The Central Community College men's basketball team lost to Southeast Community College, 96-76, in the Region IX championship game on Saturday afternoon.
The first half was close early on before the Storm built a 27-20 lead at the 10:07 mark on Jalen Patton-Croker's three-point bucket. CCC answered with a 7-0 run comprised of two Latrell Talley baskets and a Damien Marquez three-pointer to pull to within two, 29-27. Near the end of the opening half, the Raiders were held scoreless for a three-minute stretch late in the first half as SCC went on a 9-0 run and went on to take a 46-37 lead at halftime.
CCC exploded with a 17-5 run to open the second half to take a 54-51 lead at the 14:27 mark. However, the Storm responded with a 24-6 run to take a 75-60 lead with just under eight minutes to play and they held on from there.
All five CCC starters posted double-digit scoring with Tre'vion Crawford leading the way with 18 points. Latrell Talley chipped in 15 points, while Payden Borders and Nathan Frost each scored 11 points. Frost also pulled down 15 rebounds for a double double. Manape Cleveland totaled 10 points.
With the loss, the Raiders posted a 10-17 mark for the 2018-19 season.
"It was a tough season with lots of adversity," said CCC head coach Jerry Drymon. "However, as I told them in the locker room, I am really proud that they kept competing throughout the season. It is a reflection of their character. We have a good group of guys to be around on a daily basis."