Men’s, Women’s Basketball Make Groundbreaking Appearances at 2023 Nationals
Men reach Nationals under new leadership
The Toccoa Falls College (TFC) men's basketball team earned their spot in the 2023 NCCAA Division II National Championship last month after having a winning record of 14 wins and 10 losses. The team finished in the No. 8 seed of the competition, which was held at Ozark Christian College (OCC) in Joplin, Mo., from March 8-11, 2023.
The Screaming Eagles (M) celebrate NCCAA DII South Region Championship victory after defeating TBC 71-66.
Although the team didn’t make it far in the national competition, junior guard Anthony Williams II brought home three player titles: Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-American, and National Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season.
Many are also looking at coaches Dwayne Felder III, Javon Summers, and Joshua Wiley, who made their TFC debuts this season and led the men’s basketball team to the national tournament in their first coaching year.
After dominating the regional conference 9-2 and winning the NCCAA South Region championship title, the Screaming Eagles faced No. 1 seed Kansas Christian College 94-81, eliminating TFC from the bracket. Sophomore guard Josh Parker led the team with 24 points and tied freshman guard Chris Chamberlain with three assists. Junior forward Tyriq Perry also dominated the glass with 19 rebounds.
To determine the final seeding despite facing elimination, the Screaming Eagles defeated No. 4 Champion Christian College (CCC) 101-98. Williams scored 37 points during the game, and Parker had 10 assists. Senior forward Ryan Mckenzie had the most rebounds among TFC and CCC players.
The Screaming Eagles finished the season with a 97-77 loss against No. 6 OCC. The stat leaders for TFC in the final game were Williams with 18 points, freshman guard Mekhi McKinney with 4 assists, and Perry with 10 rebounds.
Although TFC had a great season under new leadership, Ryan McKenzie was one name that stirred up questions this season. Despite being a senior, he only had five starts, leading some to question the new coaches’ tactics.
“He's led us extremely well. He's never had bad body language. He's the loudest person on the bench. He gives 110% at practice all the time, so it had nothing to do with just Ryan,” Coach Felder said. “It was just more everything being brand new and him just having to learn something new.”
Coach Summers also spoke highly of Mckenzie as a player and person.
“Ryan was our key to leading us to this championship and win,” Coach Summers said. “Sometimes numbers aren't called, but he never showed bad body language. He was the best captain we ever coached, and if I were a teammate, [as] far as playing, he would have been the best captain I played for. So, Ryan was a huge piece to our success this year.”
As the coaching staff prepares for next season, they will look to McKinney and freshman guard Robert Russell to lead the team in the future.
“Those are two of our really good freshmen. You've seen a little bit of Mekhi this year. You did not see that much of Robert, but we're excited about those two,” Coach Felder said. “[They] are everything you want as a Toccoa Falls basketball player, on and off the court. They exemplify our program well. They represent us well, and we're just excited for their development over this next year.”
After making a national championship appearance, the men’s basketball team has the national trophy on their minds for the 2023-2024 season. The coaches also look forward to a comeback at the national tournament, saying they will have much of the same team to lead the way.
“We got there this year. We’re not losing anybody, even Ryan, who was a senior. He's going to return as a grad student, so we'll have him back as well…,” Coach Felder said. “For us, it's ‘National Championship or Bust’ for sure.”
The team is confident they can achieve another Nationals run, especially after bringing home multiple conference awards besides Williams’. Coach Felder was named NCCAA DII South Region Coach of the Year, Parker and Perry earned Second Team All-Region, and Chamberlain and forward Zack Cepress earned All Freshman Team.
Women touch Nationals court for first time in nearly 30 years
TFC’s women’s basketball team made an appearance at the NCCAA Division II National Championship last month for the first time in nearly thirty years. The team traveled to Joplin, Mo., where the women’s tournament was hosted by Ozark Christian College from March 9-11, 2023.
The Screaming Eagles (W) celebrate Howard’s 1000 career point victory after defeating TBC 63-58 in NCCAA DII South Region semifinal.
After a tough competition, TFC finished in the No. 7 seed. Junior point guard Jaliyah Howard and Head Coach Micah Ryals were also honored with several player and coach titles.
Competing in the national championship was an accomplishment in and of itself for TFC’s women’s basketball team who had not been to the national tournament since 1995.
“It was important for the team to be able to make success and create their own legacy,” Coach Ryals said.
TFC’s women’s basketball team was the No. 1 overall seed heading into the regional tournament. After beating Trinity Baptist College in the semifinals, the team faced Pensacola Christian College in the championship. Despite leading the majority of the game, and having previously beaten this team by 15 points, they lost 57-49.
The Screaming Eagles held the No. 7 seed of eight teams at the national tournament. Their first game was against No. 2 Arlington Baptist University, who had previously won five national titles from 2014-2019. TFC lost the first game to ABU by 20 points.
“It was tough seeing the level of play,” Coach Ryals said.
In the second game of the tournament, TFC faced the host school and No. 3 seed, Ozark Christian College. After an intense and very close game, the Screaming Eagles lost by only two points.
“It wasn’t the placing we wanted, but it was a great experience together as a team,” said sophomore guard Emma Berry.
In addition to making the national tournament, Howard was named First Team All-American and achieved 1000 career points.
“I took the goal I had, and I was able to achieve it in two years,” she said. “Coach Ryals allowed me to be who I am and pushed me to achieve my goals.”
Coach Ryals also received recognition during the competition. He was named Regional Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year.
“My awards are because of them,” he said “It’s always about the players.”
The team showed support and encouragement for their coach and explained this was the first team Ryals coached that was built entirely by him. As a result, they were able to accomplish their goals.
“He’s grown and learned with us, and he’s willing to learn more,” Berry said. “He connects with us on and off the court.”
TFC’s women’s basketball team blew people away with an incredible 2022-2023 season. Their overall record was 20 wins and seven losses, with an impressive nine out of 11 conference wins. They also held two 8-game win streaks.
“We beat Bob Jones University twice and beat Pensacola Christian College in one week!” Howard said.
The team also beat long-time rival Trinity Baptist College by 20 points in the regular season.
Although they did not walk away with the national title, the Screaming Eagles had an impressive season and held their own against difficult regional and national competition. They are looking forward to returning to the national level next season.
“We know how to conquer it now. We’re ready to actually do it,” Howard said.
Besides Howard’s and Ryals’ regional and national accomplishments, the team brought home multiple conference awards which motivate them as they prepare for next season. Forward Kenya Robinson was named First Team All-Region, Freshman of the Year, and All Freshman Team. Junior guard Sarah Holland earned Second Team All-Region, and guard Jyesha Butts earned All Freshman Team.