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By Pricilia Mugwa

The Pima Community College men’s and women’s basketball teams wrapped up remarkable seasons with strong performances at the NJCAA Division II National Tournament. The men’s team secured third place, while the women’s team fought hard but fell short in the championship game.

Men’s Basketball

Aztecs Men’s Basketball Claims Third Place the No. 1 Seeded Pima men’s basketball team capped off their historic season with a 103-88 victory over No. 7 Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The win marked their 16th triple-digit scoring game and cemented their position as the highest-scoring team in NJCAA Division II, averaging 99.5 points per game.

Head coach Brian Peabody praised his team’s resilience, bouncing back from a tough loss the previous day to finish the season strong. The Aztecs (35-1) set a program record with 35 wins, including a 34-game winning streak.

Key performances included Kota Benson’s 22 points, Cohenj Gonzales’ 20 points and eight assists, and double doubles from Wes Ball and Oldham, who dominated the boards.

Women’s Basketball

Aztecs Women’s Basketball Finishes as National Runner-Up the No. 6 Seeded Pima women’s basketball team battled hard but fell to No. 4 Johnson County Community College 75-67 in the NJCAA Division II National Championship game. The closely contested matchup featured 11 ties and 16 lead changes, but Johnson County pulled away in the fourth quarter.

Despite the loss, the Aztecs (29-6) matched a program-best record under coach Todd Holthaus. Amelie Buffil-Gutierrez led the scoring with 18 points, while Melicia Nelson contributed eight points, 14 rebounds, and five assists. Coach Holthaus acknowledged the team’s effort, emphasizing their ability to compete at the highest level.

Pima’s men’s and women’s basketball teams both showcased their talent on the national stage, solidifying their status among the NJCAA’s elite programs.

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