By: Jason Shoot - NewsHerald.com

Chipola is the top overall seed in the men’s and women’s tournaments, both of which will be hosted the College of Central Florida. The Chipola men (22-5) play Central Florida (23-8) at 7 p.m. CST in the opening round Wednesday. The Lady Indians (28-1) square off with Palm Beach State (24-6) in the women’s first round on Thursday at 5 p.m.

The Chipola men overcame midseason turmoil and won their final three games of the regular season to split the conference championship with Pensacola. Sam Cassell Jr. averages 18 points a game this year, but he averaged 27.3 points during that crucial late-season push.

Central Florida is led by a pair of sophomore guards — Javonte Douglas and Rodell Wigginton — averaging 17 and 15.9 points, respectively.

Chipola are the top two seeds in the women’s tournament and are the No. 4 and No. 7 teams in the nation. The Lady Indians, led by freshman forward Evelyn Akhator, have won 17 consecutive games.

Chipola’s opponent, Palm Beach State, is powered in the post by sophomore Ashley Jones, who is averaging 16.2 points and 11.7 rebounds this year.