Next stop: Marianna

It all began Feb. 22 when the CFCC men's basketball team played against St. John's River Community College.

Josh Proctor, CFCC men’s basketball player scored the first basket of the night, which some might say foreshadowed the successful outcome of the game for the Patriots.

The Patriots led by seven points at half time, but did not let the break slow down their momentum.

The final score of the game was 80-70, meaning the Patriots would advance to the next level in hopes of reaching the state tournament.

The following evening of Feb. 23, the Patriots faced Santa Fe College for a position in the state tournament.

CFCC men’s basketball head coach, Tim Ryan said before the game that Santa Fe had a lot of good shooters and CF just had to make sure they did not let those players get a chance to go off.

The game stayed relatively close in points, ending the first half with a Patriot lead of five points.

Possession of the basketball went back and forth in the second half as the crowd began to get louder and louder with every second drawing closer to the end of the game.

Many fouls and time-outs consumed the last couple minutes on the court, but the Patriots kept strong and won the game with a close score of 70-67.

“It was a super close game,” said Jeffery Neal II, player on the CFCC men’s basketball team. “The tournament will be fun and if we play like we know how to play we should come out with good results.”

Not only did the team show their excitement after the win, but the fans joined them on the court to celebrate.

“This was the most excitement after a game knowing we were going to the state tournament I have ever seen since I have been here in 2006,” said Marjorie McGee, director of student life.

The next stop is in Marianna on March 3 against Northwest Florida State.

“We are going to take a couple days off to regroup and then practice hard from Friday to Tuesday,” Ryan said. “We will watch some game film and adjust in order to be ready for what is next.”