Men's Basketball
18 Winter 2025-26 Region 4 Student-Athletes earn NJCAA All-American accolades
April 13, 2026
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has released its list of All-Americans for the 2025-26 winter sports season, and 18 student-athletes representing Region 4 were recognized. The group includes nine from men's basketball, four from women's basketball, three in wrestling, and two from men's bowling. There are five first team recipients, five second team honorees, two third team selections, and six honorable mention distinctions. The student-athletes represent 12 Region 4 institutions.
Former Triton College men's basketball player Tyler Olsen seizes coaching opportunity at Illinois
April 02, 2026
There will be a Triton College connection when the University of Illinois' men's basketball team hits the floor in Indianapolis at the NCAA Final Four. Former Trojan walk-on player Tyler Olsen who viewed the game cerebrally during his time at Triton, now analyzes basketball under the sport's brightest lights as a graduate assistant coach for Illinois under head man Brad Underwood. Becoming a NCAA champion truly is the sum of many parts, so if the Fighting Illini craft two more wins, Olsen's imprint will be part of the glory.
Joliet places sixth to lead trio of Region 4 teams at national tournaments
April 01, 2026
HERKIMER, N.Y. & DANVILLE, ILL. - Region 4 saw three men's basketball teams qualify and compete at their respective national tournaments in 2025-26. Joliet Junior College went 2-2 and finished in sixth place at the NJCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championships, while Milwaukee Area Technical College and South Suburban College were a combined 1-4 at the NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championships.
Region 4 Announces Winter 2024-25 All-Region Teams
March 25, 2026
The NJCAA Region 4 has announced the numerous recipients of All-Region Team accolades for student-athletes competing in the Winter 2025-26 season, including those recipients of Region 4 Player of the Year honors.
Milwaukee Tech, South Suburban reign supreme with Region 4 crowns
March 17, 2026
ROCKFORD, ILL. - Milwaukee Area Technical College and South Suburban College have combined to win 15 of the 21 possible Region 4 Midwest District titles, which now includes the 2025-26 season after the school's claimed the NJCAA Region 4 Midwest District A & B Tournament championships. The Stormers won their fifth straight and seventh in the last eight years with an 84-68 victory over Bryant & Stratton College in the Midwest A finale. The Bulldogs posted a 74-70 win over host Rock Valley College in the Midwest B championship to secure their 14th crown in the last 20 years. Randy Casey of MATC and John Pigatti of SSC were named Region 4 Coaches of the Year.
Malcolm X holds on late to secure first Region 4 championship in 13 years
March 17, 2026
RIVER GROVE & CHICAGO, ILL. - A wild finish to the Region 4 Division I Men's Basketball Tournament resulted in Malcolm X College claiming an 80-79 victory over Triton College to secure their first title since 2013. The championship is the third for the Hawks, who also won in 1996. Coach Ron White was awarded Region 4 Coach of the Year.
Double OT classic sends Joliet to NJCAA Division III National Tournament
March 05, 2026
JOHNSTOWN, PENN. & ELYRIA, OHIO - The Joliet Junior College men's basketball team completed an incredible postseason run with an all-time classic 92-88 double overtime win over Virginia Peninsula Community College to win the NJCAA Mid-Atlantic District Championship. The Wolves opened the playoffs with a 103-80 defeat of Lorain County Community College in the sub-district final, and followed it up with an 88-67 decision over Pennsylvania Highland Community College to region the district title game. Danny Turner was named Mid-Atlantic District Coach of the Year.
UNBREAKABLY STRONG: A comeback forged in steel
February 09, 2026
Watching any basketball player slam into the padded wall just beyond the hoop would make most people wince but watching Reggie Strong do it makes one worried he might shatter. He's far from porcelain ware, however. He's more like the bionic man. Today, Reggie largely is pieced together with metal rods and bolts. He wasn't supposed to live. He was told he would never walk again, let alone play basketball. The naysayers didn't know Reggie Strong. He defied the doctors for his return to life and the game he loves at Moraine Valley.
Madison's Davenport, Kalinowski earning local honors for years of service
January 29, 2026
A pair of Madison College coaches are being recognized for their years of service and success, as well as one former coach and one former student-athlete. WolfPack baseball coach Mike Davenport has been announced as part of an upcoming Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Assocation (WBCA) Hall of Fame Class of 2026, while former baseball coach and current head softball coach Leo Kalinowski was recently presented the Gus Burwell Distinguished Service Award by the Madison Dugout Club. Additionally, former Madison College women's basketball coach Steven Bentin and former men's basketball player Eric Nelson are among a group of 30 to be inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Assocation (WBCA) Hall of Fame.
Region 4 Hall of Fame welcomes seven-member Class of 2026 for induction
January 13, 2026
The NJCAA Region 4 Hall of Fame is pleased to announce a seven-member induction Class of 2026. The group includes four student-athletes and three lifetime achievement recipients that all excelled during their time competing in or representing Region 4. The inductees represent six different Region 4 schools, including two inductees from Oakton College and one each from Waubonsee Community College, South Suburban College, Madison College, Harry S. Truman College, and Harper College.
Former Oakton College Athletic Director Receives Prestigious Service Award
October 20, 2025
Des Plaines, Ill. — Former Oakton College athletic director and longtime coach Tom Jorndt received the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 4 Berdy Kuiken Service Award, celebrating his decades of service to collegiate athletics at Oakton and nationally. The award was presented June 5 during the NJCAA Region 4 athletic directors meeting at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove. Jorndt received a standing ovation from colleagues, former student-athletes, family and fellow college athletics leaders.
Madison's Gary "Big Dog" Breneman: In His Words
August 12, 2025
Gary Breneman was the center of attention during the 2024-25 athletic season at Madison College, and rightfully so, as "Big Dog" completed his 50th year on campus. The year included several celebrations, the renaming of the Big Dog Concessions, the introduction of an two annual Big Dog scholarships, and the unveiling of a new Big Dog Aces & Deuces scoreboard. Big Dog was also mic'd up for a basketball and baseball doubleheader, as well as sat down in front of the camera to reflect on his time. This is Big Dog: In His Words.
23 Winter 2024-25 Region 4 Student-Athletes earn NJCAA All-American accolades
April 11, 2025
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has released its list of All-Americans for the 2024-25 winter sports season, and 23 student-athletes representing Region 4 were recognized. The group includes seven from men's basketball, six from women's basketball and wrestling, and four combined in men's and women's bowling. There are six first team recipients, three second team honorees, three third team selections, and 11 honorable mention distinctions. The student-athletes represent 13 Region 4 institutions.
Region 4 sends three to NJCAA men's basketball national tournaments
April 02, 2025
Region 4 was represented by three men's basketball teams at two separate NJCAA national tournaments, with the trio combining for a 3-4 record. Bryant & Stratton College and Milwaukee Area Technical College both competed at the 2025 NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championships, while defending national runner-up Triton College was back at the 2025 NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championships.
Region 4 Announces Winter 2024-25 All-Region Teams
March 18, 2025
The NJCAA Region 4 has announced the numerous recipients of All-Region Team accolades for student-athletes competing in the Winter 2024-25 season, including those recipients of Region 4 Player of the Year honors.
City of Milwaukee rules Region 4 Division II with pair of championships
March 13, 2025
ROCKFORD, ILL. - A pair of Region 4 Division II Men's Basketball Tournament Championship trophies now reside in the city of Milwaukee after Bryant & Stratton College and Milwaukee Area Technical College won the Midwest District A & B titles, respectively. The top-seeded Bobcats secured their first Region 4 crown with a 71-66 defeat of host and #4-seed Rock Valley College, while the #10-seeded Stormers stayed atop the region with an 85-74 victory over #3-seed South Suburban College in a matchup of last year's two region champions. Charles Ruffing of BSC and Randy Casey from MATC were named Region 4 Coaches of the Year.