Photo by Iowa Central Athletics: Triton men’s basketball sophomores (left to right) CJ Mitchell, Jalen Wynter, Aleix Sempere, Jordan Cain and Tashun Pender are honored together by the Iowa Central coaches on Saturday.

The Iowa Central men’s basketball program will forever remember its sophomore class of 2026.

Five impactful players were honored on Saturday inside Hodges Fieldhouse as the 13th-ranked (NJCAA Div. II) Tritons rolled past Iowa Lakes by a final of 96-77.

Aleix Sempere, CJ Mitchell, Jordan Cain, Jalen Wynter and Tashun Pender all started and anchored Iowa Central, which improved to 22-6 overall and 14-5 in the ICCAC. Sempere led a balanced effort with 15 points, with Cain and Mitchell adding 14 each in the rout.

The Tritons built a 55-29 lead by halftime and never looked back.

“I thought our defensive effort and mindset was really good, especially in the first half,” ICCC head coach Mason Denholm said. “It’s always great to get a win at home, especially on a day when you’re thanking and honoring your sophomore class. They are special, given they came in (last season) and trusted a brand-new staff of the vision we had. And then they did the same after (former head coach) Ryan (Kirsch) took a Div. I opportunity. They trusted me and stayed, so I’m grateful to them for continuing to build what we did last year.”

The Tritons were 20-12 in 2024-25. This marks the first time in 14 years Iowa Central has posted consecutive 20-victory campaigns.

“They’ve all done some pretty incredible things, both team-wise and (statistically),” Denholm said. “A lot of their names will be at the top of the record books after their careers are done.

“All five of them are unbelievable human beings and are going to do amazing things with their lives.”

Manny Lueth added 11 points off the bench, with Dorian Pruitt (10) also reaching double figures. Mitchell contributed seven assists and six rebounds. Cain also grabbed six boards.

Pender and Wynter chipped in eight points a piece. Carter Loney hauled in a team-best 10 rebounds.

Wynter is already the new program record-holder for three-point baskets made, while Cain is the all-time leader for steals. Mitchell is now eight assists away from the school’s career mark.

The Lakers fell to 5-24 and 3-16.

Iowa Central’s regular-season finale is at NIACC on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

IOWA CENTRAL 96, IOWA LAKES 77

Iowa Central — Aleix Sempere 6-7 3-4 15, CJ Mitchell 7-16 0-0 14, Jordan Cain 6-12 0-2 14, Jalen Wynter 3-8 0-0 8, Tashun Pender 4-6 0-0 8, Manny Lueth 4-6 1-2 11, Dorian Pruitt 3-6 1-2 10, Jon Roberts 3-5 1-2 7, Jean Lucas Beleoken 2-3 0-2 4, Carter Loney 1-3 1-2 3, Jaxson Cathcart 1-3 0-0 2, Simon Gurial 0-1 0-2 0, Victor Hatungimana 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 40-76 7-18 96.

Iowa Lakes — Jermaine Freeman 8-24 2-4 21, Germaal Forde 8-11 3-4 19, Steven Martinez 6-9 4-5 16, Jack Wadlington 2-3 0-0 4, Dominic Preisler 1-5 2-2 4, Timothy Ofesi 1-2 4-6 6, Cooper Harris 2-7 0-1 4, Jorge Castro 1-4 0-0 3. Totals: 29-65 15-22 77.

Halftime score: Iowa Central led 55-29. Three-point goals: Iowa Central 9-25 (Pruitt 3-5, Wynter 2-7, Cain 2-3, Lueth 2-3, Mitchell 0-4, Cathcart 0-2, Loney 0-1); Iowa Lakes 4-18 (Freeman 3-9, Castro 1-3, Harris 0-4, Martinez 0-1, Wadlington 0-1). Turnovers: Iowa Central 9, Iowa Lakes 11. Rebounds: Iowa Central 49, Iowa Lakes 34.