Riley West Signs with Valley City State

Former SCTCC point guard signed with Valley City State University of North Dakota this past week.

A 6-foot point guard, West is a native of Lakeville, Minn., and just completed his second year of collegiate basketball at St. Cloud Technical and Community College.

West was a 2-year starter at SCTCC and helped lead the team to a 22-7 record this past season. He averaged 14.5 points and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 34 percent on 3-pointers and 78 percent on free throws.

"We are impressed by Riley's approach to things both on and off the court," Coach Kaminsky said. "We were especially impressed by Riley's competitive toughness. We are looking forward to the leadership that he will bring to our program."

West leaves St. Cloud with eight school records to his name, including most points in a game (36) and most assists in a game (13). He also holds career records for assists, 3-pointers made and free throws made.

"Riley was always a player that I could count on to bring great effort everyday he was on the court," said Andrew Cone, head coach at SCTCC. "He is a solid leader, and an outstanding young man. I am excited for him as he takes this next step in his basketball career.”

West played his high school basketball at Lakeville South High School (Minn.). He is the son of Jason and Susan West.

Thank you to Mark Potts, Sports Information Director, VCSU for portions of this post.

Cyclone Men Wrap Up 2013-14 Season

The 2013-14 men's basketball team's national tournament run did not end the way coaches, players and fans would have liked with team losing on a last second three pointer to Mesabi Range in the regional quarter finals 68-67.  Overall, the team achieved so much during the season, they will have nothing to hang their heads about when looking back.
Here is a short list of milestones and memorable moments from this past season:

10 Game Win Streak to Start the Season
     In only the 2nd season at the NJCAA level, the 2013-14 season got off to a hot start, as the Cyclones rattled off 10 wins in a row to begin the season.  This included wins over Central Lakes College and Bismark State College, programs the SCTCC men had previously never beaten.  The Cyclones would end up winning 17 of their first 18 games.

Come back win at Itasca

     After trailing 72-52 with 10 minutes remaining in the second half of a game in Grand Rapids, MN the Cyclone men rallied to beat Itasca CC 83-82 on a Jared Noonan floater with 2.2 seconds left in the game.

Ranked Nationally for the First Time
     Coming off a season which saw the Cyclones post a 7-20 record in 2012-13, it is safe to say the men's team was not on anyone's radar.  However, after a great beginning to the season, SCTCC found themselves at #7 in the NJCAA Division 3 on December 3rd.  The Cyclones would remain a Top 10 team throughout the regular season, climbing as high as #2 on January 7th through January 22nd.  SCTCC finished the regular season ranked #7 in the polls.
Top 10 Match-up at Anoka-Ramsey
     On January 15th the #2 ranked SCTCC men traveled to #7 Anoka-Ramsey, for a NJCAA top 10 match-up, and the first of it's kind for St. Cloud Technical and Community College basketball.  The game lived up to the hype as both teams were evenly matched at each position.  The Cyclones gained a 14 point advantage early on in the 2nd half, leading 49-35, but from that point on it was a close contest.  Eleven lead changes and 12 ties would be the story, as the game went to two overtimes.  Riley West hit 1 of 2 free throws with 2.5 seconds remaining to put the Cyclones up 93-92, and Ted Lutterman was able to steal away a last second pass to seal the win.
Reversing Conference Record 4-10 to 10-4

     Coming into the MCAC southern division portion of the season, the Cyclones knew that no game would be easy to win.  SCTCC again broke through and defeated teams they had previously never beaten in their short history at the NJCAA level.  The mens team swept season series with Western Tech, Ridgewater College, Anoka-Ramsey and M-State Fergus Falls.  Reversing a conference record that stood at 4-10 (7th place) in 2012-13 to 10-4 (2nd place) in 2013-14.

First 20 Win Season in School History

     2013-14 marked the first season for Coach Cone, and in the basketball program's history, in which the team compiled 20+ wins (22-7).  The team won 12 games by double-digit margins. The Cyclones also won 5 games by a single basket.  The Cyclones finished the year 10-5 in games decided by three possessions or less.

Qualifying for the MCAC Tournament

    In only the second year of being a member of the MCAC and the NJCAA, the Cyclones qualified for the MCAC tournament held in Coon Rapids, MN.  The Cyclones ended the regular season with a 22-5 record, and a 2nd place finish in the southern division. 

MCAC / Region 13 Tournament Schedule Released

The MCAC office has released the tournament schedule for this upcoming weekend's games at Anoka-Ramsey Community and Technical College.  The SCTCC Cyclones will face of with the Mesabi Range Norsemen at 7pm on Friday February 28th.  The Cyclones finished the regular season with a 22-5 record, and the Norsemen come in with a 19-8 overall record.

The complete tournament schedule can be found HERE.

All games will also be webcast and you can find them HERE.

The team would love to have you come and support in person!  
Here is the address to Anoka-Ramsey: 

ANOKA-RAMSEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

11200 MISSISSIPPI BLVD. NW 
COON RAPIDS, MN. 55433


Ticket prices are, $5 for college students (with a valid id), children 6-17 and senior citizens (62 & over).  Adults are $8.  Tournament passes are also available.

Cyclones Finish Regular Season 2nd in the South

The SCTCC completed the regular season portion of it's schedule on Saturday evening with a home loss to Rochester Community College.  The loss marked the first time this season the Cyclones were unable to pull off a win at home, finishing with a 14-1 record at the Whitney Recreation Center.  This night was also an opportunity to recognize the sophomore student-athletes in the men's basketball program.

(Leland Harris, Jared Noonan, Nate Vang, Zach Jiskra, Riley West)

These five young men were the first to complete their two years of eligibility and marked the first recruiting class Coach Cone brought to SCTCC.
Here are Coach Cone's remarks on these outstanding young men, “This Sophomore class brought SCTCC basketball into the NJCAA level.  As a group, they have set the standard high for future Cyclones!  Each one of them worked hard throughout last season, even when we struggled to get wins.  Their hard work and drive to improve helped this year's team earn national recognition, being ranked nationally throughout the regular season, and moving as high as #2 in the NJCAA poll!  Their commitment on and off the floor has been everything I could have asked for as a coach, and I wish them the best in their future’s."
The Cyclones will advance to the MCAC/Region 13 tournament this coming Friday-Sunday at Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids, MN.

Cyclone Men Ranked #2 In Most Recent NJCAA Poll

The NJCAA released the first Division 3 Men's Basketball poll of the New Year.  The St. Cloud Technical and Community College team is ranked at #2.  This is the fourth poll of the season, and the Cyclones have played well enough to be ranked nationally in each one (7th-3rd-5th-2nd). 

This marks only the second season in which the SCTCC men's team has been a full member of the NJCAA.  Currently the team has a record of 13-1, and will finish up the season playing all MCAC southern division competition.  All home games are played at the Whitney Recreation Center, directly across the street from the main building on campus.  Check for a home schedule on our website. Come out and support your Cyclones!
Full NJCAA Rankings for 1-7-14

Cyclones Begin New Year With A Pair Of Wins

The SCTCC men's basketball team came back from winter break to play a road game in Hibbing, MN vs the Hibbing Community College Cardinals.  This was the second meeting of the season between the two teams, as the Cyclones defeated the Cardinals 85-73 in the first game.  This time around it was much of the same for SCTCC as the team pulled out a 90-77 victory. 
SCTCC built up a lead as large as 14 in the first half, and finished the half leading 41-30.  In the second, the Cardinals fought their way back into the game, and cut the lead to 74-72 with 3:12 left in the game.  From that point, Jared Noonan hit a running lay-up, Scott Nystrom connected on a 3 and finished a three point play in consecutive possessions.  The Cyclones would close the game on a 16-5 run to finish the game.  Noonan led all scorers with 25 points, hitting a season high 5 three pointers.  Felipe Villalaz (Sauk Rapids, MN) led the team in rebounding with 14.  SCTCC had an advantage off the bench as well in scoring, with the Cyclone reserves outscoring the Cardinals 24-13.  This also marked the first game of the year for freshman Michael Wiese (Albertville, MN) and the return of sophomore Nate Vang (Eyota, MN).  Both players had great contributions to the team with Wiese providing 15 points and 4 rebounds, and Vang with 8 points and 6 rebounds.
Game Stats @ Hibbing

On Tuesday, the Cyclones took part in their first MCAC southern division game of the season.  The Ridgewater College Warriors traveled to St. Cloud.  The game was close early on, with the two teams exchanging baskets the game was tied 4 times in the first half.  The Cyclones were able to create some separation as the half wore on, and it resulted in a 44-33 advantage.  The second half brought on more balanced scoring for the Cyclones as 4 reached double figures (Noonan 14, Bailey 13, Wiese 11, Nystrom 10).  Sophomore Riley West came close to a double-double with 8 points and 8 assists on the night.  The balanced attack resulted in a convincing 84-70 final score.  All Cyclones that played in the game scored. 
Game Stats vs Ridgewater

SCTCC Ranked Seventh Nationally

Coming off of back-to-back wins prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, where the Cyclones defeated St Johns University JV 78-71 and Itasca Community College 88-62, SCTCC will head into this week with three home games.  Tonight the Cyclones play host to St Johns University JV team again with a 7pm tip-off at the Whitney Recreation Center in St. Cloud.  Friday brings Hibbing Community College into town for an 8pm tip, and the week concludes on Saturday afternoon at 2 pm versus Rainy River Community College.

This week also brings a first for the basketball program here at SCTCC.  The men's team finds themselves ranked nationally in this week's NJCAA division 3 poll.  The Cyclones are currently ranked #7 in the country! Complete rankings can be found here: http://t.co/JIFUkYdcdx

Make sure you get out and support the team.  If you are unable to make the trip to St. Cloud, you can find the home games webcast at ihigh.com/sctcc.