DCCC Storm basketball ends with successful season, tournament win

March 30, 2020 – In its second year in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) Division II, the Davidson County Community College Storm men’s basketball team ended with a successful season and regional tournament victory behind them.

Before their victory in the Region 10 DII tournament, the Storm finished their regular season with a 28-1 record overall. This record also ranked them third in the NJCAA Division II national poll, as well as an automatic bid to the now-cancelled NJCAA DII national championship.

“This team has had an incredible chemistry both on and off the court,” Storm men’s basketball coach Matt Ridge said. “You can see just how well they play together, and how consistent they are with their performance. Our players play hard, smart and together to wear down our competitors.”

The Storm arrived at the Region 10 DII tournament at NC Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount on March 5. Each day brought a new game and new team. The Storm defeated Fayetteville Technical Community College with 101-74, followed by Wake Technical Community College with 96-76 lead. The Storm finished the tournament with 85-77 against Louisburg College in the regional finals.

Team members also received numerous individual awards. Coach Ridge received the 2020 DII Region 10 Basketball Coach of the Year award. Conference coaches also voted sophomore forward Jamarius Hairston the 2019-2020 Region 10 DII Basketball Player of the Year and All American nominee.

Hairston and sophomore guard Arion Broadnax received First Team All Region recognition. Freshman forward Na’Zae Baltimore similarly received Third Team All Region.

Despite the awards and victories, both team members and coaching staff remarked on the unity and cohesion that has carried them through 31 games thus far leading into the regional tournament win.

“Looking where we began in August, we’ve grown so much on and off the court,” Hairston said. “The wins have been incredible, but the body of work that has gone into this season is a beautiful thing. We’re a smart, close-knit group eager to learn and execute our strategy with the will to put in the hard work to see it happen.”

This season’s team has added upon an already strong legacy. In addition to their victories on the court, all four of the Storm’s sophomore players have received multiple offers to play basketball at various four-year institutions.

The team was formerly set to attend the national tournament in Danville, Illinois, from March 17-21. It would have brought together a total of 16 teams from across the nation. The NCJAA decided March 16 to cancel all basketball championships due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

“This is only our second year in Division II, and how far we’ve come speaks volumes of this team’s chemistry and togetherness both on and off the court,” Hairston said.

---

About Davidson County Community College

Founded in 1963, Davidson County Community College is a fully accredited, multi-campus college where students of all ages and backgrounds pursue academic and career-focused education in order to build successful futures. As one of 58 institutions within the North Carolina Community College System, DCCC offers more than 40 degree and professional certificate programs to students in Davidson and Davie counties, as well as affordable college-credit coursework to students who plan to transfer to 4-year universities. With a mission to serve the changing needs of students competing in a global environment, DCCC is committed to quality education, innovative and equitable learning experiences, training, and support across a wide range of 21st-century career fields. Visit Davidson County Community College at DavidsonCCC.edu.

Media Contact

Jonathan Williams
Communications Specialist
Davidson County Community College
Office: 336-224-4510
Jonathan_Williams@davidsondavie.edu