Photo by Iowa Central Athletics: Tashun Pender dunks for Iowa Central at the NJCAA men’s basketball championships on Saturday.

DANVILLE, Ill. — The 2025-26 season will be remembered as one of firsts for the Iowa Central men.

It marked the first year under the direction of head coach Mason Denholm, who stepped in for Ryan Kirsch after he took a position on the coaching staff of Bryan Petersen at South Dakota State.

And Denholm led the Tritons to the first-ever NJCAA Div. II National Tournament Final Four, placing fourth overall here Saturday after a tough 75-63 loss to host Danville.

Playing for the third time in three days, Iowa Central (28-8 overall) was unable to mount the sam rally they had in a thrilling 78-77 win over previously-unbeaten Pima in the quarterfinals.

The Tritons also beat Schoolcraft, but fell to eventual runner-up Ellsworth in the semifinals.

“It’s just such a hard tournament,” Denholm said. “A lot depends on the luck of the draw in terms of when you play your games and when you get to rest.

“We gave it everything we had and I could not be more proud of this group, who will go down as having the best two-year run of any here at Iowa Central.”

Jalen Wynter, one of five sophomore starters, scored 13 points vs. Danville, while Jordan Cain added 11. Tashun Pender finished with nine points and 13 rebounds with two blocks and two assists, Aleix Sempere had seven points and 12 rebounds, and CJ Mitchell scored eight with five assists.

“Honestly, the loss to Ellsworth probably hit me harder than I anticipated,” Denholm said. “And that was because of how much I wanted it for those sophomores. Walking into the locker room after the game, I couldn’t contain my emotions, and I told them it was because if how much they have given us and how much we wanted them to have it all.

“That group put us on the map. We reminded them that they will not be remembered for the loss in the semifinals, but for the first team at Iowa Central to reach the Final Four.”

For Danville, Blake Reed scored 12 points, Antonie Franklin had 11 and both Keyton Barnes and DeShawn Clark scored 10. Danville led throughout, building a 16-point advantage at one point.

“(In the quarterfinals vs. Pima) we had to use so much energy to finish that one off,” Denholm said. “I think it just kind of came back to hurt us after that. Many people felt Pima was the best team after the first round, and they came back to smack (No. 1 seed) DMACC for fifth place.

“It’s just so hard to use so much energy and get it back the next night.”

Cain earned regional player of the year this past season and will be a likely All-American for Iowa Central when those are announced. Along with Cain, Pender, Mitchell, Wynter and Sempere were part of 48 wins overall and 25 victories in the ICCAC over the past two seasons.

Parkland knocked off Ellsworth for the national title, 76-68. The Cobras were the No. 11 overall seed of the tournament after placing second last season.

DANVILLE 75, IOWA CENTRAL 63

Iowa Central – Tashun Pender 3-6 3-6 9, CJ Mitchell 3-18 2-2 8, Jalen Wynter 4-8 2-3 13, Aleix Sempere 2-5 3-8 7, Jordan Cain 4-7 3-6 11, Manny Lueth 1-8 0-0 3, Dorian Pruitt 2-7 0-0 6, Jaxson Cathcart 1-2 0-0 2, Simon Gurial 0-0 0-0 0, Victor Hatungimana 0-0 0-0 0, Jon Roberts 0-0 0-0 0, Jean Lucas Beleoken 0-0 0-0 0, Carter Loney 2-2 0-0 4. Totals: 22-63 13-25 63.

Danville – DeShawn Clark 2-5 6-6 10, Danzell Anantoewe 2-5 0-0 4, Jordan Dickson 3-8 1-2 9, Antonie Franklin 4-7 3-3 11, Keyton Barnes 3-12 3-4 10, Kam Sweetnam 1-1 0-0 2, Elijah Stark 0-7 2-2 2, Jeremiah Poniewaz 3-7 0-0 8, Blake Reed 3-8 4-4 12, Rocky Adamo 1-1 0-0 3, Drevin Bratton 0-4 2-2 2, Alec Harrison 0-1 0-0 0, Jackson Dudley 0-0 0-0 0, Aiden DeRose 1-3 0-0 2. Totals: 23-69 21-23 75.

Halftime score: Danville led 41-34. Three-point goals: Iowa Central 6-28, Danville 8-26. Total rebounds: Iowa Central 43, Danville 44. Assists: Iowa Central 8, Danville 12. Turnovers: Iowa Central 13, Danville 11.