Kamiya Burwell was conference tournament MVP and led the Jaguars at nationals. (Photo by Bill Roa)

The dynasty continues for Georgia Perimeter College women’s basketball—winner of six conference championships in eight years. And last spring brought a new achievement.

In their sixth trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1 basketball tournament in Salina, Kansas, the Jaguars—for the first time–won a first-round game and advanced to the elite eight.

Cast as the tournament’s Cinderella team, the unranked Jaguars defeated 12th ranked Jefferson College (Mo.) 57-50, but lost their quarterfinal game to No. 4 Pensacola (Fla.) State College. In the consolation bracket, they made a memorable showing, coming back from a 23-point deficit and taking a two point lead over sixth-ranked Shelton State (Ala.) with 2:37 remaining in the game. Though they ultimately lost 66-60, they flirted with what many said would be a historic comeback, —led by Kamiya Burwell’s 15 second-half points.

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“We were good enough to advance from the first round,” said GPC head coach James Waldon said. “To win at nationals, things have to go your way. We were close.”

Georgia Perimeter finished the season with a 23-11 record and the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association and District J championships.

Burwell was named the GCAA Tournament most valuable player and Brittany Logan joined her on the all-tournament team. Logan also was selected to the All-GCAA first team.