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Sixth-seeded Salem CC opens Region XIX Division III men’s tournament at CC of Philadelphia, winner plays for a bid to national tournament

REGION XIX TOURNAMENT
DIVISION III MEN
Saturday’s Games
No. 10 RCSJ-Gloucester (11-16, 9-9) at No. 7 Brookdale (18-7, 12-6)
No. 9 Ocean (16-8, 11-7) at No. 8 Atlantic Cape (14-13, 11-7)
Feb. 26 Games
RCSJ-Gloucester/Brookdale at No. 2 Montgomery (20-5, 15-3)
No. 6 Salem (21-7, 13-5) at No. 3 Philadelphia (20-7, 15-3), 6 p.m.
Atlantic Cape/Ocean at No. 1 Union (21-4, 17-1)
No. 5 Camden (17-10, 14-4) at No. 4 Northampton (22-5, 14-4)
March 1 Games
At Northampton CC
(Winners to NJCAA Tournament)
North Atlantic A Championship
Atlantic Cape/Ocean/Union vs. Camden/Northampton, noon
North Atlantic B Championship
RCSJ-Gloucester/Brookdale/Montgomery vs. Salem/Philadelphia, 3 p.m.

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – Just how deep is the Division III men’s basketball configuration in Region XIX? After putting together its first 20-win season in 20 years and making the biggest turnaround in the league, Salem CC pulled down a No. 6 seed for the region tournament that starts this weekend.

The Mighty Oaks will play at third-seeded CC of Philadelphia in the second round of the Region XIX Tournament Wednesday at 6 p.m.

“It feels good, it’s been a while for this school, but the job ain’t through,” Mighty Oaks coach Mike Green said. “It’d feel great to play in that national tournament. I keep telling my guys that’s where you want to be.”

It’s been a nice ride so far. The Mighty Oaks had their winningest season since reviving the program in 2019, enjoyed their first 20-win season in 20 years and beat a ranked opponent for the first time ever. They’re ranked eighth in the country (JUCO Division III) in scoring (87.2 ppg) and third in 3-pointers per game (8.8)

“We’re really proud of what coach Green and the team have been able to accomplish,” athletics director Bob Hughes said. “We’re looking forward to cheering them on and supporting them up in Philadelphia on Wednesday night.”

The team got a huge boost in January when they got four players back from injury and eligibility issues. They’ve gone 11-3 since their arrival.

If they had played enough games to qualify for the national stats (60 percent of team’s games), Jyheim Spencer would rank a solid second in Division III rebounding (14.0 rpg) and Akeem Taylor would be T-4 in the region in scoring (21.0 ppg). And because they hadn’t played in 80 percent of their team’s games, neither are eligible for all-region consideration.

“It’s OK,” Green said. “I hope they have a chip on their shoulder.”

The Mighty Oaks’ 21-7 record represents a 10-win, 8.5-game improvement over last season. When Green took the team after Christmas last year it was 2-5 and he went 9-9 trying to lay the foundation for his program.

“I think we’ve got enough guys who care,” he said of the difference. “It’s not just go out there and see what happens any more. I think these guys go out there and expect to win. Last year it was moreso go out there and give whatever you’ve got.

“I’m sure those guys wanted to win, too, but we had a built-in excuse last year, seven guys, eight guys. We don’t have that built-in excuse.”

It figures to be a competitive tournament. Five of the top six teams all posted 20 wins. Three are in the Top 15 and two others – CCP and Salem – received votes for consideration.

“On our side’s matchup I feel like anybody can beat anybody,” Green said. “It means your league’s good top to bottom. I don’t think it was that last year.”

The Mighty Oaks played CCP once this season and lost 62-59 at the end of the most demanding stretch of the season, a six-game run that included the top four teams in the league. They had a “good look” to send the game into overtime, but Taylor’s shot from the left side of the arc missed the mark.

It also was the game officials erroneously allowed the Lions to insert one of their best free throw shooters off the bench to replace the injured player who was fouled instead of allowing the Mighty Oaks to make the choice as per the rule for a common foul.

Ironically, CCP knocked the Mighty Oaks out of the playoffs the last time they made it (second round 2022).

“I think we played terrible that game, so I definitely feel good about the matchup,” Green said.

If the Mighty Oaks get through their tournament opener, they’ll advance to the bracket final at Northampton where they’ll play for a berth in the national tournament.

Because the region receives two direct bids to the JUCO national tournament, it will incorporate two separate brackets to produce two champions. One bracket is headed by No. 1 seed Union and the other that includes Salem is headed by No. 2 seed Montgomery County. 

This story will be updated.