Meramec wins seventh place in the NJCAA TournamentBy: Spencer Gleason
– Sports Editor-
Normally when the Magic and Lakers play a basketball game, the cities Orlando and Los Angeles come to mind. Although the STLCC-Meramec Magic did beat the Lakers, it was not those Lakers. It was the Lakers from Lakeland Community College and the Region 12 Champions from Kirtland, Ohio.
The 56-54 victory caps off a ‘magical’ season by Meramec and one for the Meramec athletic record books.
Since the announcement of all sports throughout STLCC being combined and the loss of both men’s and women’s basketball programs at Meramec next season, in their final season playing under the Magic name and representing Meramec, the men’s basketball team won seventh place in the NJCAA Division II Tournament.
The tournament began with 16 teams and after the first game loss to Phoenix College in overtime, 74-66; the Magic entered the consolation bracket, en route to their seventh place finish.
The 2010-2011 season for the men’s Magic basketball team has been highlighted by many accomplishments, including head coach Randy Albrecht’s 700th career victory and becoming the first division II team to win the conference since they did it in 1991.
Between the two basketball programs at Meramec, the men’s and women’s teams have a combined 23 Conference Championships and 15 Region XVI Championships.
After Saturday’s afternoon win against Lakeland, on the biggest stage for junior college basketball, the Magic rose to the occasion; giving the programs now a combined eight NJCAA top ten place finishes.
The basketball Magic went out on top—they won.
