After an up and down regular season, the Joliet Junior College men’s basketball team found its stride late, finishing sixth in the nation at the NJCAA Division III National Tournament.
Entering the tournament as one of the lower ranked teams, the Wolves made a deep run, ultimately falling 70-66 to No. 2 Riverland Community College in the in Herkimer, New York.
Despite trailing by as many as 16 points, the Wolves battled back late, showing the resilience that defined their postseason push. Head Coach Danny Turner said missed opportunities down the stretch made the difference.
JJC was led by sophomore Levi Goad, who scored 24 points while adding two assists and two rebounds. Fellow sophomore Jeffrey Fleming recorded a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds.
Goad’s performance throughout the tournament earned him all tournament team honors, highlighting his impact during the post season.
To secure a sixth-place finish, JJC faced four ranked opponents in the final NJCAA Division III national poll, continuing to prove itself against top competition.
“We went through adversity earlier during the season, but it made us tough,” Turner said. “The greatest satisfaction that I received is the mere growth of every single team member, including myself as head coach.”
That growth was evident in key players who stepped into leadership roles late in the season. Turner highlighted team captains Victory Yatu and Goad for setting the tone.
“They lead by their actions and their comments on and off the floor,” Turner said. “They’ve stepped up, and we need as much as they can give us from that standpoint.”
Yatu, a 6-foot-9 post player and college prospect, provided a strong presence in the paint, while Goad continued to build on his role from the previous season.
“Levi Goad was our top sixth man last year,” Turner said. “He’s done really, really well this year, better than he did last year in terms of his contribution.”
Turner also recognized Goad as one of the most improved players on the roster, crediting his development as a key factor in the team’s late season success
Their performance not only earned them a top-six national finish, but also recognition for Turner, who was named District Coach of the Year.
