Japonica James named Region 8 Player of the Week

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (November 7, 2017) – Tallahassee Community College sophomore forward Japonica James was named the NJCAA Region 8 Women’s Basketball Player of the Week on Tuesday. 

James, a native of Mobile, Ala., averaged 25.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 5.5 steals and 2.0 blocks in two games during the voting period which covered games played November 1-5. 

James led Tallahassee to a pair of wins at the Arkansas Baptist College Season Tip-off Classic. 

In the season opener against Arkansas Baptist, an 88-67 win for the Eagles, James recorded just the second triple-double in school history – 32 points, 13 rebounds and 10 steals. 

The next day, she posted a double-double – 18 points and 12 rebounds – in Tallahassee’s 59-48 win over Angelina (Texas) College. 

For the week, James shot 61.8 percent (21-of-34) from the floor and 66.7 percent (8-of-12) from the free throw line. 

In addition to the Player of the Week selections, the first regular season NJCAA Region 8 Coaches’ Polls were released and Tallahassee climbed into the No. 2 spot in both the men’s and women’s top ten. 

Tallahassee jumped two spots to No. 2 in the men’s coaches’ poll after posting a pair of wins at the First Midwest Bank Classic, hosted by Three Rivers (Mo.) College. 

The Eagles defeated Three Rivers, 80-65, in Friday’s season opener then picked up a second 15-point victory (73-58) over Mineral Area (Mo.) College on Saturday. 

In the women’s poll, Tallahassee moved up one spot to No. 2. In addition to posting a pair of opening weekend victories, the Eagles’ climb was aided by Florida SouthWestern State College’s upset win over then-No. 2 Chipola College.