By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
You reap what you sow. With the hard work, commitment and team work
throughout the five-month season, the Barton Community College men’s basketball
team is now reaping the benefits of winning a national championship.
RELATED STORY: Left no doubt...Barton basketball is the best in the country
Since
winning the NJCAA National Championship on March 30, the Cougars have enjoyed a month-long celebration and recognition. Coach Jeremy Coombs and the
team were recognized Tuesday at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka.
"I don't know if the guys knew exactly what we were walking into and what this deal was going to be like," said Coombs. "We walked through doors of the Capitol and they saw all the history and how cool that place is. That was a great experience for them. It was pretty cool for me to see them experience that."
Along with meeting Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, Barton was honored on the floor by the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Cougars' 12-man roster included five Kansas players, and coach Coombs is originally from Topeka.
"The Legislators mentioned me being a Kansas guy," said Coombs. "I went to Topeka-Hayden and played at Labette Community College and Kansas Wesleyan University. We took several Kansas kids as well and this team also had three starters that were from Kansas. It was a great deal for the college and the State of Kansas."
Along with Kansas Statehouse, the basketball team held their own celebration for fans at the Best Western Angus Inn, were recognized by the Barton County Commission, celebrated at Park Elementary School and have spoken at multiple civic and community groups.
"Seeing how happy, supportive and proud that people in the community are of this program has been unbelievable," said Coombs. "Obviously I'm biased, but I can't imagine there being a better situation or better place where people care about a basketball program than they do here."
Finishing 36-1 and on a 27-game win streak, Barton set the school record for most wins in program history. Since expanding the NJCAA National Tournament to 24 teams 10 years ago, the Cougars became just the second #1-seed to win the championship.
