The 3rd Annual Cougar Classic JV Tournament has come to an end, and it was another successful weekend of high-level basketball and competition. In 2024, Kuyper hosted the inaugural JV tournament, and the event has continued every February since. Kuyper invites JV teams from all around Michigan, and even surrounding states, to find a handful of JV college teams. Typically, JV teams at the collegiate level do not have a postseason to play in or a championship to play for, and Kuyper wanted to change that. This year's field was a great one, featuring the following 7 schools: 

Kuyper College
Grace Christian University
Grace College
Great Lakes Christian College
Washtenaw County Community College
Community Christian College
Cornerstone University

Aquinas College was the back-to-back defending champions, and with them not in the field, a new winner was going to take home the traveling trophy. Grace College, from Winona Lake, Indiana, went on to win the tournament. The tournament is a single-elimination format, and it includes a consolation round in order to guarantee two games to each team. 

In the opening round, Community Christian defeated Kuyper in close fashion to open the tournament. Great Lakes Christian then went on to defeat Cornerstone in a competitive battle. In the final game of the opening round, Grace College defeated Washtenaw County Community College. Later in the day on Friday, the winner's bracket play continued, where Great Lakes Christian defeated Grace Christian, and Grace College defeated Community Christian. This set up the championship game for Saturday evening, between the Crusaders of Great Lakes Christian and the Lancers of Grace College. 

In the consolation round, Grace Christian opened Saturday with an impressive comeback win over Kuyper. Cornerstone defeated Washtenaw County Community College in the final consolation game. 

All eyes then turned to the championship game. Grace College controlled the lead for much of the game, while Great Lakes continued to compete. Grace College went on to win the championship. The Lancers are now in possession of the traveling trophy, which indicates which team wins each year. The tournament featured high-level play, with each team playing with a championship on their mind. 

We would like to recognize our All-Tournament team selections from the 3rd Annual Cougar Classic JV Tournament:

Terrance Murphy - Kuyper
Paul Ritter - Grace Christian
Jay Jones - Grace Christian
Brennan Darr - Grace College
Seth Martin - Grace College
Jalen Gordan - Great Lakes
Nathan Thompson - Great Lakes
Cole House - Cornerstone
Levi Heerema - Cornerstone
Jeff Chandler - Community Christian

Congratulations to Grace College on winning the 3rd Annual Cougar Classic JV Tournament!