Men’s Basketball: CCC Falls in Region 9 Title Game

The Central Community College men's basketball team lost to Southeast Community College, 77-69, in Saturday's Region 9 championship at the Raider Fieldhouse.

The first 15 minutes of the contest were close as there were seven ties. With the score knotted at 24-24, the visiting Bobcats rattled off a 19-5 run for a 43-29 advantage at halftime. Southeast built a 16-point lead, its biggest of the game, at the outset of the second half. The Raiders responded with a 14-4 run to pull to within seven points, 50-43. The Bobcats answered with a 13-6 spurt to increase their lead to 62-49 at the 10:47 mark. Over the final five and a half minutes, the Raiders got as close as eight points, but each time, the Bobcats had an answer as they punched their ticket to the district title game.

"It's unfortunate that it ended the way it did," said CCC head coach John Ritzdorf. "I don't think we played close to what we are capable of."

Four CCC players scored in double figures with Frank Keller leading the way with 20 points. Aidan Graham scored 13 points while PJ Davis finished with 11 points, all of which were scored in the second half. Ethan Wiley also scored 11 points.

With the loss, the Raiders close out the 2023-24 season with a mark of 17-12.

"It's been a fun year," said Ritzdorf. "It's been very up-and-down, but I've enjoyed this group. I've enjoyed coaching them."