CHIPOLA SWEEPS MEN’S AND WOMEN’S STATE HOOPS TITLES
National Tournament Photos - Men's
National Tournament Photos - Ladies

MARIANNA—The Chipola College Indians captured their second straight Florida Junior College Region VIII men’s basketball championship Saturday, with a 73-61 win over Daytona Beach Community College.

The Indians were led in scoring by Mario Boggan with 19 points. Stefon Hannah scored 12. Kendaris Pelton added 11.

Chipola will represent Florida and Region VIII in the National Junior College Athletic Association tournament, March 22-26 in Hutchinson, KS. Chipola finished sixth in the 2004 national tourney.

Earlier Saturday evening the Chipola Lady Indians captured their first-ever state championship—only the second time in state history that one community college won both the men’s and women’s titles.

The Lady Indians captured the Florida Championship with a 54-51 win over defending state champion Gulf Coast Community College.

A capacity home-court crowd in the Milton H. Johnson Health Center watched as Tojalyn “Sweet Pea” Atmore hit a shot at the buzzer to give Chipola the edge. Atmore also led Chipola with 16 points. Chinata Nesbit added 12. Tayani Clark scored 10.

The game appeared to be headed for overtime with four seconds remaining when Atmore made the field goal to give Chipola its first-ever women’s state title.

Second year Chipola head coach David Lane, said, “It was unbelievable. I’m so happy for Sweet Pea. We practiced the shot several times this year. From my angle, the shot appeared to be off, but it hooked and went in.”

Lane said his team had tremendous heart and spirit. “They battled and did what they had to do to win. It was a neat experience for them. I’m happy they’ll get to go to nationals. That’s why I coach, so they can get see that hard work pays off.”

Chipola’s Cinderella season began to blossom on Feb. 1, when they scored a 62-40 upset over top-ranked Gulf Coast. The Chipola win was Gulf Coast’s first conference loss in 66 games. Chipola also had to beat Pensacola in a Feb. 28 playoff game to earn their spot in the state tournament.

The Lady Indians will represent Florida and Region VIII in the NJCAA National Tournament, March 22-26 in Salina, KS.