Casper College to host Region IX Tournament

The Region IX Women’s Basketball Tournament will be held at Casper College March 5-7.

By finishing first in the North sub-Region, the No. 15 ranked Casper College Lady Thunderbirds (26-3) had a bye during first-round tournament action held at several locations in the region. In the South sub-Region, the No. 2 ranked Western Nebraska Community College Cougars (26-1) also had a bye. A total of 14 teams compete in Region IX.

Beginning Thursday, March 5, eight teams, including Casper College, will play for the Region IX Championship and a trip to the nationals to play in the NJCAA Division One Women’s Basketball Championship March 17-21 at the Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock, Texas.

Thursday will begin with the Cougars taking on the Sheridan Lady Generals (18-12) at 1 p.m. That game will be followed at 3 p.m. when the Northeastern Junior College Plainswomen (15-12) play against the Lady Pronghorns (27-4) of Gillette College.

Game three will begin at 5 p.m., and will feature the Otero Junior College Lady Rattlers (24-5) and the Eastern Wyoming College Lady Lancers (17-13). The Lady Thunderbirds will go against the McCook Community College Lady Indians (22-9) starting at 7 p.m.

On Friday, two games will be held featuring the four winners of Thursday’s games. The first game will begin at 5 p.m. and the second game will start at 7 p.m. The Region IX Championship game will be held Saturday at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $6 for a one-day pass for adults 18 and over, $4 for a one-day pass for seniors 60 and over, $4 for a one-day pass for students 6-17 with their current student ID, and free for those 5 and under. All current Casper College students can attend the game for free by presenting their current Casper College ID. Tickets will be available at the door. Keep track of the Birds throughout the tournament by downloading the tournament bracket at tbirds.cc, where fans can also livestream the games.