The South Suburban College Men’s Basketball Team presented their team accolades to college Chairman Frank Zuccarelli (center with trophy) and the Board of Trustees at their April meeting. (PHOTO SUPPLIED)
South Holland, IL-(ENEWSPF)- The South Suburban College (SSC) Men’s Basketball Team presented the Board of Trustees with trophies the Bulldogs recently earned on their way to a 7th place finish at the National Junior Conference Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Tournament. The Bulldogs lost the first game of the tournament before winning their final three to earn the Consolation Championship and a final record of 31-6.
Following the Bulldogs opening loss to Ft. Scott (KS) Community College, they went on to defeat Lake Michigan College 74-71, outlast Garrett College 97-96 in overtime, and ultimately win the Consolation Championship Game 70-61 over vs. St. Louis College to place 7th.
“I am so proud of the heart this team showed,” said Head Coach John Pigatti. “It was disappointing to lose the first game but our guys never gave up and fought hard to win those last three games.”
Sophomore Antonio Levy was just named 1st Team All-American. Levy was also voted to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament All-Tournament Team, Region IV-A Player of the Year, and MVP of the Regional Tournament. Sophomore Jalen Brown was named to the Region IV-A 2nd Team. Sophomore Anthony Strickland was named to the Region IV All-Tournament Team.
Coach Pigatti was named Region IV and District IV Coach of the Year for the 6th time in his eight seasons at SSC. He has now had eight 1st Team All-Americans during that time.
In related news, former Bulldog Marcus Lewis won the NCAA Division I National Dunk Contest last week. Lewis is currently on scholarship at Eastern Kentucky University. The 6-foot-4 guard defeated Baylor center Cory Jefferson in the finals.
“This type of award is unprecedented –it’s a really big deal,” said Coach Pigatti. “I am very happy for Marcus, not only on wining the dunk contest but for helping his team get to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.”
Lewis averaged 13.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.5 steals as a sophomore on the Bulldogs’ 2011-12 Basketball Team that finished 3rd in the Nation.
View his winning dunk:
For more information, contact Coach Pigatti at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2524. SSC is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois.
