From STAFF REPORTS

AMERICUS – The seventh-ranked South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Jets upset the number-two seeded South Georgia State College Hawks 70–62 on Feb. 25 in the final regular season game for the two teams. The win allowed the Jets to move to 15–15 on the regular season and 6–10 in Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) play.
“I am so proud of the Jets with their effort last night,” said Jets head coach Travis Garrett after the win. “We had three days of good practice and it paid off. It is always good to end the regular season on a good note as we prepare for tournament play.”
Despite the exciting upset win over the higher seeded team, it did not change the final regular season conference standings for the Jets or for the Tigers. These same two teams will face off in the opening round of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XVII tournament which begins March 2. The Jets will travel to Waycross to face South Georgia State College on their home court in the opening round game.
The winner of this game will take the court in the semi-final round on March 4. The finals will be held on March 7. The location of the contest will be determined by the highest remaining seed.
In SGTC’s Feb. 25 contest, Demario Beck and Rico Simmons were the leading scorers with 16 points each. Simmons shot four of four from the foul line in the final minutes of the game to keep the Jets ahead and out of reach of the Tigers.
Beck had a double double game with 14 rebounds to accompany his 16 points. Simmons also had three rebounds and two assists.
Corbyn Jackson was the only other Jet in double figures with 14 points. Jackson also pulled in eight rebounds.
One major difference between this match and others that the Jets have played may have been the defensive play of SGTC’s Pat Welch. Welch scored only six points, but was able to hold South Georgia State’s leading scorer, Tyrone Sam, to only seven points. Sam is averaging 25.1 points per game this season.
Keyshawn Baker and Jalen Mitchell both scored five points for the Jets. Matt McMorris added four points while Shaq Athie and Clarence Smith closed out the scoring with two points apiece.
Three members of the South Georgia State team were in double-figures. Zaquavain Smith had 15 points. Dunavon Robinson added 11 points and DeAudray Rhett posted 10.
“This was a big win, but now we will play at South Georgia State on Wednesday in the Region XVII tournament and that is the game that determines whether or not we advance, said Garrett. “We have proven that we can play with anybody. We just have to play the entire game. We are looking forward to another chance next week.”