Columbia State CC (TN) First to Punch National Tourney Ticket
(Columbia, TN) – Hosting the Appalachian District Championship (formerly District 7) as the #1 seed, possibly put more pressure on the Chargers than they ever imagined. After a staggering stumble out of the gate, Columbia State was on the verge of getting blown out at home, in the biggest game of the year to date.
Meanwhile, Jackson State, took advantage of CSCC’s ineffectiveness and climbed to an 18 point lead at the break. The Green Jays were twenty minutes away from claiming their first ever District Championship and subsequent first trip to the Salt City (Hutchinson, KS) for the National Tournament. Jackson State had split the two regular season games with the Chargers, each winning on the other teams home floor. So, at this point in the proceedings, The Green Jays had to feel pretty good.
But just as bad as things were for the hosts in the first half, the 360 degree turnaround after their spirited intermission chat with their coaches, allowed Columbia State to erase the 18 point halftime deficit, and the game was a stalemate at 67 after 40 minutes. It was going to take extra minutes to decide a winner and the Chargers were up to the task. Outscoring Jackson State 14-6 in the five minute overtime, Columbia State, takes the District Title and with it comes an automatic bid to the NJCAA National Tournament at Hutchinson, KS March 16-21.
The Chargers, with a record of 22 and 10, will be making their 7th appearance at the Sports Arena, their fourth since 2012. Columbia State last represented this District at Hutch in 2015. Jackson State’s bid for their first trip to Nationals came up short, but put a big scare into the Chargers faithful in a true road game. The Green Jays (the only team mascot with that moniker that I’m aware of) finish their season at 21 wins against 5 losses.
