For the third time this season, the Joliet Junior College men's basketball team and Harper College did battle. And as it's gone in the previous meetings, the Wolves came out on top.

But this one may be the sweetest. The Wolves captured the NJCAA Division III Region 4 championship on Saturday with a 86-58 victory over the Hawks.

"Very deserving for these guys based on everything that we've gone through," said an emotional Wolves coach Danny Turner after the game. "The guys just persevered through the adversity the entire year. We were talking about how there's a difference between playing hard and being competitive, and they were very, very competitive today when we needed it the most."

The Wolves were led by sophomore Alex Vassilakis, who recorded a double-double with 27 points and 14 rebounds. 

"Alex has been the most consistent player for the two years he's played for me," Turner said. "Definitely one of the most fierce competitors I've coached. He stands 6-foot-1 but plays much bigger. If he was 6-foot-7, I wouldn't be coaching him -- he'd be at some four-year higher division school."

Turner continued to sing the praises of the guard, theorizing Vassilakis would earn All-Region honors for a second year in a row.

The Wolves also saw big games from freshman Jalen Williams and sophomore Mickael Allen. Williams finished with 18 points while Allen recorded another double-double for JJC, scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds.

"Jalen Williams has been really good the last four games, averaging about 22," said Turner. "He's the smallest guy on the floor against most opponents but he has a big heart."

Following the game, Turner was presented with the NJCAA Division III Region 4 Coach of the Year award.

With the victory, the Wolves advance to the Central District Tournament where they will face Owens Community College on March 2.