By Kati Moody
The South Plains College Texans men’s basketball team wrapped up the 2024-25 Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC) season as champions, securing the title with a thrilling win over Odessa College and a dominant performance against Midland College. Now standing at 24-6 overall (14-2 in conference play), the Texans head into the NJCAA Region V Tournament as the No. 1 seed, with their sights set on a deep postseason run.
Head Coach Hayden Sowers reflected on the season’s journey, emphasizing how the Texans overcame early-season adversity to finish strong.
"When you judge the totality of the regular season, it couldn't have gone much better," Sowers said. "We had a bad five-day stretch in November where we lost three in a row, but outside of that, the guys understood the expectations—especially after Christmas—to run through the league and win the league by three games. Probably the best league in the country. It’s pretty special."
South Plains secured the WJCAC championship with a high-powered offensive victory over Odessa College, shooting 56 percent from the field and 71.4 percent from three-point range in an 85-82 win.
Isaac Taveras led the charge with a game-high 24 points, while also contributing four rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Caleb Blackwell facilitated the offense with 15 points, four rebounds, five assists, and one steal, while Arterio Morris dominated the boards with 13 points, nine rebounds, one assist, and two steals. Tavaj Cope rounded out the Texans’ offensive attack with 11 points, one rebound, and one assist.
Despite Odessa's late push, the Texans’ elite shooting and defensive composure in the final minutes secured the victory and the conference title.
Sowers credited the team’s late-season success to their ability to lock in on defense and share the basketball.
"This last round of conference after we lost to New Mexico, I thought they really locked in on what was important—sharing the basketball, guarding the basketball, and playing to their abilities," Sowers said. "Each one of them sacrificed, and you can see the reward there as the champions of the conference."
South Plains followed up their title-clinching win with an 84-64 rout of Midland College, closing out the regular season with another dominant performance.
The Texans led just 42-40 at halftime, but a strong defensive effort and efficient shooting (55.2 percent in the second half) helped them pull away by 20 points in the final period.
Once again, Isaac Taveras led the way, scoring 14 points, while Jalen Ricks provided a spark off the bench with 13 points. The Texans controlled the glass, out-rebounding Midland 41-31, which allowed them to limit second-chance opportunities for their opponents and extend their own possessions.
Sowers highlighted the team’s depth and ability to score in transition as one of their biggest strengths heading into the postseason.
"I think our depth is our biggest strength," Sowers said. "The other night at Midland, we won by 20, and I think we had eight or nine guys score over nine points. It’s hard to scout a team like that. Their ability to get down the floor athletically and pass the ball side to side has been the most pleasant surprise from late January into February and March."
With their No. 1 seed secured, South Plains will begin play in the NJCAA Region V Tournament on March 12 at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas.
Sowers is confident that his team is battle-tested and ready for the challenge ahead.
"It's going to be wars," Sowers said. "It’s postseason basketball, the best time of the year, because it’s win or go home. We play a Temple College team that we played earlier in the season, but they’re a completely different team—just like us. Each game is different. You can’t look ahead; you just have to win the game and earn the right to play the next 40 minutes."
The Texans enter the tournament ranked No. 8 in the latest NJCAA Division I rankings, making them one of the top contenders for a national tournament bid. The winner of the Region V Tournament earns an automatic berth to the NJCAA National Tournament, scheduled for March 23-29 in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Sowers emphasized that his team’s mindset will be critical in the tournament, as there are no second chances in March.
"That’s the thing about postseason—every game is different. We lost six games this year, and every time, we got to play another game three or four days later," Sowers said. "You don’t get that opportunity in March. Hopefully, we can go down there and win another one back-to-back."
If the Texans can win the Region V title, they would make history.
"I was looking, and I don’t know if it’s ever been done—back-to-back league and region champions, same team," Sowers said. "So that would be cool if they can get down there and get it done."
With momentum, depth, and experience on their side, the Texans will look to make a statement in Waco. Sowers remains confident in his team’s talent and preparation, knowing they are ready for the postseason battle ahead.
"Since August, we've prepared for these kinds of games," he said. "We were there last year, we won it, we made it to Hutch. First time as a head coach, and we prepared for these moments. I think the guys are ready."
With championship aspirations in mind, the Texans hope to be cutting down the nets once again next week.
"Go Texans," Sowers said with a smile