Magnificent Seven Greatest Games of The Decade for Chipola Men’s Basketball

By Joc Calloway

As Chipola Nation rings in the new year, we take time to look back on the top games from the 2000’s for the Chipola Men’s Basketball Teams.  From the historical #1 Indian Hills vs. #2 Chipola game, to the epic 2006 State Championship Game versus Tallahassee, the Indians have been involved in several great battles this decade.  After reviewing this list, it is no surprise that Basketball Times Magazine voted Chipola as the top JUCO Program of the decade. 

Chipola vs. Tallahassee (96-98 3OT)
2006 State Championship Game
March 11, 2006

In what is probably the greatest game ever played within the confines of the Milton H. Johnson Health Center, nationally-ranked #6 Chipola battled #14 Tallahassee for the opportunity to advance to the 2006 NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, KS. Coming into the game, Chipola held a record of 29-3 with their last loss coming in their final game before the state tournament versus these very Eagles of Tallahassee, 66-67. Therefore the atmosphere was electric inside the Health Center as both teams battled for 40 minutes. During the second half, the two mighty titans exchanged blows with Michael Taylor scoring five three-pointers within a matter of eight possessions and the eagles answering each basket with one of their own.

After 40 minutes, the game was tied at 73-73. After the first overtime, the game was tied 81-81 and after the second extra session, the score was knotted at 88 apiece. However, the third overtime would prove to be the deciding period. In the final 20 seconds, with Chipola leading 96-95, Indian point guard Stefhon Hannah intercepted an eagle pass near half-court and drove to the basket for the lay-up. However, as a T.C.C. defender slid between Hannah and the rim, Hannah dished the ball to nearby teammate Ryan Hamblet as he made contact with the defender. Hamblet would lay the ball up as the official blew his whistle to wave the basket off and, to the astonishment of the sold-out crowd, call an offensive charging foul on Hannah. Tallahassee brought the ball down the floor and contacted on a contested three-pointer by Nigel Johnson with less than three seconds to play. Stefhon Hannah led Chipola with 25 points before fouling out. All five of Chipola’s starters fouled out in the 65-minute marathon.

#2 Chipola vs. #1 Indian Hills (62-61)
Preseason #1 vs. #2
November 3, 2008

The motto used often during the Greg Heiar era at Chipola was simply “Play Anybody, Anywhere, Anytime.” This game stood at the very core of that motto. The Indians would start the season playing nine of their first ten games on the road and when the opportunity to pit preseason #1 vs. #2, the Indians relished the chance to prove their dominance in JUCO basketball. Before the game, a fan was seen walking around the arena at Indian Hills with a shirt that said “This Could Be a Big One.” Oh, how true that statement was. Chipola was coming off a defeat at historical powerhouse Three Rivers C.C. and with less than 48 hours to prepare, they stepped into a packed house in Ottumwa, IA with the #1 ranking on the line.

A constant battle back and forth during the first half gave Chipola a 35-30 favor going into the intermission. During the second half, Indian Hills slowly pulled back but were still down eight with five minutes to go in the game. The game tighten as IHCC made a pair of free throws, converted a three-point play, and scored another basket with just under a minute to go to tie the game at 60. After a missed shot, Casey Mitchell retrieved the offensive rebound and scored to give Chipola the 62-60 lead. But Indian Hills was fouled with less than 20 seconds left and converted one of two free throws to trim the lead to 62-61. Chipola’s Jeremy Jacob was then fouled with seven seconds left and missed the front end of a one-and-one. The Warriors of Indian Hills raced the ball up the floor and shot a contested 3-pointer that was offensively rebounded and scored. However, the buzzer had already sounded and the officials waved the basket off. Chipola escaped with a 62-61 victory and the number #1 ranking in the country.

Chipola vs. Okaloosa-Walton (71-59)
2004 State Championship Game
March 6, 2004

If there was any question as to the changing of the tide within the Panhandle Conference and Region VIII, this game held all the answers. Chipola headed into the regional championship game against bitter rival Okaloosa-Walton in hopes of claiming their first regional title since 1988. Chipola Head Coach Chris Jans’ Indians, who had dominated the Raiders from Niceville in their previous three meetings, vowed not to lose this critical game on their home floor. By halftime, the outcome was all but decided with Chipola leading 42-23. However, the Raiders became red hot while the Indians suddenly grew cold in the second half. When the Chipola lead dwindled to only 13 points, Coach Jans rallied his team during a timeout and stressed the importance of finishing the task at hand. But the night would belong to the Indians as Chipola captured their first State Championship since 1988 by a final score of 71-59. This would begin a streak of 5 State Championships over the next 6 years.

Chipola vs. College of Southern Idaho (96-90)
2007 NJCAA Final Four
March 22, 2007

For fans and enthusiasts, this was the dream match-up for the NJCAA National Champion. However, because the national tournament is not seeded, very rarely do the nation’s top two teams advance to the finals. Therefore, this game occurred during the semi-final game and will live on forever in the grand allures of tournament history.

With over a dozen D-1 players on the floor between both teams, athleticism and pure talent were on display as long-range three pointers rained from the sky and thunderous dunks echoed through the building. Chipola lead by 8 after the first 20 minutes before scoring on their first six possessions of the second half and increasing the lead to 16 points with 17:22 to go. But the Indians knew the lead was anything but safe.

C.S.I. then went on a 18-4 run that slashed the Indians’ lead to two. Both teams looked for a knockout blow in the middle of the half. Chipola threw an alley-oop to Johnnie Harris and C.S.I. answered with a 3-point play from Juan Pattillo. Chipola beat the 35-second clock with a layup before C.S.I. drained another 3-pointer. Down 90-88, Southern Idaho had a chance to tie in the final minute as their post player pivot through traffic and his off-balance jumper clanged off the rim. C.S.I. fouled with 24 seconds left and Ed Berrios made the fist and missed the second, but thanks to Ellis’s tip, grabbed the rebound, and was fouled again. After another made basket by C.S.I., Chipola was fouled and made all their free throws down the stretch to win 96-90.

Chipola vs. Okaloosa-Walton (68-48)
Major Victory Sets Stage for Magical Run
February 8, 2005

Upon losing to conference rival Okaloosa-Walton in their first meeting, the Indians and Coach Greg Heiar knew that they must win this game at home to continue their drive for a second consecutive Panhandle Conference Championship. Chipola trounced O.W. 68-48, in front of the season’s first sell-out of the Milton H. Johnson Health Center. With combination of four Indians scoring in double figures and forcing 25 turnovers, Chipola improved to 6-1 in conference play and would retain the conference title. The Indians would string together 10 straight victories on their way to the NJCAA Final Four.

Chipola vs. Okaloosa-Walton (90-81)
Former Coach Milton H. Johnson is Honored
February 16, 2008

In a game that was advertised as a celebration of the rich basketball history of Chipola College and Milton H. Johnson, the Indians bounced back from a 35-34 halftime deficit to put themselves in the driver’s seat for their fifth consecutive Panhandle Conference crown. Coach Milton H. Johnson was surrounded by over 100 former players during halftime as a special presentation was made on his behalf. At the conclusion of his speech, Coach Johnson brought the crowd to their feet with a simple statement that would set the tone for the second half: “Now if you’ll excuse me, me and my boys are going to go back to our seats and help Chipola win this game!” And indeed they did. Chipola went on a four-minute tear that included connecting on three-pointers on five of six possessions. Mario Little, Kansas signee, had a team high 23 points; while Gary Flowers added 15 points. A total of 5 Indians scored at least 9 points on the night as Chipola captured the 90-81 victory over the Raiders.

Chipola vs. South Georgia Tech (50-57)
Indians Lose, But Set Tone For Future

November 6, 2003

In only his second game at Chipola, Coach Chris Jans hosted the Jets of South Georgia Tech in what would turn into a tremendous defensive battle. Although the Indians would be defeated 50-57, this game set the tone for the upcoming season and sent a loud message to Chipola Nation that a new style of leadership was in town. Chipola’s star player, Je’kel Foster was held to his season-low as he scored only 4 points on the night while going 1 for 12 from the field, including 0 for 6 from 3 point land. Although Chipola was not successful, fans were witnessed to Jans’ new style of play as the Indians took twelve charges during the game. After the game, the Indians would continue to use Jans’ defensively-minded system as they finished 32-5 on the season. The five losses on the season were by an average of fewer than eight points per game. The Indians would capture the Panhandle Conference Championship, first time since 1998, and the school’s first Region VIII Championship since 1988.