Good luck to the undefeated Raiders

Hard work. Dedication. Sacrifice. Perseverance.

Those words and more can be used to describe the Three Rivers College Raiders. The unbeaten team will begin play Monday in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s national basketball tournament in Lubbock, Texas. The 10th ranked TRC team will be aiming for its first national title.

Poplar Bluff residents sent them off Friday with cheers and well wishes.

We’d like to add ours to those of our community.

This makes the fourth time the Three Rivers women’s basketball team has been to the national tournament.

This year, the team faced added difficulties because of the restrictions and precautions put in place because of COVID-19.

The “NBA schedule” has meant more games in a shorter period of time, allowing less physical and mental recovery time in between.

But whether it was repeated ice baths to ease sore muscles from long days on the road to get to games and tough practices, or battling injuries through an entire season to stay in the game, these women have overcome everything thrown at them so far.

Two years after earning the lowest seed in the NJCAA National Tournament, they will be the No. 9 seed Monday, facing No. 24 Eastern Oklahoma State.

The Raiders are one of only two undefeated teams in the national tournament.

We want to wish you good luck, but we know the hard work, dedication, sacrifice and perseverance are what you’ll take out on the court with you Monday.

— Daily American Republic