Returning to the courts after their dramatic OT win at Districts on March 8, the Men’s Basketball team shifted their focus to game one at the NJCAA National Championship on March 16. The #12 ranked Ocelots faced a strong opponent: #5 Iowa Central Community College (27-6). In a game marred by numerous shooting errors from the field, the Ocelots fell 69-50 and ended their hopes for a run at the National Championship.

The first half proved to be an uphill battle for Schoolcraft, who got off to a sluggish start. The team managed to score just 22 points in the opening 20 minutes, while Iowa Central tallied 37, opening up a 15-point lead that would become a massive hurdle for the Ocelots to overcome in the second half.

The scoring in the second half was much closer, 28 points for Schoolcraft and 32 for Iowa, but the lead had already been firmly established.

It was a highly tactical game, devoid of fast-break frenzies, and characterized by intense battles for rebounds. In this regard, Iowa Central held the edge with a total of 50 rebounds: 35 defensive and 15 offensive. Schoolcraft, meanwhile, recorded 41 rebounds: 23 defensive and 18 offensive.

Iowa also proved superior in points scored in the paint, converting 30 points compared to Schoolcraft’s 20.

The individual standout for the Ocelots was Rael Cochran, who posted a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Vohn Walker also contributed double-digit scoring to the effort, netting 12 points.

Coming off the bench, freshman Jeremiah Caffey made a positive impact on the game, recording 12 points and 6 rebounds.

Despite the loss and the end of their quest for a national title, the Ocelots delivered an excellent performance throughout the season, restoring the program’s competitive edge and setting a new standard for seasons to come.

The team now focuses on the next game taking place on Wednesday, March 18 against #13 Davidson-Davie Community College in the consolation bracket.