Middle Georgia Technical College

MGTC Titans Win TCSGAA State Championship in Overtime

Warner Robins - In only their third season, the Middle Georgia Technical College (MGTC) Titans have earned the title of Technical College System of Georgia Athletic Association(TCSGAA) Tournament Champions. The Titans finished as regular season and champions and won the conference championship game by defeating the Golden Knights of West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) this past Saturday.

"I am so proud of our young men," said Titans Head Coach Bobby Brown. "We went through so much this year and to finish it like this is a dream come true. It was truly a battle all the way to the end and our young men demonstrated all the lessons learned this season."

The Titans traveled to Chattanooga, TN for the tournament March 4 and 5. Going in as the number one seed, the Titans faced the Tigers from Southern Crescent Technical College in Griffin. The Titans won by a score of 85-58. The West Georgia Golden Knights, the number two seed in the tournament, advanced to the championship round by defeating the Georgia Northwestern Technical College Bobcats. This set up the match-up between the Titans and the Golden Knights.

The Titans faced the Knights twice in the regular season defeating them both times. At the last match up between the two teams, the Knights came from behind to tie the game and nearly won before the Titans came back for a seven-point victory.

In the championship game, the Knights were on a mission to gain at least one victory this season against the Titans. WGTC jumped out to an early lead in the contest, which prompted a rally from the Titans. However, the Titans were unable to catch up in the first half. Titans guard Keith Graves stepped up and knocked down some key three-pointers to keep the game close.

The Knights continued to command the lead, and at the half were up by nine points. In the second half, the Titans began to employ their trademark pressure defense in order to get the game under control. However, the Knights were prepared and broke the Titans' defensive pressure with ease and built their lead to 14 points.

As the second half progressed, MGTC's Allen Whitehead would ignite the Titans on a 9 -0 run. After a two point error by the scorer's table in WGTC's favor, the Titans continued to press on, but Knights continued to hold a ten point lead.

Finally, the Titans got the break they needed in the game. MGTC went back to their pressure-style defense and were able to get several turnovers and turn them into easy baskets. With 7 minutes left in regulation, the Titans pulled them game within 4 points. After WGTC pulled their lead back to 10 points, the Titans made their final run into the history books.

With 5 minutes remaining in regulation, MGTC's JJ Keyhea scored on two straight possessions and DC Feemster added another three-point basket, pulling the Titans within 5 pts with over a minute in a half remaining. Keyhea hit a layup as he was fouled by WGTC's Byron Williams. Keyhea made the free throw to bring the game within three points.

Demario McMath of the Knights got behind the Titans' defense on his way to a fast break layup but he missed with 24 seconds remaining. After driving down the court, MGTC's Brandyn Little hit the biggest shot of his life a three point basket to send the game into overtime. At the end of regulation, the score was tied at 86.

During overtime, the Titans took the lead for the first time in the game, going up on the Knights 88 to 86. With less than a minute remaining in the overtime period, the Knights' Codi Linton dropped a long jump shot to put the Knights back up by five. MGTC's Kevis Jackson grabbed another offensive rebound and, as he was fouled, tossed up a shot which fell in for two points. Jackson sank the free throw, bringing the game to a two point difference.

MGTC's Calyn Sanders forced a steal and got the ball to Keyhea who scored on a layup to tie the game again. With 6.9 seconds remaining, the Knights' Martavious Pittman was fouled by Brandyn Little. Pittman sank the first free throw putting the Knights up by one point. On the following free throw, Pittman missed and the Titans' Keith Graves got the rebound and called timeout. After a foul on Keyhea, he sank hit both free-throw shots with 1.6 seconds left, putting the Titans on top by one point.

MGTC's young team went down in the history books as champions, after finishing as conference runner-up last season. Keyhea finished the game with 30 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. Feemster finished with 17 points and nine assists. Keith Graves had 11 points shooting 50 percent from the three point line and Little finished with 11 points and seven rebounds. Whitehead and Kevis Jackson each finished with nine points. Jackson also led the Titans with eight rebounds and two blocked shots. Other contributors were Jeremy Bradshaw with an assist; Markeas Carter had two steals and two points, along with 3 rebounds. Miran Murphy had 3 points and one assist. Calyn Sanders had two points and one rebound and one steal. Rashaad Williams had two steals.

"I was worried early in the game because the Knights came out on a mission," said Coach Brown, after being recognized as Conference Champions. "It seemed like nothing we put in place was working but we managed to turn things around. We stress Work Ethics within our program and from day one I have preached about Teamwork, Respect, Cooperation, Communication, Attitude, and Character and those things were shown tonight."

"Last year we made it to the Championship game only to lose to Chattahoochee Tech in the finals. This year we finished atop the rest and accomplished our goal. I am truly proud of these guys and I am so happy for Middle Georgia Tech. We are Champions!"

The MGTC Titans Championship team will have a celebratory meet-the-team event at Zaxby's on Highway 96 from noon to 1 pm this Saturday, March 12. Will Conner, Zaxby's franchisee is a proud supporter of the Titans Booster Club and will host the team for the event. Stop by and meet the team!

For more information on the club sports programs at Middle Georgia Technical College, contact Bruce Foster, MGTC director of Student Support Services at (478) 988-6800.

Photo: The MGTC Titans: 2010-2011 regular season and TCSGAA Conference champions.