NCMC men's basketball won the NJCAA Region 16 Tournament over the weekend with victories over Jefferson College in the semifinals and St. Louis CC in the championship game. The Pirates now hold a record of 22-8 and a Central Plains District Championship matchup at Arkansas State Mid-South on Friday, March 6th looming with a bid to the NJCAA DII National Tournament on the line.
Three Pirates earned All-Region Recognition. Well done Camden Bennett, James Porter III and Deng Gak.
Region 16 Tournament Semifinal: NCMC 90, Jefferson College 79
The Pirates put together one of their most efficient offensive performances of the season Friday night, rolling to a victory over host Jefferson College behind balanced scoring and dominant work on the glass.
NCMC shot 52.6 percent from the field (30-of-57) and knocked down 29 free throws, while controlling the boards 37-28 and dishing out 19 assists as a team.
Grant Redd led the Pirates with 21 points, connecting on 5-of-8 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc while going 8-of-10 at the free throw line. Camden Bennett added 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting and a 6-of-7 effort at the stripe, along with four rebounds and three assists.
Deng Gak delivered a dominant all-around performance with 18 points and a game-high 16 rebounds, including 14 on the defensive end, to go with five assists, two steals, and a block. Camden Brown contributed 12 points, four assists, and two steals, while James Porter III provided an efficient 10 points on a perfect 6-of-6 night from the free throw line and pulled down six rebounds.
The Pirates' depth also made an impact. Za'Corrie Kerr was a perfect 3-of-3 from the floor for six points, and Talan Holt added five points and four rebounds off the bench.
Defensively, NCMC limited Jefferson to 39.4 percent shooting on their home court. The Vikings shot just 20 percent (4-of-20) from three-point range plus the Pirates forced 11 turnovers and held JeffCo to nine total assists.
With the win, the Pirates showcased their offensive efficiency, rebounding edge, and balanced attack — a formula that continues to power NCMC down the stretch.
Region 16 Tournament Championship: NCMC 75, St. Louis CC 68
In the matchup for the Region 16 title, NCMC turned in an efficient performance on both ends of the floor, defeating St. Louis Community College 75-68 behind a balanced offensive attack and dominant work on the glass.
NCMC shot an impressive 52.4 percent (22-of-42) from the field and knocked down 28-of-36 free throws, capitalizing on trips to the line to create separation late. The Pirates also controlled the boards, outrebounding STLCC 39-29, including 33 defensive rebounds to limit second-chance opportunities.
Sophomore forward Deng Gak led the charge with a double-double, finishing with 18 points and 11 rebounds while adding five assists. Camden Bennett poured in a team-high 19 points and was flawless at the stripe, going 12-for-12 from the free throw line to anchor the Pirates' offensive efficiency.
Camden Brown contributed eight points and nine rebounds, while James Porter III added nine points, five rebounds, and three assists in a strong all-around effort. Grant Redd chipped in five points, and the Pirates' bench provided valuable depth.
Kalen Streit and Za'Corrie Kerr each scored six points off the bench, with Streit adding two rebounds and a block. Dillon Willis pulled down seven rebounds in limited minutes, helping NCMC maintain its advantage on the interior.
The Pirates' defensive presence and rebounding margin proved decisive, as NCMC closed out the contest at the free throw line to secure the seven-point victory to claim the hardware and move on to the Central Plains District Championship.