For the fourth consecutive year, the Kirkwood Community College men’s basketball team is heading to Danville, IL to compete in the NJCAA National Tournament. The Eagles bested the field in the Region XI Tournament, finishing with a 63-52 win over Iowa Central Community College.
The men traveled to Boone to play in the Region XI Tournament after a 69-47 home victory over Clinton Community College. The Eagles were up against tournament host and No. 4 seed DMACC in the semifinal round of regionals. The hard work of former Hawkeye Brennan Cougill (Sioux City, IA) lead the Eagles to a 64-58 win. Cougill scored a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Louis Cox (Brooklyn Park, MN) added nine points.
The championship game featured the top-seeded Eagles against the No. 2 seed Iowa Central Community College. In a hard fought battle, the men defeated the Tritons 63-52 for their eighth Region XI title in nine years.
Cougill was awarded Tournament MVP while Alex Coleman (Cedar Rapids) and Louis Cox received All-Tournament Team honors.
The Eagles also had players recognized on the All-Region Team including Cougill and Cox on the First Team, Richie Thompson Jr. (Harvey, IL) and Michael Weber (Ames, IA) on Second Team, with Preston Brunz (Mankato, MN) and Alex Coleman receiving Honorable Mention All-Region honors.
The Eagles’ berth to nationals marks the eleventh national tournament appearance in the last 13 years with three second place finishes. The men look to improve on their third place finish last season to bring home the national title. The 28-5 Kirkwood Eagles head into the National Tournament with the No. 4 seed, taking on Highland Community College Tuesday, March 15, at 1 p.m.
Updated tournament information is available on the National Junior College Athletic Association website: www.njcaa.org.