Tiffany Depfer drained a heart-stopping top-of-the-key jumper with 40 seconds left in overtime to lift Southwestern College to a 72-70 win over Imperial Valley and a shot at playoffs. Depfer's Michael Jordan moment was another highlight in a resurgent second half of the season for the Lady Jags. Now 15-9, they face conference leaders Grossmont and Palomar, all that stands between them and the playoffs.
"We started off the season with pretty lofty goals," said assistant coach Christian Brodt. "We knew we wanted to make it to playoffs at the end of February."
Brodt and two returning players, Depfer and Tagisia Togisala, share the same goal--a post-season berth.
"We're going to have to play hard," said co-captain Depfer. "But I have faith that we will make it."
Faith, however, will only get a team so far. SWC counts on Teanna Williams, the team's very own "Hype Man," to take them the rest of the way. Williams is a one-woman pep rally and provides leadership when it is most needed.
"If we're down, I gotta pick 'em up," said Williams. "I know we can win these next two games. We gotta beat [Grossmont and Palomar], we can't lose to them twice."
Despite the fact that the team had 10 new players, the two returning players took it upon themselves to lead.
"I'm a natural leader," said Depfer. "We hit a few bumps, but what team doesn't? We can really call each other family."
Togisala has a different approach to leading the team.
"I lead by setting an example," said Togisala. "Tiffany is the louder one."
They both agree the team needs to stay focused. SWC has unusually good chemistry, Togisala said, and the two leadership styles fuse to become a power that their teammates can look up to.
"I want to make it to playoffs and win," said Williams. "I want to win so they [Depfer and Togisala] can get that ring. I want them to feel that feeling."
Players also look up to their head coach, the motivational Darnell Cherry.
"On the court he is a good coach," said Williams. "Off the court he is a father figure."
Cherry knows that a team that gets along off the court will be victorious on the court. He treats the players like family, but knows when to coach and when to be their friend.
"There are three important factors," said Cherry. "Work hard, have fun and play as a team."
The Lady Jaguars run with the motto "Defense wins championships and offense sells tickets."
Although Togisala has led the league in points averaged per game through the first 17 games, she credits her defense for her success.
"My game comes off of defense," said Togisala. "If you can defend well, the offense can come in later."
Even as late as 40 seconds to go.
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