STATE CHAMPIONS!!!

Chipola Defeats FSW 68–53 in Region 8 Quarterfinals

Niceville, Fla. — Chipola opened the Region 8 Tournament with a 68–53 win over Florida SouthWestern at Raider Arena.

The Indians took control early, building a 35–24 halftime lead and maintaining separation throughout the second half. Chipola shot 42.4 percent from the field and limited Florida SouthWestern to just 27.4 percent shooting in the game.

Desmond Kent Jr. led Chipola with 14 points and seven rebounds. Bryson Berry added 13 points, including three three-pointers, while Peyton Wiggins finished with 11 points. Hedrens Bartelus recorded nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

Chipola controlled the paint with a 42–24 advantage and also held an 18–2 edge in fast break points.

With the win, Chipola advances to the Region 8 Tournament semifinals and will face Northwest Florida State College on Friday at 3 p.m. at Raider Arena.

Chipola Defeats NWF 66-63 in Region 8 Semifinals

In a hard-fought Region 8 Tournament semifinal in Niceville, FL, the Chipola Indians men's basketball secured a 66–63 win over Northwest Florida State at Raider Arena, earning a spot in the championship game. The Indians took a 34–29 lead into halftime and held off a late push from Northwest Florida in the second half to advance.

Chipola relied on a balanced scoring attack, led by Hedrens Bartelus and Desmond Kent Jr., who each finished with 11 points, while Aaron Richard added 10 and contributed key plays inside. The Indians dominated the boards, outrebounding Northwest Florida 44–34, including 19 offensive rebounds that created crucial second-chance opportunities.

Northwest Florida countered with DJ Shine's game-high 17 points and Justin Burns' double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds, but struggled from deep, hitting just 15% of their three-point attempts. Chipola's free-throw shooting (17-of-23) and ability to control the pace in key moments ultimately made the difference in the tight contest.

With the victory, the Chipola Indians will face Daytona State men's basketball in the Region 8 Championship at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 14, looking to cap off a strong tournament run with the title.

Chipola Defeats Daytona State 76-69 in Region 8 Finals 

The Chipola College Indians captured the Region 8 Championship last Saturday with an impressive 76–69 victory over Daytona State College at Raider Arena. The win capped a strong postseason surge for the Indians, who combined balance, defense, and grit to overcome the nationally ranked Falcons in a wire-to-wire battle.

Led by sophomore forward Hedrens Bartelus, who poured in 20 points and 10 rebounds, Chipola's frontcourt established control early and never relinquished it. Bartelus's efficient 8-for-16 shooting and interior presence set the tone for a Chipola squad that dominated the glass, outrebounding Daytona 53–38 overall — including an overwhelming 18 offensive boards that fueled 23 second-chance points.

Sophomore guard Peyton Wiggins delivered a determined performance in the backcourt, scoring 19 points along with 4 assists, while Demarco Middleton provided critical support off the bench with 11 points and 6 assists, sparking the offense whenever Daytona threatened a run. Bryson Berry chipped in 7 points and 4 assists, and Desmond Kent Jr. anchored the paint defensively with 8 rebounds and a block.

Chipola executed with poise from deep, shooting 54.5% (6-for-11) from beyond the arc and 77.8% from the free throw line, providing efficient scoring to complement its relentless rebounding and defensive intensity.

With the win, the Chipola Indians secured the Region 8 crown and punched their ticket to the NJCAA National Tournament, continuing the program's long tradition of excellence. Their gritty championship performance once again demonstrated why Chipola remains one of the premier junior college basketball powers in the nation.