Northwest Florida State College’s women’s basketball team has won the 2023 NJCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship after a gutsy 66-63 victory over Trinity Valley Community College on Monday night at the Rip Griffin Center.
- It is the team’s second national title in program history and marks their thirteenth national tournament appearance. The Raiders won their first national tournament championship title in 2021.
The Raiders were down by 10 points in the first quarter, but they mounted a furious comeback, thanks to their stifling defense and stellar execution on offense. Sophomore Sakima Walker led the team with 23 points, while Destiney McPhaul, Zayla Tinner, and Celia Riviere were close behind. The Raiders’ rebounds (42) and assists (14) also aided in their win over the Lady Cardinals.
Sakima Walker was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2023 NJCAA DI Women’s Basketball Championship after recording 80 points and 42 rebounds throughout the national tournament.
After the game, President Devin Stephenson congratulated the Lady Raiders and Coach Bart Walker, saying, “I couldn’t be prouder of the Lady Raiders and coach Bart Walker. It is an outstanding achievement and a testament to our commitment to excellence at Northwest Florida State College. The best truly is our standard.”
The victory has brought immense pride to the college, and it is a significant achievement for the Lady Raiders. The team has once again shown their prowess in the sport and demonstrated their commitment to excellence.
