After battling through a challenging early schedule, the Joliet Junior College men’s basketball team found its rhythm and qualified for the NJCAA national tournament by defeating No. 11 Virginia Peninsula Community College in a double overtime 92-88 thriller on March 1. The win ensured a trip to the national tournament where the Wolves will face Dallas College Eastfield on March 11 in Herkimer, New York.
Despite the pressure in the final game, Turner remained confident as the game stretched into double overtime.
“We were defending very well,” Turner said. “We made some key mistakes fouling shooters and missing key free throws that could have won the game. But from a defensive standpoint, we redeemed ourselves.”
Defense ultimately won them the game. Facing a nationally ranked opponent, the Wolves stood their ground with lockdown play.
The Wolves also dominated the boards, racking up 49 rebounds, which helped tremendously going into overtime.
Turner highlights several athletes for their pivotal roles throughout the season. One athlete he highlights is Jeffrey Fleming, who has remained one of the Wolves’ most consistent performers and has been an All-American nominee.
“You’ve got to give it to Fleming,” Turner said. “He’s just been consistent all year, a double-double guy.”
“Jyavion Green really stepped up and shot the ball really well,” Turner said. “He hit five threes and went five for ten from the field.”
While the Wolves’ record earlier in the season placed them among the teams with the highest number of losses in the national tournament field, the team has continued to compete with some of the best programs in the country.
“We’ve beat every Division III team we faced,” Turner said. “We upset two teams that were ranked in the country.”
Among those victories were wins against nationally ranked Prairie State and Illinois Valley, proving the Wolves can compete with top programs despite their record.
For the players, chemistry has been a major factor behind their late-season success.
“I feel like we bounce off each other extremely well, and that’s something that’s really underrated,” said starting center Victor Yatou. “When we play together, we play a different brand of basketball that not many teams see. When teams come into the tournament, it can surprise them.”
Team captain Levi Goad says the focus remains simple as the Wolves prepare for the matchup.
“Our main goal is definitely to go all the way,” Goad said. “We’re taking it a game at a time. We’re going to watch a film on Dallas and do what we can to win.”
Despite beginning the season with a 2–6 record, the Wolves have fought their way into the national tournament, a journey that Goad believes can be summed up in one word.
“Resilience,” Goad said. “Starting off 2–6 and being where we’re at now, going to the national tournament after a double overtime game, I’d say resilient.”
The Wolves will travel to Herkimer, New York, to compete in the NJCAA Division III National tournament on Nov. 11.
To capture a national championship, the Wolves will need to win four straight games against the best NJCAA teams in the country, but both players and Turner are very confident they could make the run.
