The team’s success reflects dedication
The Portland Community College men's basketball team captured its second consecutive Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) South Region title in emphatic fashion, defeating Clackamas 92-73 on Feb. 24 on the road and earning a berth in the NWAC championship in Pasco, Washington. The Panthers closed out the regular season with a 19-9 overall record and a 12-4 mark in conference play under head coach Cameron Mitchell, who has now led the program to a record 44 wins over the past two seasons.Â
"It was a huge accomplishment to win the South Region for the second straight year," Mitchell said. "With only two returning players from last year's team, it is a testament to the guys' dedication and work ethic this season."
The win didn't come easy, as PCC had a shaky start against the Cougars. Clackamas shot 52% in the first half and led by as many as eight points. With the offense struggling, Mitchell called upon JahAllah Van, who provided an instant spark off the bench with eight straight points. His second three-pointer of the game gave the Panthers a brief lead, but Clackamas regained control to enter halftime up 38-35.
The second half, however, was all PCC. The Panthers stormed out of the break with a 16-0 run, flipping the game on its head and never looking back. Jackson Leach led the charge with 17 second-half points, finishing with 27 overall. Van added 16 points and three steals, while Daniel James rebounded from a scoreless first half to contribute 15 points.
With momentum on their side, PCC now turns its focus to the NWAC Championship Tournament, where they'll face Columbia Basin at noon on Saturday, March 8, in Pasco.
"We are excited to head back to Pasco for the NWAC Championships and know it will be a big challenge playing the host team in the first round," Mitchell added. "We look forward to the challenge and will use these next few days to continue improving in practice."Â
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