Colonials Head into the Playoffs as Conference Champs

The Colonials emerged as champions of the Eastern Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Championship (EPAC) and now rank fifth in the National Junior College Athletic Association(NJCAA) Region XIX, Division III.

Their 17-5 record in the regular season play has earned them a berth in the Division III playoffs. The Colonials will play Northampton in Bethlehem, Pa. on Tuesday, March 27th at 7 pm. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for students. 

This has been a stellar season for the team and for Jaylen Nixon, who received 1st team All-EPAC and was voted “Player of the Year." Malachi Thompson was awarded 2nd team All-EPAC honors.

The Community College of Philadelphia Colonials have fielded powerhouse basketball teams for many decades. Outstanding basketball alumni include former Philadelphia 76er Ollie Johnson and Ronald Murray, who played for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Under head coach Joe Rome, the Colonials won the championship title for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XIX Division III conference in 2014-2015, the first year of the team’s playoff eligibility.

Over the years, athletes at the College have balanced jobs and challenging classes as they have paved a path to possibilities in basketball.  Nixon, a forward for the Colonials, stands at 6’3” tall and averages about 20 points and roughly 6 rebounds per game. 

“My team is like my family – they’re more like brothers here. I think this is the greatest team I’ve played on,” said Nixon. “The one thing I learned from playing basketball here is if you’re not focused on the classroom, you can’t be focused in the court.”

Coach Rome added this team has worked hard in the classroom as well, “We have a good group of freshmen on this team. They work hard in the classroom and on the court. In order to win in basketball, you have to succeed in learning too.”