The Kirkwood Community College Eagles out of Cedar Rapids, IA defeated Parkland College out of Champaign to win this years NJCAA Division II National Basketball Championship at Danville Area Community College. The final score of Saturday (March 22nd) night’s title game was 55-54. Kirkwood was led by Germaine Benson, who scored 12 points; and tournament MVP Lucas Lueth, who scored 10. Parkland was led by JaMonte Williams, who scored 17.
ABOVE: Tip-off begins game, Kirkwood celebrates title, runner-up Parkland Cobras pose after game.
In Saturday’s other games, Pima Community College defeated Kalamazoo Valley for 3rd place 103-88; Macomb defeated Davidson-Davie for 5th place 84-81; and Florida State College at Jacksonville defeated Johnson County for 7th place 94-68.
As far as how this year’s tournament went overall, it was the second year of 20 teams in the tournament and six consecutive days of basketball. Director of the Tournament Host Committee Brian Hensgen says the overall show continues to improve.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: From adjusting the way we did our volunteers; with our scheduling we were able to really create, I think, what was going to be a better tournament this year; based on what we learned. But just to essentially be able to create a championship level production for all the teams coming in.
Speaking to Danville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau CEO Jeanie Cooke Friday night, it was all a positive review.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: It’s been a great tournament. It’s been very, very good games. It’s been great crowds. I don’t have any complaints right now. It’s been pretty spectacular.
For now, the NJCAA Tournament is guaranteed to come to Danville for at least the next three years.
