Cochise College hosted Eastern Arizona JC in front of a packed house on Monday evening for another opportunity to win another Region-I title. Cochise has been the class of the ACCAC Division all season long, so it is only fitting to see Cochise win their 2nd consecutive ACCAC Division-I title.
Eastern Arizona (23-9, 15-7) had surprised former league leader Arizona Western in the semi-finals with a big performance, but they would run into a defensive juggernaught against Cochise. The first half was a back-and-forth battle that had 5 ties and 6 lead changes, ending with Cochise leading 48-42 at halftime.
Within the first 5 minutes of the game's second half, Cochise had built a 20-point lead. The Gila Monsters were never able to really get themselves back into the ball game. Cochise would win the contest, 98-76.
Cochise gifted sophomore point guard Arell Henning would explode for a game-high 34 points in the win - making 7 three-point shots in the game. Henning would get selected as the ACCAC's Division-I Final Game Most Valuable Player.
Freshman forward Dallas Polk-Hilliard would contribute 16 points in the win, and Jawan Stepney and Justin Jones each added 12.
"This was a great all-around effort once again by our team," said Cochise head coach Jerry Carrillo. "We are going to enjoy this tonight and get ready for Salt Lake.”
Cochise will now travel to Salt Lake Junior College and play this Saturday in the District game for the 2nd straight year, with a chance to go to Hutchinson, Kansas for the NJCAA National Tournament.
