Seeing the Coahoma Community College women’s basketball team go from the bottom of the league to NJCAA Region 23 runner-up was not the first time I witnessed a JUCO program surprise many with its success.
When I was living in McComb and covering Southwest Mississippi Community College in 2015-16, the men’s basketball team went from barely making the postseason to winning a state championship in a matter of two weeks.
The Bears were not toward the bottom the way the Lady Tigers were before their stellar 2020-21 season, but they were mediocre. Looking from the outside, it did not appear they had any chance at a championship. It was a surprise.
It is hard for JUCO teams to turn programs around, but once they have the right players and coaches in place, things will change in a hurry.
Two year test
JUCO players only have two years of eligibility. That means coaches do not have an opportunity to build a team for a few years and show others what they can do.
Junior colleges must win immediately. If they consistently lose and do not turn things around, it is tough to build a strong recruiting base.
The other side of things is no junior college team has a great deal of experience.
An experienced team at the junior college level means having a bunch of sophomores on the roster. That levels the playing field for schools trying to turn losing programs around and start winning.
With that level playing field, a team like the CCC women can be successful overnight.
The good news is, once you break the cycle and win more often, better recruits will want to play for your athletic program.
I saw that with the Bears after they won the state championship.
I have no doubt the Lady Tigers will see the same results the next few years.
Head coach Stephanie Murphy and assistant coach Isaiah Butler have done an excellent job. It took them only three seasons to turn things around.
They lost NJCAA Region 23 championship to the No. 1 team in the nation Jones County Junior College.
