Yotes Heading to NJCAA National Tournament

Following historic wins in regional and district play, the Coastal Alabama Community College North women’s basketball team from Monroeville has punched its ticket to the National Junior College Athletics Association national tournament in Joplin, MO. The Coyotes found out during the NJCAA Selection Show on Tuesday, March 12 that they will play against Pima Community College (AZ) on Monday, March 18 at 9:00 a.m.  

Coyotes Head Coach Mandee Armstrong said her players have truly gelled since coming back from the holidays, addressing areas where they needed improvement and working together to end the season No. 1 in their division during the regular season. On March 2, the Yotes defeated Snead State 67-57 to win its first Alabama Community College Conference Region 22 championship, only to best the Region 8 champions Palm Beach State on March 9 to take the Gulf South District championship. 

“Our Monroeville Women’s Basketball team played with a lot of heart on Saturday,” Dr. Aaron Milner, president of Coastal Alabama Community College said.  “You could tell the team had chemistry, and they worked hard for this opportunity.  We are proud to send them to Joplin to represent the Coyotes.” 

Coastal Alabama won that contest 70-66 behind a pair of 22-point efforts by freshmen Taylah Murph and Tiffani Goodman. It was the first time Coastal North claimed either of the titles, which led to its first berth in the NJCAA tournament. 


“They are a great group of young women who play with passion and are a great representative of Coastal Alabama Community College and our Athletic Department,” Daniel Head, Athletic Director said.  “This is a historic accomplishment for Coach Armstrong and the program, and we hope to go and make Monroeville and all of Southwest Alabama proud!”

Armstrong, who is also the chief of police in Monroeville where her team is located, has previously been to the tournament, as a player for the Troy University Trojans. 

“We’re so thankful to everyone for their support, and especially the College itself and the administration, which has given us everything we need in addition to following and supporting us,” Armstrong said. 

The Monroeville community has long supported the College and, especially, its basketball teams and she said whether its individuals or church groups, there are constantly volunteers cooking for the team and offering support in a variety of ways. Armstrong wouldn’t be surprised to see a few sitting in the stands in Joplin next week, alongside a bevy of proud parents. 

“We’ve had a good following most of the year,” she said. “Wherever we go, they go.” 

The NJCAA tournament can be tracked at www.njcaa.com.