Seahawks Finish Season with Elite Eight Appearance at National Tournament

The Cecil College men's basketball team entered the NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Tournament as the #6-seed, after being crowned NJCAA Region 20 Division II Champions with a tournament sweep and undefeated record in the region. The Seahawks earned a victory in the national tournament's first round over #11-seed SAU Tech, but suffered a loss in the Elite Eight Quarterfinal round to higher ranked, #3-seed Sullivan County Community College. The Seahawks ended their season with a loss in the consolation bracket to Henry Ford College which ended their 2021-2022 season with an overall record of 27-4.

The Seahawks set out to Danville, Illinois on Sunday, March 13 with an 11-hour drive ahead of them and a Wednesday match-up against the Rockets of Southern Arkansas Tech. With a few days of practice under their belt, the Seahawks cruised to a first round victory by a final score of 83-71. In the opening minutes of action, the Seahawks and Rockets were in a tight battle, but the Seahawks' 22-4 run that lasted through the halfway point in the first half, gave the Seahawks the confidence that would last the duration of the game. At halftime, the scoring margin was 16-points in favor of Cecil College. The Seahawks held on to their halftime lead for the remaining twenty minutes of action to earn their spot in the NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship Quarterfinals. Seahawks' starters Dominick Carrington, Darell Johnson, and Khalid Gates (10 rebounds) led the way for the Seahawks with double-digit scoring. Jacob Valeus came off the bench for the Seahawks and tallied eight points and six rebounds.

Without a day of rest, the Seahawks advanced to face the #3-seed Generals of Sullivan County Community College in the quarterfinal round. In an evenly matched first half, the Seahawks held on to slim leads throughout and headed into the break with an uncomfortable 5-point lead. The Generals came out of the locker room and scored the second half's first four baskets to take their first lead of the game. Unable to start a scoring run of their own, the Seahawks failed to catch up, trailing by as many as 15 points with 2:00 to play and a final score of 90-79 as time expired. Khalid Gates recorded back-to-back double-doubles with 10 rebounds and a career-high 31 points against the Generals. Marlon Lewis, a freshman Seahawks' reserve, tallied 10 points while Darell Johnson added 9 points.

After the loss suffered to the Generals, the Seahawks matched up against Henry Ford College in their consolation game on Friday, March 18, giving the Seahawks another opportunity to showcase their talents in front of four year colleges and universities. The Seahawks distributed the ball evenly and were able to register made baskets for all players that entered the game. Cecil College was led by Darell Johnson (14 rebounds) and Hassan Corbin with 12 points a piece and Dominick Carrington added 10 points of his own.

The Seahawks ended their 2021-2022 season with an overall record of 27-4 and an undefeated record against MD JUCO and Region 20 Division II opponents. The Seahawks suffered only one loss at home throughout the season and two losses in the regular season, both two nationally ranked Division I opponent, Harcum College. The Seahawks will look to build upon this success in years to come!