Ellsworth Fourth, DMACC Fifth at 2024 National Tournament

The Ellsworth Panthers came into the 2023-24 NJCAA National Basketball Championships as the #3 Seed after winning the ICCAC Tournament. The Panthers would take on #14 Monroe CC would end in a victory 76-58. Ellsworth would take a 30-25 lead at the half being led by Cameron Liggins who went 4-10 for 10 points and 4 rebounds and the Panthers as a team were cold going 12-37 from the field and 0-8 from beyond the arch. In the second half Ellsworth would find a rhythm scoring 46 points and Chimobi Ikegwuruka would go 6-8 from the field in the second half for 15 points, and would pull down 5 rebounds. Ellsworth would move on to the Quarterfinals to play #6 Milwaukee Area Tech.

In the Quarter Final, Ellsworth started hot from three, going 8-16 from deep and Cameron Liggins making 4 in the first half for 15 points. Ellsworth also was pulling down rebounds getting 27 in the first half alone. The Panthers would lead 52-35 before they worked the giant that was the Milwaukee Area Tech offense. In the second half the #6 seed would go off for 66 points in the second half, going 60% from the field and 55% from three. Lucky Ellsworth scored 49 on 48% shooting. The Panthers also saw Clinton Efinda go off for 16 points in the half. With time winding down Ellsworth would send Bessanty Saragba to the line down 101-100, he would make the first and miss the second and the teams would go to overtime tied at 101. Over time Ellsworth would take control, outscoring Milwaukee Area Tech 20-12 and move on to the Semifinals. The Panthers were led by Clinton Efinda who would go off for 25 points and 10 rebounds. Ellsworth would also have Chimobi Ikegwuruka who would have 21 points and 10 rebounds.

In the Semifinals Ellsworth would take on the #2 Seed in South Suburban, who would come into the game at 31-2 took control early scoring 51 points in the first half and leading Ellsworth 51-37 at the half. Ellsworth was led by Jaron Crews in the first half. The Panthers would score 38 in the second half but it wasn't enough to overcome the 14 point halftime deficit and they would lose going to play in the Third place game.

In the Third place game Ellsworth would take on the #1 seed in the tournament Davidson-Davie who was upset in the Semifinals but the Champion, #5 National Park College. Davidson-Davie would beat Ellsworth 88-75. The Panthers were down by just two going into the half but couldn't come back in the second. Despite the loss Ellworth's Clinton Efinda would end his season with 32 points and 7 rebounds. The Panthers would send Efinda to the All-Tournament team as well Ellsworth would end their season with a 29-8 record.

Ellsworth (4th Place, 2-2):

Round 1: #3 Ellsworth def. #14 Monroe, 98-74 - Box Score

Quarterfinals: #3 Ellsworth def. #6 Milwaukee Area Tech, 121-113 (OT)- Box Score

Semifinals: #2 South Suburban def. #3 Ellsworth, 89-75 - Box Score

Third Place Game: #1 Davidson-Davie def. #3 Ellsworth, 88-75 - Box Score 

The DMACC Bears had a tall task ahead of them coming into the NJCAA National Championships but they took a step in the right direction when they won their first game against Pima. The Bears would come out swinging scoring 60 points in the first half led by Angelo Winkle who would have 21 points in the half and would end the night with 36 points and 6 rebounds. DMACC would continue to play good basketball in the second half and would cruise into the quarterfinals with a 98-74 victory. The Bears were headed in the right direction as they would face off against #1 Davidson-Devie who would come out and score 45 points in the first half as DMACC would be down 45-34. Coming out the Bears needed a spark but the Storm was too big and DMACC would lose 89-61, the Bears would shoot just 42% from the field compared to the 54% from Davidson-Devie.

In the Fifth place semifinals DMACC would take on #7 Parkland who came in with a Similar record as DMACC. The Bears would show some defense in the first half outscoring Parkland 37-19 at the half. DMACC would hold the lead throughout the second half and win 81-66. The Bears were led by James Glenn who had 17 points and made three from deep. Also DMACC shot almost 50% in the 15 point victory and headed on to the Fifth place game.

In the Fifth place game DMACC would have to take on Milwaukee Area Tech who was the #6 seed in the tournament. The Bears came out of the gates quickly, scoring 50 in the first half and scoring 28 points in the 10 minutes of the game. Trey Lewis would find his groove in the first half cashing in two three's and scoring 12 points. Angelo Winkle would also have 10 points in the first half for DMACC. The Bears would lead 50-37 at the half and was looking to stay on the second. DMACC would start fast holding a 20 point lead with 9:55 remaining. But the Bears would get cold for the last 7 minutes of the game. Leading 82-62 with seven minutes to go in the game DMACC would get outscored 15-5 in the final seven minutes and would hold on to win by 10. DMACC would be led by Angleo Winkle who had 20 points, Trey Lewis would have 17 points. The Bears would have Angelo Winkle on the All-Tournament Team.

DMACC (5th Place, 3-1):

Round 1: #8 DMACC def. #9 Pima, 98-74 - Box Score

Quarterfinals: #1 Davidson-Davie def #8 DMACC, 89-61- Box Score

Fifth Place Semifinal: #8 DMACC def. #7 Parkland, 81-66 - Box Score

Fifth Place Game: #8 DMACC def. #6 Milwaukee Area Tech, 87-77 - Box Score

The Lakers were looking for a comeback this season after qualifying last year for the NJCAA Division II Tournament. Iowa Lakes would have to take on MIlwaukee Area Tech to move on to the quarterfinals. In the first half Iowa Lakes would jump out to a 21-8 lead within the first 10 minutes. From that point on Milwaukee Area Tech would go on a 30-16 run and take the lead with 1:35 remaining in the half. Iowa Lakes would get some late buckets and lead 41-40 at the half. Milwaukee Area Tech game out of the half swinging going to a 28-10 run that would give them a 17 point lead with 10 minutes remaining in the game. Iowa Lakes would end up not being able to keep the pace and would fall 90-73 being outscored 50-32 in the second half.

Iowa Lakes would move into a win or go home situation now with the first round loss, so with their backs against the wall Iowa Lakes would take down #14 Monroe 78-60. The Lakers were spreading the ball around five different players with 10 points more. Leading the way for scoring was Blake Kooiman, who put up 20 points and 10 rebounds in the win or go home situation. 

Iowa Lakes wasn't out of the water yet, they had to win one more game for a guarantee placing in the tournament. The Lakers would have to take on #4 Macomb. Iowa Lakes had a solid first half but would be down 44-34 at the break. Despite the 52 point second half the lakers would still lose by six points ending their season. Blake Kooiman was working to keep Iowa Lakes in it, nailing four threes on the road to 18 points. 

The Lakers ended their season with a 27-9 record and just one game shy of placing at the NJCAA Division II Men's Tournament.

Iowa Lakes (Loss in 7th Place Semifinals, 1-2)

Round 1: #6 Milwaukee Area Tech def. #11 Iowa Lakes, 90-73 - Box Score

Seventh Place Quarterfinals: #11 Iowa Lakes def. #14 Monroe, 78-60 - Box Score

Seventh Place Semifinals: #4 Macomb def. #11 Iowa Lakes, 92-86 - Box Score