The Anoka-Ramsey Women’s Basketball team went from being the #4 seed in the Southern Division, to NJCAA Region XIIIB Champions with victories over Northern Division #1 Northland and Southern Division #2 Minnesota West.

Anoka-Ramsey played stifling defense on two potent offenses to claim the championship, holding Northland to 47 points and Minnesota West to 58.

In the semifinal matchup with the Pioneers, the Golden Rams held a one point lead at halftime, but pulled away in the fourth quarter thanks to forcing seven Northland turnovers in the period and holding the Pioneers to just 3 of 10 shooting.  Meanwhile, Anoka-Ramsey made 8 of 12 field goals in the final period to win 62-47.

Anoka-Ramsey shot 43.9 percent overall compared to 30 percent for Northland and forced 21 turnovers to offset a 44-29 rebounding edge from the Pioneers.

CeCe Bell scored 20 points on 7 of 11 shooting while adding seven rebounds and six steals.

Kimori Morris added 14 points making 5 of 10 shots.

In the championship, Anoka-Ramsey and Minnesota West got off to hot starts with a 24-21 lead for the Lady Jays after the first period.  From there the defenses picked up and easy baskets were hard to come by.  In their semifinal matchup with Rainy River, Minnesota West connected on 11 threes, but managed just two makes from behind the arc against the Golden Rams.

While the Lady Jays shot 42.6 percent overall to just 32 percent for Anoka-Ramsey, the Golden Rams held a 19-9 edge in offensive rebounds and forced 16 turnovers – helping them attempt 21 more shots than Minnesota West.

Bell once again led the way with 20 points and ten rebounds, making 4 of 11 threes.

Destiny Casey came up big off the bench with 12 points and three steals.

Mikayla Kanenwisher scored 11 points on 5 of 8 shooting, and Janea Arnoldi pulled in 12 rebounds.

For her tournament efforts Bell was named the tournament Most Valuable Player, and head coach Samantha Doucette was named the North Plains District B Coach of the Year.

Anoka-Ramsey now advances to the NJCAA Division III National Tournament March 15-18 in Rochester, MN.  Game times and matchups are still to be determined.