Basketball teams across the South Plains are finally home after successful seasons. Fans were along for the ride the whole way.
“It’s a great unifier, too. The thing I love about it, people who wouldn’t normally even be talking or thinking about basketball all of a sudden become great fans,” said Robert Giovannetti, senior associate athletics director at Texas Tech University.
Texas Tech made it to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament, but other teams in the region also thrived.
South Plains College won the National Championship for the NJCAA tournament.
“At the end, when it really came important to finally get it and start trusting each other, I think we played more as a team than we have all season long,” said Steve Green, head coach for SPC.
Other teams in the area also progressed deep into national tournaments included Lubbock Christian University’s Lady Chaps, who made it to the Elite Eight of the Division II NCAA tournament, and Wayland Baptist’s Flying Queens, who made it to the Final four of the NAIA tournament.
“I think this has always been a pretty good area for college basketball,” said Green.
In high school basketball, the Southcrest Christian girls and All Saints Episcopal School brought home national championships.
“I think it just shows the people, we do play good basketball out here,” said Giovannetti.
Both Texas Tech and South Plains College said these victories bring a lot of attention to West Texas on a national level. This has the potential to bring more fans and players to programs in the region next season, said Giovannetti.