Kevin Murphy, Correspondent (@KevinMurphyFS on Twitter) 

TALLAHASSEE, FLA., (www.franchisesportsonline.net) – The Tallahassee Community College men’s basketball team are on their way to the state tournament in Ocala for the second year in a row, both years being the first two of Coach Mark White’s tenure at Tallahassee Community College.

The Eagles head to Ocala with a season record of 24-6 overall, 7-5 in Panhandle Conference play, and looking to end a two game losing streak.

They also look to eventually reach the NJCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship in Hutchinson, Kansas after falling just one game short last year after losing in the state tournament’s championship game to Northwest Florida State College. 

A possible rematch in the final game of the tournament with Northwest Florida looms, a fact that is not lost on the players and Coach White.

“Definitely, going to that game is definitely extra motivation,” said TCC Eagles freshman guard Jeremy Hayes said when asked about the possible matchup in the tournament. ” I feel that we really got a chip on our shoulder and we are ready for this tournament.” Continue reading TCC Men’s Basketball Face St. Petersburg College at 3 p.m. on Thursday. →

Kevin Murphy, Correspondent (@KevinMurphyFS on Twitter)

TALLAHASSEE, FLA., (www.franchisesportsonline.net) – The Tallahassee Community College women’s basketball team are headed to their first state tournament since 2010. They will play Southern Conference Champion and nationally-ranked Palm Beach State College tonight at 8 p.m. in Ocala for their first meeting this season.

The Eagles head to the tournament ranked 9^th in the final NJCAA poll. They also have top 5 scorer in the country Lawriell Wilson leading them in this historically successful season. Wilson recently received the honor of being named the Panhandle Conference’s women’s basketball player of the year, being only the second TCC player ever to receive the award.

She also looks to become TCC’s all-time leading scorer with only 15 points separating her from clinching the record.

“I’m just focused on the game, it’ll come,”  Lady Eagles Sophomore Guard Lawriell Wilson when asked by Franchise Sports reporters about her potentially reaching this milestone in the game tonight.

Teammate Japonica James was also named the Panhandle Conference Freshman of the year. Another standout this year has been freshman Jas Hill, who averaged 15 points per game in conference play. All three were named to the 2017 Coaches’ All-Panhandle Conference team as well.

Palm Beach State enters the tournament on a two game skid after only losing two games the entire season. The Eagles will look to hand PBS their third straight loss in order to move on to the next round and play the winner of a matchup between Gulf Coast State and Central Florida.

Dimetry Dixon, Correspondent (@DimetryDixonFs on Twitter)

TALLLAHASSEE, FLA., (www.franchisesportsonline.net) – Tallahassee Community College’s women’s basketball team ended their season off on a good note, by defeating Northwest Florida State 95-67 on Sophomore Night at the Bill Hebrock Eagledome.

Both teams started of slow, until the Lady Eagles started to get things going in the second period. Never trailing in all four quarters, and with the help of Lawriell Wilson scoring a game high 27 points, Japonica James with 10 rebounds and Lindsay Jones with six assist.

“We came out a little slow,” said Lady Eagles Sophomore Guard Lawriell Wilson, who was recognized for becoming just the second female player in school history to score 1,000 career points. “I feel like my energy was low, and that the team feeds off me. I picked it up a little bit, and our energy went up. It all worked out.”  

Wilson was recently named the Panhandle Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Year.

Wilson, who has played in all 28 games, also averaged 7.0 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.1 steals. She is shooting 43.3 percent from the floor, 34.7 percent on three-pointers and 82.6 percent from the free-throw line.

“Ten rebounds,” said TCC Freshman Forward Janoica James. “I did not play good, but if I can’t do nothing I feel like (can contribute with gaining rebounds) I should do that.”

The Lady Eagles ended their regular season 22-6. They also went on a 12- game winning streak to start the season.

“We had some adversity and hit some bumps,” said TCC Head Coach Franqua Bedell also known as Coach Q on his team’s 12-game winning streak earlier this season. “We finally came together and everybody is on one page.”

With the regular season over, the Lady Eagles have now been focusing on the FCSAA State/NJCAA District VIII Tournament in Ocala.

Alex Krutchik, Correspondent ( @AlexKrutchikFS on Twitter) 

TALLAHASSEE, FLA., (www.franchisesportsonline.net) – Panhandle Conference Women’s player of the year this past Monday. She is the second female from TCC to win the award, with Shamar Harris doing it most recently in 2008.

The sophomore from Kenner, La lead the state in points per game (21.1), and was sxith-best in the conference in 3-point percentage (34.7 percent). On February 18, she became the second player in TCC women’s history to reach 1,000 career points. In 28 games this season, she also averaged 7.0 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 2.1 steals.

Perhaps her most memorable performance was during TCC’s upset against reining national champion Gulf Coast State. In the 89-78 victory, Wilson notched 29 points on a 13-for-19 shooting performance. She also pulled down five rebounds and had five assists.

On Wednesday, March 8, her and the Eagles will begin play at the state tournament where she will be just 15 points shy of breaking the TCC scoring record.

Alex Krutchik, Correspondent (@AlexKrutchikFS on Twitter) 

TALLAHASSEE, FLA., – (www.franchisesportsonline.net) – The No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the state, both undefeated, playing a rematch of last year’s State Championship. It would only make sense that the game would come down to the wire.

The Northwest Florida State Raiders defeated the Tallahassee Community College Eagles 78-76.

Tallahassee head coach Mark was previously 23-0 at home with the Eagles.

“It’s one of those games where if you’re sitting at home, and you’re getting ready to watch a college basketball game, you know it’s between two of the best teams in the country,” said TCC Head Coach Mark White. “And when the game is over, you say ‘man that was a great game.” 

The first half was neck and neck. The Raiders got out to a 21-13 lead at one point, but Tallahassee never let them go on a substantial run. With 8:24 left in the half, Tallahassee had a 2-point lead, but that would be the only lead they had for the half.

Tallahassee’s Deion Bute opened the second half with a bucket, and the Eagles went on a 9-2 run in the first four minutes. Bute ended with 9-points and six rebounds.

During the last eight minutes, the game was tied six times.

With 29 seconds left, Bute grabbed a rebound and drew a shooting foul on the other end of the floor. Down by one, he hit one of two free throws to tie it at 76-76.

 With less than 20 seconds left, Northwest Florida got the ball and pushed up the court. The Raider’s Daryl Edwards hit a layup with three seconds left to break the tie. Edwards led his team in scoring with 20 points.

Tallahassee’s Kiair Crouch pushed up the floor and tried for the buzzer-beater, but was double-teamed, and didn’t get a shot off. Many of Tallahassee’s players, especially Crouch, thought there was significant contact made on the shot.

“It’s one game,” said coach White, whose team is now 3-1 in conference play. “If you win, you enjoy it till 11:30 tomorrow… If you lose, you pout around a little bit, and by 11:30 it’s over with.”

Sophomore David Simmons lead all scorers with a season high 28-points.

Tallahassee looks to regain their momentum on Tuesday against Pensacola State at home.

Janne Mundin, Correspondent 

TALLAHASSEE, FLA., (www.franchisesportsonline.net) – The Tallahassee Community College Women’s Basketball team will face the Northwest Florida State College Raiders at home in the Eagledome Saturday, January 21st at 5:30 EST.

Currently, the TCC Women’s Basketball team is ranked No.11 by the NJCAA and No. 3 in Region six, which is led by Coach Franqua Bedel.

Last season, the Raiders defeated the Lady Eagles, 70-64. The Eagles were led by Eboni Watts, who had 26-points.

Overall, the TCC Eagles scored 29-points in the first half, and 35-points the second half. Meanwhile, the Raiders scored 33-points, and 37-points in the second half of the game. Both teams gave up 23-points off of turnovers.

TCC Eagle’s Lawriell Wilson was given the honor of being named the NJCAA Division I Women’s Basketball player of the week for January 9-15. She is currently a sophomore and is the top scorer in Region 8.

A win tomorrow will ultimately give one of the team the advantage in advancing in the 2016-2017 finals.

Janne Ree Kiesha Mundin, Correspondent 

TALLAHASSEE, FLA., (www.franchisesportsonline.) – The Tallahassee Community College Men’s Basketball team will face Northwest Florida State College Raiders, at home inside the Bill Hebrock Eagledome on Saturday, January 21st at 7:30 EST.

This will be the first of two matchups between these to top ranked teams this season. NWF State is currently ranked No.11 in the country, and second. On the other hand, TCC is ranked No. 7 in the country and No. 1 in the state.

Last season, the Raiders took home the victory with a final of 81-72. During the first half of that game, TCC Eagles scored 33-points, following 39-points the second half of the game; meanwhile NWF State Raiders scored 42-points in the first half of play, and finished off the second half scoring 39-points.

Overall, the Eagles gained 45-points from rebounds, and gave up 13-points on turnovers.

The TCC Men’s Basketball team was able to win 20 out of 21 games this season, they have been led by second-year Coach Mark White. They were able to successfully achieve 10-0 for the first time in over 16 years this year, which was earned with a win against Albany Technical College, 90-60.

The Raiders are led by Coach Steve DeMeo, whose team is on a five-game win streak, and have won 17 of their 19 games this 2016-17 season.

In the 2015 season, the Raiders successfully won the NJCAA Championship against the South Plains College in overtime, with a score of 83-80.

By: Alex Krutchik, Correspondent ( @AlexKrutchikFS on Twitter)

TALLAHASSEE, FLA., (www.franchisesportsonline.net) – Tallahassee Community College women’s basketball guard Lawriell Wilson has been named the NJCAA Region 8 Women’s Basketball Player of the Week.

| Franchise Sports Tallahassee

The voting period included all games between Jan. 9 and Jan. 15. In the two games she played during the voting period, she averaged 30.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.

Over the course of her sophomore season, she is averaging 20.1 points per game, as well as 7.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists. Wilson and the Eagles are 1-2 in conference play, and get back into action at home on Jan. 21 against Northwest Florida State College.