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For the second straight year the Highland CC Lady Scotties basketball program will play in the NJCAA national tournament and this year they look to build upon the fifth place showing from last year.

The Lady Scotties head into the tournament with a 30-2 record and are the number two seed and fourth ranked team in the country in the NJCAA DII polls. Highland takes the court for their first round matchup against Essex County (New Jersey) on Tuesday, March 18th at 6:00pm at Johnson County CC in Overland Park, Kansas the host site for the national tournament this year.

Scotties earned their spot at the national tournament for the second straight year by topping Johnson County in the Region VI Championship contest for the second straight year, winning 54-52 this season. Highland went through the season outscoring their opponents by 34 points per game, as they held opponents to 51.3 ppg and scored 85.3 ppg on the year. Scotties offense shot 45.7% from the floor and 31.8% from three-point land, while averaging 15.9 assists per game.

Balanced scoring has led the Scotties all year with six ladies averaging over seven points per game. Leading the way is Julia Alves in the post leading the team with 13.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg and 2.5 spg, while Ashley Torres is the only other Scottie to average double figures with 12.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.3 apg and 1.8 spg. Anna Degan has added 9.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg on the season in a starting role, while Holton native, Ryann Bowser has filled the stat sheet too with averages of 8.9 ppg, 3.6 apg, 4.3 rpg and 2.5 spg.

On top of those four gals Krystal Crohn, India Johnson and Celine Jolicoeur have added 8, 7.8 ang 7.4 points per game throughout the season for the Scotties.

But it wasn't just the offense that got things done for Highland as the team forced 28.9 turnovers per game for their opponents and had 15.1 steals per game.

Highland again has enjoyed one of the best years in school history with their only two losses coming by a combined five points and one in overtime. Scotties lost to Johnson County in Highland 65-61 in overtime after beating JCCC earlier in the season and also lost to Cowley by one-point 64-63.

Scotties and Coach BJ Smith look to use their experience from last year at the national tournament and this year's success to make another run on the national level as they gear up for action Tuesday night against Essex County (NJ) at 6:00pm in Overland Park, Kansas at Johnson County CC. Win or loss the Scotties will play another game in the tournament; with a win will play Wednesday at 8:00pm and with a loss will play on Thursday at 9:00am.