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By Su Ann Bird

 

AMERICUS – South Georgia Tech Sophomore 6’ 7” forward Jalen Reynolds of Darien, GA was the top rebounder in the nation in the March 1, 2021 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I rankings this week.  Reynolds led the nation with 158 rebounds over 13 games.  The second leading rebounder has 152 rebounds in 11 games.

In addition to having the player with the most rebounds nationally in Division I, SGTC also has the #5 ranked women’s team in the nation.  The Lady Jets were ranked second in the NJCAA Division I women’s basketball national standings, but dropped three spots after losing to Jones College last week.  Jones College moved into the number two spot.

Chipola College with a 9 – 1 record took over the top spot in the nation for the women.  They were previously ranked fourth.  Jones moved to the #2 spot, followed by Northwest Florida State College, which dropped from first to third.  Trinity Valley Community College was ranked fourth followed by SGTC in fifth place.

For the first time this season, the Georgia Highlands Lady Chargers broke into the national ranking at 24^th.  They will face South Georgia Tech’s Lady Jets in a Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) showdown for first place on Tuesday, March 2 at 5:30 p.m. in the Hangar in Americus.  SGTC is currently 12 – 1 overall and 6 – 0 in the conference and Georgia Highlands is 11 – 1 overall and 6 – 0 in the conference.

In addition to the number five ranking nationally, the Lady Jets also had five individual members to be singled out in the individual rankings.  Sophomore center Femme Sikuzani, who stands at 6’ 5” from Goma, DRC, earned national recognition in three different categories.  Sikuzani is currently ranked 13^th in total rebounds.  She has a total of 113 rebounds this season.    She has 55 offensive rebounds and 58 defensive rebounds.

She is averaging 4.2 offensive rebounds per game, which earned her a 28^th in the nation ranking.  Sikuzani was also ranked 42^nd nationally for blocks per game.  She is averaging 1.7.  Her teammate, sophomore Hope Butera, 6’ 3” forward from Kigali, Rwanda, is currently 32^nd in the nation in total rebounds with 90 this season.

Sophomore guard Imani McNeal from Locus Grove is 48^th in the nation in total points scored this season with 161.  Sophomore guard Veronica Charles, 5’ 4” from Benue State, Nigeria, is currently 13^th in the nation in steals averaging 3.8 per game.   Their teammate sophomore guard Moe Shida is 46^th in assists per game with an average of 4.3 per outing.

Three members of the SGTC Jets earned national recognition this week as they moved to 8 – 5 overall and 6 – 1 in the conference.  Sophomore forward Jalen Reynolds, 6’ 7”, is currently the best rebounder in the nation with 158 total rebounds this season.  His teammate Marvin McGhee is tied for the 35^th with a total of 95 rebounds this season.  McGhee is also tied for 47^th in the most points this season with 189 total points.

In addition to his top ranking overall in rebounding, Reynolds was also ranked ninth in defensive rebounds per game with an average of 7.8 and sixth in offensive rebounds with an average of 4.3 per outing.  He is also listed as fifth in rebounds per game with an average of 12.2 and 43^rd in blocks averaging 1.8.

The third member of the Jets to shine nationally was freshman guard Will Johnston. He is currently 44^th in the nation in free throw percentage shooting.  He is hitting 86.3% of his foul shots.

The Jets received an honorable mention again this week despite their five losses.  Four of those losses came to nationally ranked opponents.  Last week the Jets split with Georgia Highlands College.  The Chargers were ranked 16^th before the loss to the Jets but are now 25^th.  Another GCAA opponent, South Georgia State College is currently ranked 21^th nationally with a 12 – 1 record.

The Lady Jets will host Georgia Highlands on Tuesday, March 2^, at 5:30 p.m. in the Hangar before traveling to Rome for rematches on March 5 and 6 at 5:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

The Jets travel to Southern Crescent on Tuesday, March 2 and Waycross on March 4 to play South Georgia State College.  Both games are at 7 p.m.  The Jets will host South Georgia State College on Saturday, March 6 p.m. at 3 p.m.