Grit and greatness: TCC shows perseverance in national title run

The Tallahassee Community College women's basketball team treated its week-long stay in Texas as a business trip. The 1,176-mile bus ride home will give the Eagles the opportunity to relax and celebrate their historic achievement.

"It's definitely very surreal. From where we came from earlier this year, it's a blessing," sophomore Nakiah Black said.

"We all have grit and I think we used that and pulled together as a team. It will make for an amazing trip home."

TCC defeated Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College, 69-51, on Saturday evening to win the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship.

It's the Eagles' first women's basketball national championship and the school's first national title in any sport since softball won the NJCAA crown in 1994.

TCC, which earned an at-large berth into the 24-team, single-elimination national tournament in Lubbock, Texas, won five consecutive games in as many days to win the title.

To limit distractions, players surrendered their cell phones to head coach Franqua Bedell upon their arrival. They practiced daily at a local high school and focused on rest and recovery at night.

The Eagles also beat fellow Panhandle Conference rivals Northwest Florida State College and Gulf Coast State College -- the teams combined to play nine times this season -- en route to the championship game against a program that boasted eight national titles.

"We faced a lot of adversity this season so we weren't really nervous about anything," said sophomore Japonica James, who has signed with Troy. "It was just a mind thing. We picked up the energy and did whatever it takes to win."

Tied at 32 at the half, TCC -- relying on aggressive defense and a deep bench -- gradually pulled away and led by as many as 20 points inside the final minute.

The Eagles limited Trinity Valley to 32 percent shooting from the field (20 of 63), out-rebounded it 48-38 and saw their bench contribute 35 points.

Black scored 13 points to lead Tallahassee. Jamyra McChristine had 12 and James 10. All three players were named to the All-Tournament Team.

The Eagles outscored their tourney opponents by an average of 74.8 to 65.

Bedell, in his fifth season at TCC, challenged his team to play with a purpose.

Season-long themes included "Lubbock or Leave it Alone" and "LOVE," which represented Leaving everything on the court, opportunity, value and expecting to win.

"I don't know if I could script it any better," Bedell said Sunday morning.

"It was a beautiful thing to experience and feel. We kept telling our kids to play for more than just yourself. I feel like these young ladies were doing much more than just playing basketball. It worked for us this year.

"What they've done in the five days, it was absolutely amazing to watch them compete and play. ... I couldn't be more proud of a group of young ladies as I am this group."

TCC's journey started a year ago this month in the same venue -- Rip Griffin Center on the campus of Lubbock Christian University.

The Eagles, making their first national tourney appearance since 2001, when they finished third, rallied from a 20-point deficit and led Shelton (Ala.) State Community College by five with 1:06 left in their opening game.

However, TCC squandered its advantage and lost 79-78.

After opening this season 15-0, the Eagles struggled early in Panhandle Conference play. They dropped three of four games and one of their top players was dismissed from the team last month.

TCC also had to win its final three conference games to qualify for the state tournament and waited to hear its name selected for the national tournament.

Yet the players' faith in Bedell's message and in each other never wavered.

"We bought into what coach was saying," Black explained.

"We didn't always do the right thing, but I feel like we did it more often than not. We trusted in each other and coach told us to enjoy the moment. I think every lady who stepped on the floor gave us something."

James, the program's all-time leading scorer, admitted the final few minutes of Saturday's title game were emotional.

When the final buzzer sounded, the team was blanketed in gold confetti. Bedell stood on a ladder and cut down the net, the team posed for a photo with their trophy and enjoyed a late-night meal at a local Applebee's restaurant.

TCC (29-6) finished with a school-record 29 wins, going 10-1 down the stretch. The Eagles are scheduled to arrive home Monday around noon -- they are splitting the 18-hour drive into two days. They have their national title trophy, cell phones and memories that will last a lifetime.

"We were focused on the prize," James said.

"We weren't worried about anything except basketball."