Ngnawo, Hardwell, and Coach Opat participate in NJCAA Coaches Hall of Fame 3-on-3 tournament in Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. --- It was a weekend experience to remember for three members of the Cochise Women's Basketball team. Outgoing sophomores, Fortuna Ngnawo and Ali Hardwell were selected to participate in the inaugural NJCAA Women's Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame 3-on-3 Tournament in Knoxville, Tennessee. Apaches Head Coach Misty Opat was also selected to coach during the event. The first-ever 3-on-3 tournament took place April 25th-27th which also included a tour of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, a Meet and Greet with Hall of Fame Inductees, and attendance at the National Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. 

During the tour of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, Ngnawo was able to view her own Cochise Basketball jersey hanging in the rafters along with all of the NJCAA and NCAA All-Americans nationwide. Ngnawo's jersey will be proudly displayed at the Hall of Fame museum for the entire year. During the 3-on-3 tournament, Ngnawo's team won the championship and the star sophomore forward added to her collection of hardware, being named a 3-on-3 All-American. 

After the weekend in Knoxville, Coach Opat stated on social media how she "could not be more proud" of how well two of her athletes represented Cochise College, their families, and their basketball program. Coach Opat was one of only eight NJCAA coaches across the country who was selected to coach a team in the inaugural event.

Ngnawo and Hardwell will graduate from Cochise College in May, while Ngnawo will transfer to Troy University, Hardwell is still undecided about where she will be playing basketball in the Fall. Both sophomores added to their basketball resumes by participating in this Hall of Fame event, an experience that will last a lifetime. 

(Fortuna Ngnawo proudly points to her Cochise jersey hanging in the rafter of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Museum in Knoxville, Tenn -- courtesy of Coach Misty Opat)

(Cochise Women's Basketball Head Coach Misty Opat seated with all NJCAA coaches selected to participate in 3-on-3 tournament -- courtesy of Coach Misty Opat)