Columbia, MD – For the first time since 2013 and just the second time in program history, the Howard Community College men's basketball team is headed to the NJCAA National Tournament thanks to a 104-85 win over CCBC Dundalk in the regional championship.
 
Dundalk took the early lead with a three pointer to start the game, but Michael Gray (Glendale, MD/Bowie) answered right back with one of his own to start a torrid first half for the sophomore guard. Gray would then go on to throw up an alley-oop to Deven Richmond (Bowie, MD/DeMatha) and then stole the inbound pass to scoop in an easy layup. The two teams exchanged leads a couple of times back-and-forth before Gray hit a three pointer on the left wing that would give the Dragons a 14-13 lead that would not be relinquished. That started a 16-3 run for Howard that included long range makes by Cole Harshman (Baltimore, MD/Dulaney), Kelvin Sellman (Temple Hills, MD/Crossland), and another one from Gray who scored 19 of his game high 25 points in the first half.
 
Howard built their lead up to 49-36 at halftime and just continued to build up their lead as they went on to shoot 65% from the field in the second half. Daeshawn Eaton (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills) hit a three pointer early in the second half and Gray followed it up with another one on the following possession. Joel Webb (Forestville, MD/Wise) took a feed from Sellman and made an old-fashioned three point play with Sellman then setting up Richmond for a three point shot to put Howard up 21. DJ Tucker-Harry (Ellicott City, MD/Marriotts Ridge) gave Howard some huge plays in the second half as his work in the paint was often more than the Lions could handle. With time running down, Dragons freshman center Paris Young (Owings Mills, MD/Chapelgate) was able to make a fast break layup for his first points of the season to end the game in heartwarming fashion for the Howard faithful.
 
The Dragons had six scorers in double-figures with Gray leading the bunch. Eaton scored 17, Sellman added 14 and Richmond scored 12. Christian Matthews (Clinton, MD/National Christian) one again filled the box score with 10 points, six rebounds and five assists while Tucker-Harry scored 10 with a team high seven rebounds. Howard had 10 different players score in the game for the team that takes pride in their depth of the squad.
 
Naquan Williams-Day (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills) scored seven points in the game, but his amazing performance in all three games earned him tournament MVP honors. Richmond and Matthews were named to the All-Tournament team for their consistent efforts throughout the entire tournament.
 
The Dragons were named the winners of the NJCAA Division II Region 20 and Mid-Atlantic District champions and earned a bid to the national tournament in Danville, Illinois. This is just the second time Howard has made the national tournament and the first time since head coach Mike Smelkinson took the Dragons there in his first stint at Howard CC. The tournament selection show will take place on Tuesday, March 10 at 2 PM where the Dragons will find out who they will face off against.