DANVILLE, Ill. –  The Parkland College men's basketball team fell to No. 3 seed Kirkwood Community College (33-3) on Saturday, March 22, in the NJCAA National Tournament Championship. Despite a valiant effort from Parkland (33-3), Kirkwood managed to edge out a narrow 55-54 victory in the closing seconds to secure the NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship title. The national runner-ups had three Cobras named to the All-Tournament Team: JaMonte Williams, Jaiden Martin, and Drew Lewis Jr. 

Kirkwood established early momentum after starting the game off with a dunk and then taking the 4-0 lead right after. Parkland (33-3) responded with a three-pointer from Jaiden Martin, keeping the game close at 4-3. As the first half progressed, Parkland found its rhythm and pushed ahead 15-10 after Adam Squire drained a three-pointer at the 12:55 mark. The Eagles answered back with an 11-0 run to get the 21-15 lead, but Drew Lewis Jr. made a three-pointer to help the Cobras pull within three points again. By halftime, the Eagles led 29-25. 

The Eagles maintained the lead for the first five minutes of the second half, but JaMonte Williams gave the Cobras the 36-35 advantage with a made jump shot. The lead continued to go back-and-forth, and the two teams were tied 52-52 with just under two minutes on the clock. The Eagles made a bucket with 1:20 on the clock to go up by two, and then a Williams layup tied it once again with only 29 seconds left in the game. With only seconds left, the Cobras fouled the Eagles, and they knocked down the game-winning free throw to seal the one-point victory. 

"As I mentioned to the fellas in the locker room, there is no disappointment in this year," Parkland head coach John Bowler said after the heartbreaking loss. "They have elevated this program back to a level that hasn't been seen in several decades. I am truly proud of how they have represented our program and institution. They did it with grit, dedication and toughness."
 
The Cobras finished as the national runner-up with a record of 33-3, the most single-season wins in school history. The team won their second consecutive Mid-West Athletic Conference title and region title, and Bowler was also named as the MWAC and Region 24 Coach of the Year for the second year in a row.
 
"Appreciate all of the support that has been shown over this season," Bowler added. "Our team truly deserves all the love they have been given. Thank you to all the members of our Parkland and Champaign community for sharing in our journey."
 
Statistical Overview:
JaMonte Williams: 17 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists
Drew Lewis Jr.: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Chandler Jackson: 8 points, 6 rebounds
Jaiden Martin: 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block
Fabio Da Rocha: 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block