Key wins over Pima College and rival Arizona Western last week helped the Cochise College Apaches extend their win streak to 11 straight games and take over sole possession of first place in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference.
 Cochise College's Matt Korcheck slams home one of his two second half dunks in the Apaches 108-93 win over Pima. Cochise came back three nights later to beat Arizona Western 79-78 winning its 11th straight game and taking over sole possession of first place in the ACCAC. Bruce Whetten/Douglas Dispatch |
Against Arizona Western the Apaches led early on. The Matadors got going however and took a 46-32 lead with 18 seconds remaining in the first half.
A three pointer by Mark Simmons at the buzzer cut Arizona Western’s lead to nine at the half.
Nathan Sobey opened up the second half with a tip-in and the Apaches were off an running.
Matt Korcheck’s pair pulled the Apaches within two and seconds later Simmons layup tied the game at 50.
Western regrouped and went on a 8-1 run taking a 58-51 lead.
Down 62-56 at the midway point of the second half Cochise continued to battle. Michael Maya’s layup with 8:10 remaining gave Cochise a 63-62 lead.
Sobey then followed with a pair and Nnamdi Ezenwa’s dunk brought the crowd to its feet as the Apaches increased their lead to 67-62.
Sobey’s basket seconds later upped that lead to seven.
Cochise led 78-71 with 1:43 remaining when Western made one last run pulling within one at 79-78 and 45 seconds remaining.
The Apaches turned the ball over twice and Western missed several shots that could have won the game as Cochise came away with a thrilling one point win.
Sobey led Cochise in scoring Saturday with 23 points. Simmons followed with 16, Korcheck had 14 and Ezenwa and Michael Maya each had 11 for the Apaches who travel to Mesa Community College on Wednesday.
Last March, the Apaches defeated Arizona Western ini Yuma to capture their third NJCAA Region I championship in the last 11 years.
Against Pima Cochise led 52-43 at the break and upped that lead to 17 in the second half as Ajak Magot’s shot with two minutes to go gave Cochise a 101-84 lead.
Korcheck led Cochise in scoring this game with 22 points, Sobey followed with 16 and Ezenwa had 11.
Cochise is at Mesa tonight before hosting Scottsdale on Saturday.
Lady Apaches win one, lose one
The Cochise women fell to Arizona Western Saturday 67-38 in Cochise Stronghold.
JJ Alli led Cochise in scoring with 16 points. Mia Williams followed with 10.
Cochise had 32 turnovers this game.
Last Wednesday the Lady Apaches knocked off Pima 72-62. Alli led Cochise in scoring with 17 points this game. Ashley Mitchell and Johnishia Welles each had 14.
With the split the Lady Apaches record moves to 10-6 overall, 5-2 in ACCAC play.
Comments