Virginia Peninsula Community College will play the Community College of Allegheny County at 8:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 27, in the semifinals of the NJCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic District 10 men’s basketball tournament. The game will be played at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
The winner advances to the final March 1 at 1 p.m., with a berth to the NJCAA Division III national tournament in Herkimer, N.Y., on the line.
The Wildcats (13-12) were runners-up in the Region 20 tournament, losing to Pennsylvania Highlands Community College 60-50. VPCC (21-6) beat Penn Highlands 78-77 on Dec. 19 at SafeHaven Empowerment Center. The Gators and Wildcats share another common opponent: the College of Southern Maryland. The Gators lost to the Hawks 86-80 in early November. The Wildcats lost to the Hawks 115-96 in mid-January.
The Gators, winners of 11 consecutive games, captured the Region 10 tournament last weekend at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst, N.C. The Gators opened with a 97-67 victory over Patrick & Henry Community College and followed it with a 100-71 win over the host school. It was the third time this season the Gators defeated the Flyers, although the previous two games were by a combined five points.
Despite the victory, the Gators didn’t move up any spots in the latest NJCAA Division III poll, remaining at No. 11. It was the third consecutive week the Gators were ranked.
The Gators basketball program joined the NJCAA for the 2023-24 season. They won the New South Athletic Conference postseason tournament in 2022 and have won 13 VCCS titles.
For more information on VPCC athletics, visit www.vpccgators.com.