SAC Men, Women Bulldoze Competition to Win Championships

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SAC forward Caleb Richardson battles past opponents to attempt a layup during the final round of the Texas Collegiate Athletic Conference playoffs San Antonio College Armadillos vs Northwest Vista Wildcats Men's Basketball Game on March 23 at the William H. Bell Athletic Center. Photo by A. De Leon.

San Antonio College Men’s and Women’s basketball teams walked off the court as champions after winning in their respective Texas Collegiate Athletic Conference (TCAC) championship games at Trinity University’s William H. Bell Athletic Center Saturday.

The Lady Armadillos were the reigning champions coming into the playoffs, and they defended their title with a 64-58 victory over the Northeast Lakeview College Nighthawks. The SAC women defeated the University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals Friday night to advance to the title game. They finished the season at 8-1, losing just one game despite having only a six-player roster. 

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SAC Forward Lakayla Hines rushes down the court during the championship game of the Texas Collegiate Athletic Conference playoffs at the William H. Bell Athletic Center March 23. Photo by A. De Leon.

SAC Coach Lauren Rubio said she adapted her teams’ practice routines throughout the season to bolster the players’ endurance.

“It’s hard to retain players,” Rubio told SAC Student News. “Being part of a community college, it’s hard to get ladies to come to practice and work hard.”

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Forward Caleb Richardson attempts to block an opponent’s throw in the championship game. Richardson led scoring for the Armadillos in the game with 33 points. Photo by A. De Leon.

SAC Point Guard Casie Guy and Guard Lydia Macias were the Armadillos’ top scorers in the championship game. They each put up 17 points.

SAC’s men edged out the Northwest Vista Wildcats 76-73 Saturday to close out an otherwise dominant run through the playoffs. Their victory over the Wildcats in the championship marked the Armadillos’ sixth straight win. They won their last three regular season games before trouncing the University of the Word Incarnate Cardinals 115-75 in the first round of the playoffs and taking down the St. Philip’s College Tigers 109-86 in the semifinal Friday.
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SAC Guard Devyn Castillo stares a defender down during the championship game of the Texas Collegiate Athletic Conference playoffs at the William H. Bell Athletic Center March 23. Photo by A. De Leon.

SAC Forward Caleb Richardson led scoring for the Armadillos against St. Philip’s with 33 points, and SAC Guard Devon Gilmore put up 12 points on four 3-point shots.

SAC Guard Demetrice Mims told SAC Student News the Armadillos expected a fast-paced, intense game and were determined to play with intensity and strong defense against Northwest Vista for the championship.

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SAC Point Guard Christian Estebane attempts a layup during the final round of the Texas Collegiate Athletic Conference playoffs against the Northwest Vista College Wildcats March 23 at the William H. Bell Athletic Center. Photo by A. De Leon.

The Armadillos went into halftime down 30-35. The Wildcat’s defense forced multiple turnovers, which snowballed into a 10-point deficit for SAC halfway into the second quarter. The game turned in SAC’s favor after a Wildcat player got into foul trouble. 

The Armadillos bounced back in the second half and went ahead 63-62 in the last three minutes. Point Guard Cris Estebane forced a turnover in the last minute of the game, giving the Armadillos time to reestablish their defense. Mims landed two free-throws in the last 15 seconds that sealed the game and the championship for the Armadillos.

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Point Guard Casie Guy tries to drive past an opponent during the championship game of the Texas Collegiate Athletic Conference playoffs at the William H. Bell Athletic Center March 23. Photo by A. De Leon.

Mims led the team with 22 points and four 3-pointers. SAC Center Markus Salinas followed with 19 points and four steals.

“You have all worked very hard for this,” Coach Jimmy Alcala said. “This win is thanks to the man upstairs. Let’s enjoy it.”

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Picture of A. De Leon

A. De Leon

Agustin De Leon is the photo editor for SAC Student News and an officer for the Society of Physics Students. An accomplished photojournalist, commercial photographer and lover of science, De Leon plans to transfer to UTSA in 2025 to complete a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and Physics.
Picture of A. De Leon

A. De Leon

Agustin De Leon is the photo editor for SAC Student News and an officer for the Society of Physics Students. An accomplished photojournalist, commercial photographer and lover of science, De Leon plans to transfer to UTSA in 2025 to complete a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and Physics.