a national title and I am so proud of my players for trusting the process,” Head Coach DeVernie Winston said. “They responded to every challenge with class, courage and a constant will to win. This historic accomplishment is not only great for Hostos, but for CUNY and the community at large.”
MVP of the tournament and CUNY Athletic Conference and Region XV Player of the Year, Kayla Wilson led the charge for the Caimans over the defending champions on their home court after scoring 22 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. She ended the 2017-18 season with 20 straight double-doubles. In the three-day tournament, the freshman averaged 27.3 points and 17.0 rebounds.
“Going to the national tournament was a tremendous experience,” Wilson said. “It was tough, but we banded together as a team, like we did all season long. I am thankful for the individual accolades, but none of it would be possible without my teammates and coaches.”
The victory ended a tremendous season for the Caimans, who finished 28-2 after winning 23 straight—their two losses came against D-I and D-II schools. They did not lose a game after November 18.
The championship game was a thriller, as Rock Valley jumped out to an early advantage at the end of the first quarter with a 21-13 lead. In the second frame, Hostos bounced back and outscored the Golden Eagles 18-8 to go into intermission with a 31-29 edge. Both squads continued to trade blows with Rock Valley out-dueling the Caimans in the third quarter to carry a 44-43 lead into the final period. At the end, the Caimans regained their composure, played great defense and outscored Rock Valley 15-8 on the Golden Eagles' home floor for their first NJCAA title.
The Caimans also repeated as Region XV champs and won the CUNYAC title earlier this season. The fact this happened during the College's 50th Anniversary, made the victory extra-special.
For the postgame interview with Kayla Wilson, click
here.
For the postgame interview with Coach Winston, click
here.
Hostos Award Winners:
Kayla Wilson: MVP and Player of the Year awards for both CUNY and NJCAA Tournament
Coach DeVernie Winston: CUNY Coach of the Year award
Skydajah Patterson: All-Region Team
About Hostos Community College
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change that has been transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities for nearly half a century. Since 1968, Hostos has been a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, as well as a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs.
Hostos offers 27 associate degree programs and two certificate programs that facilitate easy transfer to The City University of New York’s (CUNY) four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. The College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos is part of CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 500,000 students at 24 colleges.