LCC hoops set for national tourney, individuals earn honors

James L. Edwards III, Lansing State Journal

A little over a week removed from its second District 9 title in as many years, the Lansing Community College men's basketball team is set to make national noise.

The Stars (28-4) will open the NJCAA Division II national tournament Tuesday against Dakota County Technical College (20-10) in Danville, Illinois.

LCC, which is a No. 2 seed, ended its regular season as the No. 4-ranked team in the country. The Stars lost the state championship to Schoolcraft, 89-79, before rattling off two straight wins on their way to the District 9 title.

"After we lost that game (Schoolcraft), I told my coaches and team that if there is any team that can string a couple of victories together, it's us," LCC coach Mike Ingram said. "I like us in a small tournament. The schedule we had, how many games we played - I think we played nine games in 15 or 16 days.

"I told the guys I did that on purpose so that when we got into a Friday-Saturday situation we would be ready to do it. I feel confident we can play back-to-back games."

In addition, Ingram, along with a handful of his players, will bring individual accolades with them to Illinois.

The 26-year head coach was recently named the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Western Conference coach of the year - for the 19th time - as well as the District 9 coach of the year for the second straight season.

LCC's leading scorer, Javon Haines, an East Lansing native, was crowned the MCCAA Western Conference player of the year and the District 9 most valuable player. The guard also was named to the MCCAA Western Conference first team, the NJCAA Region XII 1st Team, the all-MCCAA team, and the MCCAA Western Conference all-defensive team.

Williamston High alum Jimmy Kodet was placed on the MCCAA Western Conference first team, the NJCAA Region XII first team, and the all-MCCAA team.

Brian Morton, a graduate of Eastern High School, was named MCCAA Western Conference honorable mention.

Southfield's Isaiah Green earned several honors, the most notable being the MCCAA Western Conference defensive player of the year. Grand Rapids' Curtis Davison also was named MCCAA Western Conference honorable mention.

"There's some teams where a lot of that stuff, a lot of people, become envious (of the awards)," said Haines, who was the country's second leading scorer (24.9 points per game). "We don't have that problem, and without having that problem and seeing everybody else get accolades, too, that helps.

"It means a lot to me because I care about my brothers and where they end up and the goals they have for themselves."