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After a crushing overtime loss to Penn State York in the PSUAC Championship, Penn State Wilkes-Barre is ready to bounce back and make a run for the USCAA Division II men’s basketball championship.

“The loss was really tough on all of us,” Penn State Wilkes-Barre senior Ameer Biddle said. “But we all see where we made mistakes and we know we have to learn from them moving forward. One game doesn’t define us and we know that we can be the best team in the country.”

Even though they lost their conference championship, the Mountain Lions head to Uniontown to play New Hampshire Technical Institute (NHTI) in the USCAA Division 2 quarterfinals at 6 p.m. on Sunday.

“The team and the guys were deflated after the conference championship,” Mountain Lions head coach LeShawn Hammett said. “We had a team meeting earlier in the week and explained to the guys that we are still alive and we have a lot to play for. The biggest goal we set at the beginning of the season is still possible.”

Coach Hammett’s Mountain Lions enter the tournament as the three seed out of eight teams.

Last season, PSU Wilkes-Barre went to the tournament and lost in the first round. Despite the loss, the Mountain Lions have grown as a team and all season they expected to be in a position to compete for the USCAA title.

“Even with the loss, things stay the same for us. We have a really deep team and have relied on a core group of eight guys,” Hammett said. “Biddle, Jordan Williams, Jheron Dawson-Johnson and Kevin Silverberg each bring veteran experience for us on the court. Khalil White has shown to have big game ability and is our leading scorer and Levaugn Knight-Soules is a year older and has emerged as a big player for us.”

PSU Wilkes-Barre has earned a 22-5 record to this point and the team still has confidence and pride going into their next game.

“Representing this school and my team in the conference championship and then the national tournament means everything to me,” Biddle said. “It’s our goal to bring back a championship to our school and show everyone the hard work that we have put in.”

The Mountain Lions have a tough test in front of them in the first round of the USCAA tournament as NHTI holds a 27-4 record and has a rich history, winning the tournament in 2005 and winning the Yankee Small College Conference the last two years.

“My expectation and the team’s expectations haven’t changed,” White said. “We just want to win a national championship.”

PSU Wilkes-Barre doesn’t lack confidence and they have gained the experience from last season and the few hiccups they have had this season.

“I expect us to win a national championship,” Dawson-Johnson said. “I want to do everything in my power to help my team win so I don’t have regrets when my college career ends after this season.”

Hammett honored nationally

Hammett was announced as the USCAA Coach of the Year Saturday following his team’s impressive 18-1 conference record. He led the Mountain Lions to one of the best seasons in school history and coached two second team All-Americans in Ameer Biddle and Khalil White.

Sophomore forward, and Myers graduate, Levaughn Knight-Soules was crowned the USCAA Slam Dunk champion Saturday.

Penn State Wilkes-Barre went 18-1 in PSUAC play this season under the direction of fourth year head coach LeShawn Hammett, center.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_PSU-WB-BB-3-1.jpg.optimal.jpgPenn State Wilkes-Barre went 18-1 in PSUAC play this season under the direction of fourth year head coach LeShawn Hammett, center. Alanna Lloyd | Penn State Wilkes-Barre Athletics

Mountain Lions head coach LeShawn Hammett discusses his game plan in the PSUAC championship game at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pa.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_PSU-WB-BB-2-1.jpg.optimal.jpgMountain Lions head coach LeShawn Hammett discusses his game plan in the PSUAC championship game at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pa. Alanna Lloyd | Penn State Wilkes-Barre Athletics

Penn State Wilkes-Barre looks to make school history and bring home a USCAA Division 2 national championship. The Mountain Lions need t win three more games.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_PSU-WB-BB-1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgPenn State Wilkes-Barre looks to make school history and bring home a USCAA Division 2 national championship. The Mountain Lions need t win three more games. Alanna Lloyd | Penn State Wilkes-Barre Athletics

By Ben Mandell

For Times Leader

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