The Western Nebraska Community College women's basketball team will be looking to stay on a winning streak when they host Eastern Wyoming College Thursday in the 19th-ranked Cougars final home contest of the season
The Cougars, who wrapped up the number one seed from the South Division when they defeated McCook Community College 63-59 on Tuesday, enter the contest with a 10-1 South Division record and 22-3 overall. The Eastern Wyoming women enter the contest with a 13-15 overall record and 6-5 overall. The Lancers are locked into the fourth seed.
Tip-off for the women's contest is slated for 5:30 p.m. with the Highway 26 battle between the men's teams to follow.
While there isn't a lot riding on the games as far as tournament seedings, it is a game that sports bragging rights. On top of that, it will be sophomore recognition for both the men's and women's basketball teams.
Four women's basketball players will be on the Cougar Palace court for the last time. They include Hannah Sparks, Kalli Feddersen, and Brooke Zimmerman who were part of last year's Region IX championship team. The fourth is sophomore Luize Skrastina, who transferred in from Cloud County Community College.
Sparks said while it is sophomore night and the last time the four will be playing at home, they want to finish off the season playing well.
"I think going out with a win is just as important as any other game, sophomore night or not," Sparks said. "However, I would love to be able to go out with one more win on my home floor.
For the Cougar women, they have won their last four games and have lost just once at home this season clear back in November to Casper College, who is ranked 14th in the country. The Lancers have won their last two contests.
While WNCC has already wrapped up the No. 1 seed, Sparks said they still have unfinished business.
"I think our team is proud to be first in the South but we still have business to take care of and so we just need to keep looking forward," she said.
Thursday's contest won't be easy. When the Cougars and Lancer women played in January in Torrington, WNCC came away with a 73-56 lead after leading just by 10 after three periods. WNCC pulled away in the fourth period, outscoring the Lancers 23-11.
Sparks, who has been a two-year starter for the Cougars, said Thursday will be bitter sweet.
"I think the feeling of playing our last home game is bitter sweet," the sophomore from Aurora, Colorado, said. "I am excited for my future but I have made so many memories, friends, and family here so it is a bit sad. I just feel so proud and lucky to be able to play my final game at the Cougar Palace."
Besides sophomore recognition, the Cougar women will also honor their dorm parents before the game. The sophomore women will be recognized at halftime of the men's contest.
The Cougar men will also recognize their four sophomores – Chase Mason, Mason Smith, Derrick Bowers, and Tyrell Williams. Williams, who transferred to WNCC in the fall, will be graduating in May.
The men's contest is also important in many aspects. The Cougar men still have an outside shot to move up in the standings, but more importantly, WNCC wants to get back on the winning side of things after falling in a disheartening contest on Friday to Lamar Community College 80-72.
The Cougars are 6-9 in South Division play and 16-11 overall. The Lancers are just 1-14 in South play and 7-21 overall, falling in their last six games. EWC last won on Jan. 26 when they defeated Colorado Christian junior varsity
It is the Lancers final regular season contest, while WNCC will have two more games including a Saturday afternoon contest at Cougar Palace against Northern Colorado All-stars at 1 p.m. before traveling to Casper College on Tuesday.