Preview: NJCAA Region 4 Division I Championship

RIVER GROVE, Ill. (Interstat) — The Triton Trojans and Malcolm X Hawks will meet for the third time this season with a championship on the line Saturday in the NJCAA Region 4 Division I men’s junior college basketball title game.

The seed Trojans (16-12) host the seed Hawks (14-10) after the teams split their regular-season series. Triton won decisively, 96-76, at home on Feb. 19, while Malcolm X claimed a 70-59 victory on Dec. 4.

The rubber match carries the highest stakes. Both teams enter on winning streaks, with Triton victorious in four straight and Malcolm X winning its last two.

Triton’s surge is fueled by forward Terez Holmes, who is averaging a double-double during the win streak. He posted 22 points and 10 rebounds in a 91-88 road win over Olive-Harvey on Thursday. Holmes was instrumental in the Feb. 19 win over the Hawks, contributing 8 points and 8 rebounds in just 20 minutes.

Malcolm X counters with guard Joaquin Dixon, who scored 18 points in a 79-58 road victory over Kankakee on Thursday. Dixon’s scoring punch, alongside Karim Lebon-Mohamed (18 points vs. Kankakee), will be critical for the Hawks’ offense.

Triton’s recent wins have been narrow, including two 91-88 decisions, suggesting a potential for a close contest. Malcolm X, meanwhile, has shown both explosive offense, scoring over 100 points twice this season, and vulnerability, as in its 20-point loss to these same Trojans.

The Trojans hold the home-court advantage and a slightly better overall record, but the Hawks have proven they can win in this building. The championship will likely hinge on whether Malcolm X can contain Holmes’ interior dominance and if Triton’s defense can cool a Hawks backcourt that shot efficiently in its latest outing.

Tip-off is set for Saturday, March 7, at Triton College. The winner advances to the NJCAA District tournament.