News

The NJCAA has selected South Arkansas Community College freshman forward Kylee Portilloz as Division II Basketball Player of the Week, the first national honor ever received by a SouthArk student-athlete.

Portilloz was selected for the week ending Feb. 21 after putting up 27 points and snagging 19 rebounds en route to the Stars’ 69-62 upset victory over National Park College in overtime on Saturday (Feb. 18).

Portilloz also was named Region 2 Player of the Week for the week ending Feb. 19.

Wins have been hard to come by this season for the Stars (2-17, 1-8 in Region 2 play), particularly after roster numbers fell all the way to six players in the second half of the season. The Stars even were forced to cancel or forfeit several games early last month when, due to illness and injury, they could not field a complete team. They finished one game this season with only three players on the floor after multiple players fouled out.

Despite the challenges, Portilloz, of Choudrant, Louisiana, has put together a dominant season, leading Region 2 in both scoring (19.2 points per game) and rebounding (11.9 rebounds per game). In Saturday’s win, Portilloz never left the court, which included the extra minutes of an overtime period. Her game-high point total came with nine of 11 free throws.

Portilloz now is in the top 15 in the nation among D-II schools in both points per game and rebounds per game.

The Stars will travel to SAU Tech on Saturday to play the Rockets, who are ranked 14^th nationally and are leading Region 2 with an undefeated record.

South Arkansas Community College freshman forward Kylee Portilloz was selected as the women’s basketball NJCAA Division II Region 2 Player of the Week for the week ending Nov. 13 after averaging 23 points and 13 rebounds over a three-game stretch.

Portilloz, of Choudrant, Louisiana, also set a school record for rebounds in a game against Holmes Community College (Goodman, Mississippi) on Saturday at home, snagging 18.

For the season, Portilloz is averaging 22.3 points and 9.3 rebounds.

The Stars (0-5) still are seeking their first victory of the season. They next play at 2 p.m. on Saturday at home vs. Shorter College.

Work on your game and have a chance to show your talent in front of college baseball coaches this fall!

A prospect showcase for the South Arkansas Community College Stars NJCAA baseball program, presented by Stars head coach Cannon Lester and assistants, is set for October 15 at Field 4 of the El Dorado-Union County Recreation Complex, 2409 Champagnolle Road in El Dorado. The event is open to uncommitted 2023-2026.

To register, complete the below form and make a payment of $75 through this online link:

https://bookstore.southark.edu/prospect-showcase-fee-credit

Additionally, print out and complete the linked Liability Waiver and present it on-site at the start of the showcase.

Itinerary:

10:30-11:00-Registration Pitchers/Catchers/2-Way Players
11:10-Meeting
11:15 - Stretch & Throw
11:30-12:30-Bullpens 12:30-Meeting with Pitchers Only
12:15-12:45-Registration Position Players
12:45-Meeting
12:50-Stretch & Throw
1:10-Outfield Defense & Throw-
RF-2 throws to 3rd, 3 to Home
1:30- Infield Defense & Throw
SS- 5 Total (2 at you, gloveside, backhand, slow roller)
All 1B only go take throws at 1st
2:00- Catcher Pop Times
2:10- 30 YD Timed 2X Hp-->1st
2:30-4:00 - Batting Practice
3 Rounds of 6 (Lester-6, Atec-6, Atec-6)
4:00-Meeting
4:20-Campus Tour (300 Southwest Avenue West Campus)
Remember your #, you will go in order all day
long. Yell your # before every Round

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The women’s basketball program at South Arkansas Community College recently learned that its 2021-2022 team was among the top 10 finishers for NJCAA Academic Team of the Year in its sport.

The Stars were seventh for the national honor, which is bestowed to the team with the highest mean grade-point average among all NJCAA teams across each sport, regardless of division of play. Their 3.65 grade-point average placed the Stars women second among all NJCAA Division II women’s basketball teams.

There are 135 NJCAA Division II women’s basketball programs and more than 400 total NJCAA women’s basketball programs across the country.

Additionally, four Star student-athletes received individual recognition as NJCAA All-Academic First Team. They were Darbee Forte of Monticello, Addison McNiel of Emerson, Lexi Pyle of Emerson and Christian Marshall of Hermitage. Each completed the academic year with 4.0 grade-point averages.

"I'm so proud of our girls on their academic achievement, both as a team and as individuals,” head coach Nate Evans said. “We take great pride within our program on being relentless in the classroom, and to see it be recognized on a national scale is incredible. These girls have raised the bar high for what it means to be a SouthArk student-athlete.”

Evans also applauded the work of SouthArk instructors and support staff in the academic effort.

“This achievement is also a testimony to the relentless efforts that our faculty and staff sows into our students here at SouthArk,” he said. “It's a great time to be a Star.”

Darbee Forte

Christian Marshall

Addison McNiel

Lexi Pyle