Top-seed Plainsmen take Region IX title from MCC

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Northeastern Junior College’s men advanced to the National Junior College Athletic Association National Tournament Saturday night with an 89-71 win over McCook Community College in the finals of the Region IX Division 1 men’s basketball tournament.

“This is a tough one and I don’t have a lot words,” said MCC Coach Jacob Brandl. “I’m really proud of our group and our fight,” he said.

NJC was the top seed in the south and came out solid, shooting 57.5 percent from the field in the first half on the way to a 45-35 intermission lead, including a seven-for-13 showing from the 3-point line (53.8 percent). MCC shot 38.7 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes and was seven of 17 from the 3-point line (41.2 percent).

“It was one of those games that just wasn’t our night and you have to credit to NJC. They played a heck of game and made the plays when they needed to whenever we started making a run,” Brandl said.

The Plainsmen maintained a 44-36 edge over MCC in the second half.

MCC shot 39.3 percent for the game and after a sizzling performance from the 3-point line in Friday’s win over Western Wyoming (60.9 percent on 23 shots) the Tribe cooled off to 12 of 30 shots for the game (40 percent) on Saturday. The Plainsmen dominated the boards with a 48-26 edge including 17 on the offensive end. NJC also out-scored MCC at the free-throw line 23-11.

Sophomore Rahkiem Petterson (Midland, Texas) led MCC with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore Damien Perry (Wareham, Mass.) scored 16 points and Sophomore Boaz Quinlan (Beavertown, Oregon) scored 10.

MCC, ends the season at 15-10. Saturday’s final was the first appearance in the region finals by MCC since 1997.

“Our goal this year was to create a culture that the school and the community of McCook could be proud of,” Brandl said. “I believe we have laid the foundation and am excited for the future.”

NJC emerged as the champion having topped the Region IX south division standings at 9-2. The Plainsmen earned a first-round bye, downed Casper 84-68 on Thursday and downed Eastern Wyoming Friday in overtime, 97-94, to advance to the NJCAA National tournament April 19-24 at the Hutchinson Sports Arena in in Hutchinson, Kan.

“I thank our sophomores for believing in a first year head coach and buying into the program and each other. We have nothing to hang our heads about, I am proud of our group as this year was a season of firsts,” Brandl said.

Other sophomore included Cortland Blake (Fort Worth, Texas), Rashe' France (Memphis, Tenn.); Marcus Tobin (Ewa Beach, Hawaii); Cory Kaplan (Merrit Island, Fla.); Kerem Karabacak (Istanbul, Turkey).