VPCC Basketball 11th in National Poll

The Virginia Peninsula Community College men's basketball team moved up three spots to No.11 in the NJCAA Division III poll released Tuesday, Feb. 17.

"It's a testament to the hard work our players and coaches are putting in," said coach Chris Moore. "We had a good week but are looking to bring home a championship at this week's Region 10 tournament."

The Gators (19-6 overall) went 3-0 last week, earning the Region 10 regular-season title with an 8-1 record. They are the top seed in the postseason tournament at Sandhills Community College in North Carolina. They play Saturday at 1 p.m. against the No.4 or No.5 seed. The championship game is Sunday at 1 p.m., with the winner advancing to the district tournament Feb. 27-28 in Pennsylvania.

The Gators, who are in their third season in the NJCAA, are ranked for the second consecutive week and third time in five weeks. On Jan. 20, they were among teams receiving votes before dropping out for two weeks. They returned last week at No.14. The polls ranked 15 teams and listed four others as "receiving votes."

Dallas College Richland is No.1 in the country. Northern Essex (Mass.), who rallied to beat VPCC in November, is fourth. Monroe University of the Bronx and Sandhills Community College (N.C.), both of whom have lost to the Gators this year, were listed under "receiving votes."

For more information on VPCC athletics, visit www.vpccgators.com. For more information on VPCC, visit www.vpcc.edu.