For an 11th time in school history, the Cardinals and Lady Cardinals are headed to the NJCAA national basketball tournaments in the same season.
The Cardinals won their way into the men's tournament March 24-30 in Hutchinson, Kan., rolling past Lee College for an 87-72 win in the championship game of the Region XIV tournament Saturday night in Tyler. It marked the Cardinals' second straight year to win the tournament.
The Lady Cardinals suffered an 84-70 loss to Blinn in the women's title game, but received an at-large berth in the national tournament March 26-April 1 in Casper, Wyo.
The Cardinals drew a No. 10 seed at the national tournament and will take their 26-7 record into an opening round match against No. 23 Georgia Highlands (19-14). The game is scheduled Sunday, March 24 at 5 p.m. at Hutchinson Sports Arena.
The Lady Cardinals (25-6) received a No. 9 seed and are scheduled to go against No. 24 Monroe (19-10) at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 26 at Ford Wyoming Center.
The Cardinals will be making their 11th appearance at the national tournament and eighth in the past 12 years.
The Cardinals will be making their 17th straight appearance at the national tournament and 29th overall.
On their way to the title game against Lee, Cardinals defeated Angelina, 64-51, and Panola, 72-70.
The Lady Cardinals posted wins against Paris, 83-61, and Kilgore, 71-58, before falling to Blinn.
