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The 2020-21 men’s team celebrates the program’s first-ever NAIA National Championship inside Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City. Different & Special nee State Bears Men Shaw ’s Basket tion ball -21 NAIA Na al Champio 2020 ns

Shawnee State University senior James Jones is mobbed Shawnee State University senior Donoven Carlisle (30) scored a by his teammates after being named the NAIA National team-high 19 points off the bench in the Bears’ National Semifinal Tournament Most Valuable Player. win over the University of Saint Francis (Ind.). SSU Coach DeLano Thomas and seniors Donoven Carlisle, E.J. Onu, and freshman Latavious Mitchell embrace after winning the program’s first-ever NAIA National Championship.

A special supplement to

Shawnee State University sophomore Jakiel Wells (3) shows his joy during the postgame celebration following the Bears’ 74-68 win over Lewis-Clark State in the NAIA Spring 2021 | Section S National Championship game. Shawnee State University senior E.J. Onu (35) dunks during the Bears’ 82-77 National Semifinal win over the University of Photos courtesy of SSU Office of Communications Saint Francis. 2S Wednesday, March 31, 2021 SSU National Championship 2021 Daily Times OH-70230047 Daily Times SSU National Championship 2021 Wednesday, March 31, 2021 3S

Congrats Bears on your 2021

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Shawnee State University 2021 National Championship Team

Amier Gilmore Kobie Johnson James Jones Jakiel Wells Desmond CrosbyJr. Junior #0 Senior #1 Senior # 2 Sophomore #3 Junior #4

Tre Beard Bailey Davis Issac Abergut Shawn Paris Jr. Corie Blount Jr. Freshman #12 Senior #14 Junior #20 Sophomore #21 Freshman #22

Miles Thomas Latavious Mitchell Donoven Carlisle Markus Geldenhuys EJ Onu Senior #24 Freshman #25 Senior #30 Junior #33 Senior #35

DeLano Thomas Lindal Yarbrough Jack Trainer D’Andre Price Zack Kelly Justin Patrick Head Coach Associate Head Coach Assistant Coach Grad Assistant Video Coordinator Video Coordinator

Headshots courtesy of SSU Office of Communications

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Courtesy of Anna Trankina, SSU Office of Communications The 2020-21 Shawnee State University men’s basketball team celebrate the program’s first-ever NAIA National By Jacob Smith for Kansas City’s Municipal Championship following their 74-68 win over Lewis-Clark State (Id.). [email protected] Auditorium with one goal in mind — one that’s been pres- KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It’s ent since the cancellation of the final buzzer sounded, but SSU’s inside Municipal Auditorium in pionships, and now National been a season and postseason 2020 NAIA National Tourna- historic 31-2 campaign was Kansas City (Mo.). Champions, the Bears’ season- of firsts for the 2020-21 Shaw- ment which SSU had qualified concluded with the program’s Winners of 27-straight long journey ended in celebra- nee State University men’s bas- for the first time in program first-ever NAIA National Cham- games, the program’s first tion and a net cutting ketball team. history: Win the whole thing. pionship following their 74-68 Mid-South Conference Regular The Bears left Portsmouth It wasn’t official until the win over Lewis-Clark State Season and Tournament Cham- See Champs | 6S

Thomas’ team message never changed, wavered

PORTSMOUTH — For So too was his speech first-ever NAIA National fourth season at Shawnee And indeed, these Bears DeLano Thomas, just about at Wednesday night’s cel- Championship. State and with the national were different. any postgame interview ebration ceremony inside But hey, when you’ve won championship to go along And truly special. Paul or press conference — or Waller Gymnasium, in which count ‘em 27 consecutive to with his NAIA National Undoubtedly, like the Boggs even his tweets — this past Thomas and his Bears cele- end the season, why change Coach of the Year honor — 1998-99 Shawnee State Sports season was pretty much the brated their return home — — or even waver. tweeted anytime the hashtag Reporter same. after winning the program’s Thomas, completing his #BeDifferentBeSpecial. See Message | 7S

would like to Congratulate The Shawnee State University Men's Basketball Team on their Hardwood Heroes Congratulations Bears on the national championship! We want to thank Shawnee Awesome State and the Champions in their continued support of the Hardwood Heroes games. Season! We will see you on the court Champs! OH-70230062 OH-70230218 Daily Times SSU National Championship 2021 Wednesday, March 31, 2021 5S SSU’s Onu, Jones named NAIA All-Americans

PORTSMOUTH — E.J. Onu Cleveland was first-team NAIA course of the season — State — is already ranked Fresh off a season full Capping off a splendid the only player on All-American since including each of Shaw- 18th in program history of firsts, E.J. Onu and Shawnee State tenure the roster to play his head coach, nee State’s eight postsea- in career assists. James Jones have already with a 31-2 record and and start in all 33 DeLano Thomas, son affairs. The 6-4 wing led Shaw- added to that — just an NAIA National Cham- games during the accomplished the Despite a season nee State in the following two days after winning pionship, Onu posted 2020-21 season, feat during the slightly shortened due to categories: the program’s first-ever marks that completely and — not surpris- 2003-04 season. the COVID-19 pandemic, Points scored NAIA National Champi- rewrote the individual ingly — led the Onu Only Onu, Jones still finished fourth Points per game onship. and team recordbooks at nation in blocks Thomas and Andre in program history in Assists Onu — the greatest SSU in the process. per game and total Horton (2001-02) total scoring in a single Assists per game four-year player in the Finishing with aver- blocks (150). have accomplished season — with 620 tal- Free throws made (120) history of the Shawnee ages of 12.6 points, 6.9 The 6-11 the milestone in lies — while his 20 points Free throws attempted State men’s basketball rebounds and 4.2 blocks led Shawnee State program history. per game made the senior (150) program — became the for his career on 52.8-per- in the following from Chicago just the Free-throw percentage first two-time NAIA All- cent shooting from categories: James Jones second player in program (80-percent) American in program his- the field, Onu greatly Total blocks Wrapping up history to average 20 Field goals made (232) tory by earning first-team exceeded all of those Blocks per game Jones one of the greatest points per game. Field goals attempted All-American honors, averages during the 2020- Total rebounds individual scoring Only Horton, with (492) while Jones received his 21 season on career-best (266) campaigns in school his- his 24.1 points per bout For more information first national All-Ameri- efficiency. Rebounds per game tory, Jones proved himself during the 2001-02 cam- on SSU Bears Athletics, can status in his college For his senior sea- Three-pointers made (52) as a guy who could be paign, averaged more. visit www.ssubears.com career by earning sec- son, Onu averaged 16.9 Three-pointers attempted relied upon for a bucket In addition to his out- or visit the Twitter and ond-team All-American points, 8.1 rebounds and (130) at any point in time. standing scoring load, Facebook pages at https:// accolades, as announced 4.5 blocks while shoot- Three-point field-goal For the season, Jones Jones proved to be the twitter.com/SSUBears by national officials on ing 57.3-percent from the percentage posted a year to remem- team’s best facilitator. and https://www.face- Thursday afternoon. floor and a strong 40-per- From a career stand- ber, averaging 20 points, His 4.8 assists per con- book.com/SSUBears. With their NAIA All- cent mark from three- point, Onu ranks first 6.1 rebounds and 4.8 test and 150 total assists For more information on American statuses, the point range. all-time in program his- assists per game on out- are both fifth in program how to join the SSU Bear duo allowed the Bears He scored in double fig- tory in blocks (529) and standing efficiency him- history over a single sea- Club or for sponsorship to post two NAIA All- ures in each of Shawnee blocks per game — and self, as his 47.2-percent son. of specific SSU players or Americans for the second State’s first 30 games, and third all-time in points shooting would suggest. To put his impressive events, visit https://give- season in a row. 31 of the team’s 33 affairs (1,578) and rebounds He, like Onu, also passing totals into per- tossu.com/bear-club and That also marks a first in all. (866). scored in double figures spective, Jones — in just https://givetossu.com/ in program history. The senior from He becomes the first in 30 games over the one season at Shawnee sponsorthebears.

Playground to SportsCenter Davis named to MSC Champions By Jacob Smith preach. Go in there anytime [email protected] the ball goes up and we’ll get rebounds on whoever of Character Team KANSAS CITY, Mo. — we’re facing.” There’s a number of factors Mitchell’s and PORTSMOUTH — Shawnee State saw that go into perfecting the dunk off James Jones’ two of its best character individuals make putback dunk. missed shot gave the Bears the Mid-South Conference’s Champions Having the athletic prow- a 35-23 lead with less than of Character unit for the 2020-21 season, ess to accomplish the feat four minutes to play in the with senior forward Bailey Davis and senior on a 10-foot rim, timing, first half in their NAIA wing Hagen Schaefer earning and a will for rebounding National Championship tilt their way onto the lists with are all major contributing versus Lewis-Clark State. Courtesy of ESPN their effort on the floor and pieces to that puzzle. The instant highlight Shawnee State freshman Latavious Mitchell and the Bears appeared character off of it. Shawnee State fresh- made its rounds on social on the Tuesday, March 23 edition of SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays — Thus, the West Portsmouth after their 74-68 win over Lewis-Clark State in the NAIA National man Latavious Mitchell media, as it came on the Championship. area swept the basketball — owner of the No. 4 play biggest of stages with his Champions of Character on SportsCenter’s Top 10 team’s 26-game win streak awards. plays on the Tuesday, March on the line. ship dunking on people on big moment in the game.” Davis, a two-year letterwin- Davis 23 ESPN broadcast of the However, it wasn’t the ESPN — that has to be his As much as timing goes ner with Shawnee State’s nightly sports highlight first time Mitchell’s leaping best one.” into making a Top 10-wor- men’s basketball program, had already show — agreed that master- ability landed him on SSU’s Buccigross even gave thy play, so too does experi- contributed heavily to the Bears’ day-to-day ing the move has a lot to highlight reel. Thomas a shoutout in SSU’s ence. operations as an energetic leader. do with anticipation and Yarbrough said Mitchell 15-second appearance on For Mitchell, he said that The 6-foot-5 senior has helped the pro- timing. has showcased his dunk- the nightly recap show after growing up, he and a friend gram achieve a 54-13 record over the past Mitchell, head coach ing ability in practice and winning the program’s first- would play games of “21” two years, with the group earning two DeLano Thomas, and asso- throughout the season, but ever National Champion- — where the only points NAIA Tournament bids in that same time ciate head coach Lindal that the one announced by ship. scored were via tip-dunks. span. Yarbrough interviewed SportsCenter anchor John Thomas said he too was How fitting. Davis’ friendly personality has been evi- about that and their cham- Buccigross had to top the celebrating Mitchell’s dunk, “What’s funny is that dent on campus as well — being named the pionship run in the most list of dunks during the but the ESPN cameras with- me and my friend would 2020 Homecoming King by his fellow peers. recent episode of the PDT freshman’s first campaign as in Kansas City’s Municipal do that all the time when He participated in Start With Hello Week Sports Podcast — available a Bear. Auditorium focused square- we was younger, play tip- last year and, academically, has a 3.1 GPA on YouTube and by visiting “We’ve seen a lot of dunks ly on the freshman post play. dunks,” Mitchell said. “Just with over 120 hours of credit on his line as portsmouth-dailytimes.com/ from Latavious, he’s dunked “That was awesome. like when you play ‘21’ but a plastics engineering major. sports. on E.J. (Onu) multiple times That’s my guy, I like him. tip-dunks only — we used For more information on SSU Bears “It’s definitely about the in practice. The greatest has Only SVP is better than him to play that so it just came Athletics, visit www.ssubears.com or visit timing. I don’t know, it’s to be the one in the National right now,” Thomas said, natural.” the Twitter and Facebook pages at https:// natural timing,” Mitchell Championship,” Yarbrough of Buccigross’ shoutout. twitter.com/SSUBears and https://www. said. “You have to have that said. “What’s at stake, it’s a “That was great to have that Reach Jacob Smith at (740) 353- facebook.com/SSUBears. For more informa- in you to want to go get the high-level game. Knowing moment for Latavious. If 3101 ext. 1930, by email at jsmith@ tion on how to join the SSU Bear Club or aimmediamidwest.com, or on ball. It’s kind of being in the what he comes from, didn’t they would have shown me Twitter @JacobSmithPDT © 2021 for sponsorship of specific SSU players or right place at the right time, play high school, and now when that happened, I was Portsmouth Daily Times, all rights events, visit https://givetossu.com/bear-club that’s what our coaches he’s in a National Champion- screaming too. That was a reservedv and https://givetossu.com/sponsorthebears.

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Yarbrough, Jack Trainer Champs Grad assistant: D’andre Price Video Coordinator: From page 4S Zack Kelly, Justin Patrick

ceremony with Ports- BOX SCORE mouth, Scioto County, Lewis-Clark State 30 and SSU alumni across 38 — 68 the county tuned in Shawnee State 40 intently to witness the 34 — 74 historic feat. Lewis-Clark State Shawnee State’s men’s (22-2) 68 basketball program Khalil Stevenson 8 0-2 became the first team 19, Hodges Bailey 2 0-0 since the 1998-99 SSU 5, Damek Mitchell 5 7-8 women’s basketball team 21, Nathan Fromm 1 0-0 to win a National Cham- 2, Travis Yenor 0 2-2 2, pionship and the first Trystan Bradley 4 1-2 team men’s or women’s 11, Jake Albright 4 0-1 8; from to win a colle- TOTALS: 24 10-15 68; giate basketball National Three-point field goals: Title since the University 10 (Mitchell 4, Stevenson of Findlay’s men’s team 3, Bradley 2, Bailey 1); did so in the 2008-09 sea- Courtesy of Anna Trankina, SSU Office of Communications Shooting: 24/69 (10/32 son in NCAA Division II. The post-game pandemonium inside Municipal Auditorium included SSU players celebrating the program’s first-ever NAIA National from 3-point); Rebounds: The Bears got plenty Championship. 33 (Mitchell 8); Assists of time in the spotlight 11 (Mitchell 5); Turn- on Tuesday night as the gram added that his jour- In an impressive entire tournament. six points as SSU shot overs: 5 game aired nationally on ney was something of the rebounding effort, the Despite being in foul 25-of-60 from the field as Shawnee State (31-2) 74 an ESPN3 live stream, as Almighty. Bears out-boarded LC trouble in both halves of a team and 11-of-28 from Amier Gilmore 5 3-3 well as part of the NAIA’s “That’s God-driven. I State by 19 (52-33) as the National Title win, behind the three-point 14, Kobie Johnson 0 0-0 streaming package. can’t make this up, I can’t Jones accounted for a Onu still nearly reached line. 0, James Jones 8 7-9 20, SSU even made make this story up. It was game-high 10 on his own. his tournament-average SSU becomes the Jakiel Wells 2 0-2 4, Miles SportsCenter’s Top 10 never my plan for me to Jones finished the eight blocks a game as second-straight MSC pro- Thomas 3 2-2 10, Issac plays with Latavious come back and get my tournament averaging 23 the Cleveland native fin- gram to claim the NAIA Abergut 2 0-0 6, Lata- Mitchell’s first-half put- degree, but this is where points, seven rebounds, ished with six points, six Men’s National Champion- vious Mitchell 1 0-0 2, back dunk, which gave God put me,” Thomas and 4.8 assists per game. rebounds, and six blocks ship following George- Donoven Carlisle 2 0-0 5, the Bears a 35-23 lead, said, “God put me in a He was one of three in the contest. town College (Ky.) doing EJ Onu 2 1-2 6; TOTALS: coming in at No. 4 and SC pretty dark place where I double-figure scorers Onu finishes his career so to wrap-up the 2018-19 25 13-18 74; Three-point anchor John Buccigross had nothing going for me, for the Bears, includ- as the school’s all-time basketball season. field goals: 11 (Jones giving a shout-out to but this is just a testament ing Amier Gilmore who blocked shots leader, just Players: Amier Gilm- 4, Thomas, Abergut 2 Coach DeLano Thomas of what he had for me. poured in 14 on 5-of-7 78 shy of the NAIA All- ore, Kobie Johnson, apiece, Gilmore, Carlisle, and the National Cham- It’s really not about me, shooting and Miles Thom- Time record. Onu’s num- James Jones, Jakiel Wells, Onu 1 apiece); Shoot- pion SSU program. it’s about these kids and as who had 10. bers definitely say so, but Desmond Crosby, Jr., ing: 25/60 (11/28 from In his post-game inter- now they have something Senior big-man EJ Onu he’s likely had the greatest Tanner Arey, Dakota 3-point); Rebounds: 52 view with ESPN’s on-site they’ll remember for the was also named to the career in the history of Pritchard, Tre Beard, Bai- (Jones 10); Assists: 8 announcers, Thomas rest of their lives — I’m NAIA Tournament First Shawnee State men’s bas- ley Davis, Miles Thomas, (Gilmore 3); Turnovers: said his excitement and just glad to be here with team alongside Jones, cap- ketball with 1,578 points, Issac Abergut, Shawn 17 approval for his team’s them,” ping his four-year career 866 rebounds, and 529 Paris, Jr., Corie Blount, year of work to help bring In the win over Lewis- in Portsmouth bringing blocks — each number Jr., Latavious Mitchell, Reach Jacob Smith at (740) 353- 3101 ext. 1930, by email at jsmith@ home a championship Clark State, the Bears a red-banner to Waller ranking in the top five Donoven Carlisle, Markus aimmediamidwest.com, or on trophy to Portsmouth was never trailed after taking a Gymnasium and doing in school history in their Geldenhuys, EJ Onu, Twitter @JacobSmithPDT © 2021 nearly indescribable, but 20-17 lead in the first half so in amazing fashion on respective categories. Alex Schalch Coaches: Portsmouth Daily Times, all rights he found a way to make following a Warrior run to the defensive end for the Six Bears scored at-least DeLano Thomas Lindal reserved his point to a tee. tie things at 17-all. “Words can’t express LC State made things what I’m feeling right interesting in the home- 2020-21 Men’s Basketball Schedule now, more excited for stretch of the second half, these kids. The year that but SSU never gave up the Date Opponent Result Date Opponent Result they’ve had to go through, lead or even allowed the Nov. 10 Ohio Christian University 96-62, W Jan. 23 Cumberland 82-54, W just the sacrifices they’ve Warriors to tie the game. Nov. 13 @ Grace College 99-94, W (OT) Jan. 25 Grace Christian University 102-69, W had to make. Being here The Bears went 13-of-18 Nov. 19 63-53, W Jan. 28 @ Martin Methodist 108-86, W early, not being able to from the foul stripe with Nov. 21 vs. Great Lakes Christian College 92-70, W Jan. 30 @ Life University 81-77, W get into the gym — every senior James Jones head- Nov. 25 64-61, L other week something ing the effort at the line Feb. 4 101-90, W Dec. 3 @ 68-57, L Feb. 6 @ University of the Cumberlands 85-78, W popping up. All we’ve with his 7-of-9 shooting. Dec. 5 @ 67-47, W been talking about is “Be Jones — the first team Feb. 8 @ 77-68, W Dec. 10 Martin Methodist 83-54, W Different, Be Special”, and Mid-South Conference Feb. 20 @ Campbellsville University 86-54, W Dec. 18 Mount Vernon Nazarene University 82-62, W these kids went and did guard from Chicago, Ill. Feb. 28 vs. Cumberland University 90-75, W it. Now they’ve got a great who was named NAIA Dec. 31 University of the Cumberlands Shop80-72, W 24/7 at www.richstv.com Jan. 2 @ University of Pikeville 91-79, W March 1 vs. Martin Methodist 91-82, W example of how special Tournament Most Valu- March 2 vs. Thomas More University 70-54, W they are — I’m just proud able Player (MVP) after Jan. 4 Thomas More University 81-57, W Thank you for votingMarch 13 vs. us West #1Virginia for Tech Appliances76-70, W of this group right now.” the six-point win — led Jan. 7 74-73, W The Columbus Beech- SSU with a game-high 27 Jan. 9 Campbellsville University 106-86, W NoMarch Intrest 18 vs. If BethelPaid In College Full Within 12 Months*69-59, W March 20 vs. University of Jamestown 76-65, W croft HS graduate and points on 8-of-20 shooting Jan. 14 @ Bethel University 88-82, W on qualified appliance purchases of $300 or more now fourth-year head from the floor (4-of-9 from Jan. 16 @ Freed-Hardeman 80-76, W March 22 vs. Universitymade from of SaintSeptember Francis 30, to Ocotober 82-77,10, 2017. W Jan. 21 Lindsey Wilson College 90-70, W Interest will be charged to your account from the coach of the Bears’ pro- 3-point). March 23 vs. Lewispurchase Clark date State in the College purchase balance is74-68, not paid W in full within 12 months. Minimum payments required. Shop 24/7 at www.richstv.com Congratulations Thank you for voting us #1 for Appliances Shawnee State No Intrest If Paid In Full Within 12 Months* on qualified appliance purchases of $300 or more Bears!! made from September 30, to Ocotober 10, 2017. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date in the purchase balance is not paid in full within 12 months. Minimum payments required. 2021 NAIA National Champions!!

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May not be combined with any other promotion or offer. 60734695 CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS SHAWNEE STATE BEARS TO THE SHAWNEE STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS! on your 2021 National Championship and 27 straight wins •• TRANE TRANE

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Staff Report The episode is available by searching “PDT Sports PORTSMOUTH — The Podcast” on YouTube, or Shawnee State University by visiting portsmouth- Bears men’s basketball dailytimes.com/sports. team are NAIA National If you like the episode, Champions for the first please subscribe to the time in program history. feed and share the episode In Episode 5 of the PDT with your friends, family, Sports Podcast released SSU alumni and those on March 26, 2021, PDT around the community. Sports Editor Jacob Smith E.J. Onu (5:09​-15:17​), interviews SSU players James Jones (15:19​-19:56​ E.J. Onu, James Jones ), Latavious Mitchell and Latavious Mitchell, (20:00​-25:38​), DeLano coaches Lindal Yarbrough Thomas and Lindal Yar- and DeLano Thomas, and brough (25:40​-1:03:55​ athletic director Jeff Ham- ), Jeff Hamilton (1:04:39​ ilton about their recent -1:16:57​). championship run, their https://www.youtube. experiences at SSU, and com/watch?v= what they’ll take away EruXzVRGkLc&t=1204s from the special season — Paul Boggs | Daily Times and the highlights of the © 2021 Portsmouth Daily Times, all SSU players E.J. Onu, James Jones and Latavious Mitchell, coaches DeLano Thomas and Lindal Yarbrough, and athletic director Jeff team’s trip to Kansas City. rights reserved Hamilton join PDT Sports Editor Jacob Smith for Episode 5 of the PDT Sports Podcast.

ular-season champion- Six weeks later, more Unfortunately, spectators And the players, to their Message ship, the MSC Tourna- of the same. were not permitted this past credit, kept listening to their ment, and ultimately the “Honestly, it really season to attend Shawnee State coaches’ instructions. From page 4S National Tournament. wasn’t about basketball home games —as part of the Game after game. Although his mes- with this group. Every health and safety protocols set Win after win. women’s basketball National sages made for shorter day in our preparation forth in response to the corona- And championship after Championship team which was times in front of the for the last 11 days, it virus threat. championship. inducted a decade later into the microphone, an average Thomas was all about us and try- “We’re all here. We’re all here Sometimes, the shortest SSU Athletics Hall of Fame, the of five minutes or less, ing to get these guys to in this moment,” Thomas told of messages — no matter 2020-21 Bears are sure to some- Thomas’ words were more understand this moment that the crowd. “I may have got- how redundant or even mun- day themselves be enshrined. important than any interview we’re in and locking in on it,” ten Coach of the Year and all dane — can go the longest But Thomas insisted in each length —as they clearly reso- said Thomas, in the postgame that, but this was never about of ways, generating many interview the overriding theme nated with the Bears all season. press conference following the me. It was about these young miles. for the season wasn’t about “It’s all about the guys, get- Bears’ NAIA National Tourna- men behind me and these For the Bears in 2020-21, basketball —because that took ting them to understand this ment Opening-Round win on coaches. What made these Thomas’ talks did just that care of itself in the form of a moment right now. It’s great to March 13. “Stay together. Just guys truly special was that we —and the mileage to Kansas 31-2 record and 27 straight have won 13 in a row, but it’s stay together in this moment.” were coaching these guys, and City and back in the form of an wins. all about the next day and the And finally, a week ago on it wasn’t about basketball. We NAIA National Championship Thomas talked regularly next game coming up,” said Wednesday night —in front coached these guys about stay- was the end result. about he and his team “staying Thomas, after the Bears defeat- of Bears fans gathered inside ing together and staying in Thus, why change? in the moment”, simply focus- ed Grace Christian in the Sean a socially-distant Waller Gym- the moment. That’s all we ever Or even waver? ing only on the game in front Elliott Classic back on Jan. 25. nasium, which was actually talked about. We said it in dif- of them that day or night, “We’re trying to stay positive, the first time in over a year ferent ways, sometimes yelling Reach Paul Boggs at (740) 353- never mentioning what needs keep our mind on the right in which basketball fans were and sometimes not, but that’s 3101 ext. 1926, by email at pboggs@ aimmediamidwest.com, or on Twitter @ to happen down the line —for things, but at the same time, allowed inside the James A. what we coached these guys BoggsSports © 2021 Portsmouth Daily the Mid-South Conference reg- enjoy the moment we’re in.” Rhodes Athletic Center. about this year.” Times, all rights reserved

Congratulations Shawnee State Congratulations Men's Basketball Team!! Shawnee State We are Proud Bears of You!! NAIA National Champions!

McKINLEY www.atomiccu.com FUNERAL HOME Serving the Area Since 1937 740-259-2481 OH-70230054 OH-70230056 8S Wednesday, March 31, 2021 SSU National Championship 2021 Daily Times

SHAWNEE STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!

31-2 Season Record & 27 Straight Wins! MSC Regular Season Title MSC Tournament Championship NAIA National Championship

MSC + NAIA Coach of the Year: DeLano Thomas MSC Player of the Year + NAIA First Team All-American: EJ Onu NAIA Tournament MVP + NAIA Second Team All-American: James Jones NAIA All-Tournament Team: James Jones + EJ Onu

2020-21 SSU MEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER: Amier Gilmore, Kobie Johnson, James Jones, Jakiel Wells, Desmond Crosby, Jr., Tre Beard, Bailey Davis, Issac Abergut, Shawn Paris, Jr., Corie Blount, Jr., Miles Thomas, Latavious Mitchell, Donoven Carlisle, Markus Geldenhuys, & EJ Onu

2020-21 SSU MEN’S BASKETBALL COACHES: Head Coach: DeLano Thomas, Assocaite Head Coach: Lindal Yarbrough, Assistant Coach: Jack Trainer, Grad Assistant: D’Andre Price, Video Coordinator: Zack Kelly, & Video Coordinator: Justin Patrick OH-70230067