SACRAMENTO, Calif.- The Cosumnes River women's basketball team continued their domination of their nonconference schedule this past week, when the Hawks took the championship of their own tournament, the CRC Invitational. CRC is currently riding a five-game winning streak into play this week when they begin a two-game road trip.
CRC concluded their championship run earlier today, blowing out Big 8 and crosstown rival American River College in the championship game, 85-47. Redshirt sophomore forward Janie Myles (pictured right) capped off an outstanding tournament with another dominant performance, recording her fifth straight double-double, as she paired 19 points with 22 rebounds in the victory. Sophomore combo guard Jade Sowell-Hundon and freshman post Jayla Henderson also scored in double-digits for the Hawks, with 17 points and 10 points, respectively. This contest against the Beavers was never in doubt, as the Hawks opened up a big lead in the first half, taking a 50-21 advantage into the half. The victory was the Hawks fifth straight by 20 points or more, as CRC has found their stride offensively early this season. As a team, the Hawks are shooting 44.7% from the field and nearly 30% from three-point range. The championship victory followed up two impressive victories to power the Hawks into the title game.
Cosumnes River tipped off against College of the Redwoods in the second round of a tournament for the second straight week, as the Hawks hosted the Corsairs in the championship bracket of the CRC Invitational. They had played the previous week at the Jocelyn Mancebo Classic at San Joaquin Delta College in the consolation bracket. As they did in their previous matchup, CRC proved to be too strong for Redwoods, soundly defeating them 83-55 to advance to the championship game. The Hawks opened up a big lead early against Redwoods, and led by double-digits the entire game, taking a 50-29 lead into the half. The Corsairs played CRC tighter in the second half, but it was too little too late, as the Hawks wrapped up their second victory over Redwoods this season. Myles put together one of her best performances of the year, scoring 27 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, while also recording a pair of assists, steals and blocks for the Hawks. Three other Hawks recorded double-digits in scoring for CRC, as sophomore Sowell-Hundon and freshmen Henderson and Sakara Brewer put together quality games. Sowell-Hundon scored 14 points on six of ten shooting from the field, while Brewer and Henderson scored 17 points and 13 points respectively. Henderson also contributed nine rebounds for the Hawks, as she is quickly emerging as a legitimate post threat as a freshman.
The Hawks opened the tournament this past Thursday with a 71-44 victory over Feather River College from Quincy. Myles once again led the way for CRC, scoring 18 points while recording 11 rebounds in the win. She also grabbed seven steals in the contest. Sophomore guards Sowell-Hundon and Miya Oaks were also active offensively for the Hawks, scoring 15 points and 14 points respectively. Sowell-Hundon, the team's leading scorer from last season, has scored in double-digits every game this season.
CRC, now 5-1 on the season, opens up a two-game road trip next week when they travel to take on the College of the Siskiyous in Weed. That game is scheduled for Wednesday at 5 PM. The team will then be idle until the following week, when they travel to Lemoore to take on West Hills. CRC doesn't return home until January, when they host American River College in Big 8 conference action.