Johnson Royals win NCCAA DII Men’s Basketball Championship; Jones Wins JU’s Third Pete Maravich Award in Five Years

 
On Saturday, March 13, the Johnson University’s men’s basketball team clinched the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) DII national championship, beating Arlington Baptist University 95-74 during the tournament held at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri.

“Our guys worked so hard this year,” said coach Brandon Perry. “This has been a tough season with the pandemic and all that is going on in our world right now. There was so much uncertainty with our game schedule and practice times and our guys endured it and just kept finding a way to overcome. We knew we had something special with this group but you still have to go out and perform. The guys did that. I can’t be more proud of them and all the players who came before them and paved a way for us.”

The Royals were dominant in the championship game. Coby Jones led the Royals with 30 points and Miles Long added 22, while the Royals’ defense held a high-powered Arlington Baptist offense in check by forcing 21 turnovers in the contest.

In the National Semifinal game, the Royals defeated Kansas Christian College 92-67. Defense was the name of the game in the matchup, as the Royals held Kansas Christian to 9.5% shooting from deep and forced 18 turnovers. Johnson was well-balanced offensively as five Royals scored in double figures and 17 of Johnson’s 32 made shots were assisted.

The Royals survived a scare in the National Quarterfinals, hanging on to a 97-92 double overtime win over Manhattan Christian College. Johnson led for over 37 minutes of the contest and stretched the lead to 13 in regulation, but the Thunder would not go away. The Royals had a game-winning jumper rim out in regulation, and Jordan White of Manhattan Christian hit a 75-foot desperation heave in overtime to force a second extra period. Finally, in double overtime, Johnson took charge and pulled away for the win. Coby Jones had 38 in the win while Gavin Grubb and Orion Mashburn added 22 and 18 respectively.

In addition to the National Championship, the Royals also received recognition for several individual awards. Khari Person was named the Mideast Region Freshman of the Year, while Miles Long was named Mideast Newcomer of the Year. Gavin Grubb was given Mideast Honorable Mention while Miles Long was named 2nd Team All-Mideast Region and Coby Jones was named Co-Player of the Year and was 1st Team NCCAA All-American. Coach Brandon Perry was named Mideast Region Coach of the Year for the third time in his sixth year as the Royals head coach.

Coby Jones, who was also named the tournament’s most outstanding player, was also named the 2021 NCCAA Pete Maravich Award winner, the highest honor given by the association. According to the NCCAA, the award “highlights excellence in competition, skill, academics, and Christian service” and is named for “Pistol Pete” Maravich, an NBA All-Star who was named one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players.

Jones led the team as captain the last two years and is the third all-time leading scorer in JU men’s basketball. He’ll graduate this May with a degree in sport and fitness leadership.

“Coby has been an excellent ambassador for Christ, Johnson University, and the NCCAA during his collegiate career,” said Coach Perry. “He has consistently been one of the best NCCAA DII men’s basketball players while finding the time to volunteer at local nonprofits, achieve academic success, and prepare himself for his future.”

Jones is the third Pete Maravich Award winner from Johnson University in the last five years. In 2019, Taylor Gilpin won the award and in 2017 Gunner St. John was the winner.

“This is a great individual award, but it’s also a reflection of our entire team and the brotherhood we’ve built over the years,” Perry says. “I’m proud of every player who’s put on a JU uniform. We have something special here.”

(Photo credit Joplin Sports Authority and NCCAA)