Trinidad State Trojans Claim Fifth Region IX Title, Advance to NJCAA Tournament

Nine wins across their final 12 games powered Trinidad State's Trojans to a fifth Region IX championship on March 26, earning a berth in the NJCAA national tournament and capping the most focused stretch of basketball the program has put together in recent memory.

The run through the regional bracket, held at sites including Sterling, leaned heavily on a rotation of Kenny Black-Knox, Demorae Pritchett, Naz Reaves, Manning Shareef, Sean Spencer, Woul Chalk, Logan Montgomery and Mason Willyard. What defined the Trojans in the bracket was their comeback style: absorbing adversity and pulling away late rather than overwhelming opponents early.

Coaching staff identified mental steadiness as the program's edge heading into nationals. The approach centers on replicating what worked regionally, with staff emphasizing the need to play hard and manage the emotional roller coasters that come with tournament basketball.

For Trinidad, where college athletics are woven tightly into the city's identity, a fifth regional title carries implications beyond the box score. Student-athletes now positioned on the national tournament stage can draw scholarship attention and interest from four-year programs, and that pipeline runs directly through a community that has invested in this roster.

The NJCAA tournament bracket, schedule and travel details will be released by NJCAA organizers. Fans can track opponents, dates and ticketing through Trinidad State's athletics website as the draw comes together.

Five Region IX titles. Nine wins in the last 12. Now a national stage waiting in April.