Lamar (19-14) and Trinidad State (16-16) will meet for the National Junior College Athletic Association Region IX men’s basketball championship as the two Colorado-based schools posted semifinal wins on Friday in Sterling, Colo.
Tournament Bracket / Tournament Program / Tournament Livestream
In advancing to its fifth Region IX finale and seeking its second title, Lamar scored an 87-79 overtime win over Laramie County of Cheyenne in the first semifinal. The Antelopes placed second in the region in 1967, 1968, and 1969 before winning it all in 2009.
Gavin Dabney, who scored 22 points in the game, scored a layup with 4:22 left in overtime to give Lamar the lead for good at 75-74 as the Antelopes outscored LCCC 9-2 in the closing 67 seconds of the contest. Jaylon Brown led Lamar with 25 points, including seven in the extra period.
Trinidad State, the regional champions the past four seasons, rallied from a four-point deficit in the closing two minutes to score a 73-72 win over Northwest of Powell, Wyo. Mike Folda’s Trojans have now won 17-straight Region IX playoff games.
Trailing 71-67 with less than 75 seconds remaining in the game, Kenny Black-Knox made two free throws to cut the deficit to 71-69. After Northwest made only one of two free throws with 54 seconds left, Demorae Pritchett scored the final four points for Trinidad State on two free throws and a layup after a steal with 8.7 seconds left in the game.
To start the Sterling schedule, Lamar eliminated Casper 84-70, and Trinidad State ousted host Northeastern 78-74 on the Plainsmen’s (20-10) home floor. Overall, Trinidad has won six regional crowns, including the first one in 1962 (in Sterling) and the second in 1986.
Thursday, March 12 quarterfinals at Sterling, Colo.
- Lamar 84, Casper 70
- Laramie County 88, McCook 79
- Northwest 76, North Platte 74
- Trinidad 78, Northeastern 74
Friday, March 13 semifinals at Sterling, Colo.
- Lamar 87, Laramie County 79 (overtime) BOX SCORE
- Trinidad State 73, Northwest 72 BOX SCORE
Saturday, March 14 finals at Sterling, Colo.
- Lamar vs. Trinidad State, 7 p.m.
