PCCC Women’s Basketball Wins GSAC Championship

Congratulations to PCCC’s Women’s Basketball Team, the Garden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) 2026 champions. It’s the first time since 2020 the Lady Panthers won the title.

Capping a strong season, the Lady Panthers clinched the crown February 26 when they defeated Atlantic Cape Community College 83-67 in the regional semi-finals.

“I knew they could win a championship,” said Coach Jermaine Emanuel, head coach of the team for only the past six months.  “We went into the game very confident. The team fared well all season and we beat our opponent twice before. We were ready to win.”

With a coaching ethic based on team performance and hard work, as well as a philosophy that “defense wins games,” Coach E – as he is known at PCCC – brought out the best in the student-athletes. “I tell them play hard, play together, and be accountable,” said Coach E.  And they delivered.

“We were hungry for it, and it was my personal goal,” said point guard Janesy Ruiz, who was named GSAC Player of the Week last Fall and First Team, All-GSAC, All-Region this spring.  
“It felt like one of our best seasons. We had team chemistry, a great coach, and now this championship. I couldn’t ask for better.”

Other players honored this season are Kahmiyah Napier who made Second-Team, All-Region and Karla Romualdo, center, who was named one of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) 2026 Women Athletes of the Year. Karla was among the honorees recognized in February at the NJCAA National Girls & Women in Sports Luncheon and praised for her “exceptional performance and leadership.”

Though proud of the team’s accomplishments, Coach E  has his eye on the future, too. With four members of the team graduating this spring, he will be out there recruiting for new players.

Then next year, “I want to take the team to the next level. Win the regional championship and move on to the nationals. I really want the team to have that experience.”  

He has a vote of confidence from Athletics Director Tiago Dos Santos. “The Lady Panthers always had it in them skill wise, so it was no surprise to me to see what they achieved this year. They can play hands down with anyone in the Region and the only thing that was missing was the guidance and having someone be able to harness their abilities and energy and steer them in the right direction.

“Coach Jermaine was able to help the young women do this with only one week of practices under their belts before the season started; I am looking to see what this program can do under his leadership with a full off-season.”  

Written by Linda Telesco
Photos/Graphic Design: Page Saunders