While Temple College is preparing for the spring semester, Leopards athletics had two of its teams start North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference action this past week and two that getting ready to open their seasons in two weeks.

Here is the recap in this week's Leopards action:

Men's basketball tested twice, passes with two wins

Winners of six of their last seven games, the Temple College men's basketball teams began NTJCAC play on Wednesday at Ranger College.

Temple's late ten-point lead was slashed late by the Rangers, but the defense locked in seized the 89-83 win for their first conference victory.

The Leopards shot 47.7% from the field, which included 40% from beyond the arc, and 67.9% from the free-throw line.

Storm Gilchrist led the Leopards with 21 points. Josh Telfort and Logan Myers added 14, and Jason Ward contributed 13.

CJ Evans led all scorers with 25 points in the loss for Ranger.

The Leopards completed the week on Saturday against Collin County Community College at Kirby Johnson Court.

For the second straight game, Temple's late lead was challenged, and the defense held the Cougars late with a pair of forced turnovers to secure an 81-76 victory.

Telfort led the Leopards with 23 points. Gilchrist added 14, Camren Roper and Rasuan Collier each chipped in 11, and Jaymes Brown-Peterson poured in ten.

Up next for men's basketball

Sitting at 13-5 overall and 2-0 in NTJCAC play, the Leopards play two games this week. On Wednesday at 7 pm, Temple will play the Grayson College Vikings (10-7 overall, 1-0 NTJCAC) at Kirby Johnson Court. On Saturday, the Leopards travel to Hillsboro to take on Hill College at 4 pm.

Women's basketball splits games in conference action

The Temple College Leopards began their conference schedule by taking in a five-game winning streak into Ranger College on Wednesday.

Jaylice Rosario's 34-point, 12-rebound night played a huge part in Temple's 80-65 win over the Rangers.

The Leopards shot 45.8% from the field and 76.5% from the free-throw line.

Mikie White added 11 points, and Reagan Pavesi and Biva Byrd contributed nine points each.

On Saturday, the Leopards wrapped up their week against Collin County Community College at Kirby Johnson Court.

The Cougars grabbed a first-quarter lead that they held for remainder of the game, as the Leopards dropped their first game of the conference campaign, 89-73.

White had 24 points, Rosario added 19, and Imani McCray contributed 12.

Next up for women's basketball

Temple College ended the week with an 11-5 record and 1-1 NTJCAC mark. The Leopards will host the Grayson College Vikings on Wednesday at 5 pm at Kirby Johnson Court. On Saturday, the Leopards will head up to Hillsboro for a 2 pm matchup at Hill College.

Rosario named NTJCAC Women's Basketball Player of Week

Jaylice Rosario was named North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Player of Week for the week ending Jan. 6.

Rosario, a freshman guard from Maloney High School in New Haven, CT, was 13-of-24 from the field against Western Texas College and No. 25 Blinn College. She scored 30 points, hauled in 18 rebounds, six steals, two assists, and a blocked shot.

She followed those games with a combined 53 points this week.

Baseball and softball continuing workouts despite weather

The Leopards baseball and softball programs continued their preseason workouts despite the crazy January weather.

Temple College Baseball's season starts in Brenham with a double header against Blinn College on Jan. 25.

Temple College Softball's season starts in Kilgore on Jan. 29 with a double header against Kilgore College.