Men's basketball team had a season to remember

It was a run the Eastern Florida State College men's basketball team was not sure they would even have the opportunity to make.

The Titans left the Region VIII Tournament in Ocala as one of the bubble teams after a loss to St. Petersburg in the championship game.

"We didn't know, that was a hard loss for us, we thought our season was over," sophomore Austin Awad said earlier this week. "We were blessed to get the bid to Hutch and the opportunity to play for a national title."

The Titans got that bid as one of the four at-large teams into the NJCAA National Championship Tournament, heading back to Hutchinson for the third straight season, a record for the program who has now been to the tournament seven times since 1969.

And the team made the most of this opportunity, defeating Monroe College, Motlow State and South Plains to head to the national championship game for the first time in school history.

On the way, the Titans won 31 games which is a school record and had three players named to the all-tournament team as Eli Abaev, Ahmed Ali and Kareem Brewton were all recognized for their performances in the tournament.

"What a magical season for the coaching staff and the players," Eastern Florida State College Associate Vice President of Athletics Jeff Carr said. "We all thoroughly enjoyed their run and they should hold their heads high for the amazing accomplishments. We are very proud of the team and their achievements. Well done!!"

The runner-up trophy is the first for the program and will be a reminder of this team's accomplishments for years to come.

And they did it as a team.

"This team is seriously a brotherhood, I can't begin to tell you," Awad said. "We have guys who have played together since high school and some since last year but we love each other and you can see it in our game. We are really lucky and truly blessed to be here."