The Blue Streaks have now won 3 straight conference tournament titles
Championships are the standard in University Heights, and tonight the John Carroll Men's Basketball program lived up to that standard once again.
The Blue Streaks knocked off Denison in the North Coast Athletic Tournament Championship, 84-68, dominating much of the way.
This marks the first Men's Basketball tournament championship in the NCAC for the Blue Streaks, in their first season in the league. JCU has now won eight conference tournament titles in program history.
This also marks the third straight year that Pete Moran's Blue Streaks have punched an automatic qualifier ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
"It's phenomenal, I think a lot of people kind of wrote this team off. We graduated 8 seniors, we graduated an All-American, we only returned one starter," said Moran. "These guys with their grit, their toughness, we knew early on that we had a bunch of tough guys that play the game really smart and they showed that for the last 27 games. I couldn't be more proud of their effort. This one is special and a special group, this is a special moment for the John Carroll community."
Luke Chicone (5'11''-PG) continued his outstanding season, one of the best by a Blue Streak in program history. His 39 points broke George Dalton's long-standing record of 669 points in a season, set way back in 1952-53. Chicone won the NCAC's Tournament MVP (the Al Van Wie Award).
"It was hard coming off a really good year my junior year, coming back with really high expectations, and then my season ended to a significant injury. But my uncles, my coaches, my family, my teammates all had the utmost confidence in me, the whole offseason and into this season. So I owe it all back to them," said Chicone talking about his season after missing out on almost all of the 2024-25 season due to injury. "Without my teammates, none of this would be possible, on the floor, off the floor, those guys are my brothers. Having coaches like Pete and Pat, I could go down the line, they've been pivotal for me, not just helping me on the floor, but off the floor as well."
The Big Red jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead but a Kyle Irwin (6'6''-F) three got the scoring started for JCU. Luke Chicone picked up right where he left off from the semifinal and nailed a three and then followed it up with a mid-range pull up to tie the game. Another Chicone triple gave the Blue Streaks the lead. That three ignited a 16-7 Blue Streak run, which featured only scores by Luke Chicone, including another three from deep. The energy and momentum was clearly with the visitors.
Layups from Irwin and Lucas Perusek (6'1''-G) pushed the lead into double digits for the first time all night. A Jack Zapolnik (6'0''-G) three got the lead to 15 and had the Denison crowd silent. After a light run by the Big Red, Chicone's sixth triple of the opening half sent the Blue Streaks into the locker room with a 12-point lead.
The halftime speech had every player and coach ready to run through a brick wall. Coach Moran reminded the team that they had 20 minutes to cement themselves as champions, as legends.
The teams exchanged scores to start the second half, Denison pushed the deficit to under 12 but a floater and make from downtown by Aidan Fitzgerald (6'4''-G) thwarted the momentum, or so the JCU faithful thought. Denison continued to storm back and were back within two until a trio of Chicone free throws put an end to the run.
After an electric three-point play from Mike Lamirand got the Streaks bench back on their feet, Chicone found his way into a takeaway and after a missed shot Kasey Hunt grabbed the offensive rebound and threw it down with a dunk that cued a massive crowd pop from the JCU fans and had the lead back at 12. The fun didn't stop there as Hunt followed up with a step back three.
From there it was pretty much all John Carroll, as they continued to build a lead a Justin Chapman triple as the shot clock expired had the Big Red and their fans looking dejected as the Streaks took a 17-point lead. Just a few possessions later, Fitzgerald spotted up behind the arc and nailed the dagger for a 20-point lead.
Denison had no answer late. Senior captain Devin Burgess (6'5''-F) stepped onto the court and dribbled the clock out as the Blue Streaks stormed the court in celebration.
Luke Chicone had another record setting night, scoring 39 points to go along with 5 assists. Of course, he now owns the single-season scoring record. As for the assists? Chicone is now tied for most assists in a season with David Pfundstein (176, 1996-97).
"Not bad for what was supposed to be a down year, I am so proud of this team, the grit and energy they bring to practice is something most teams don't have," said Chicone.
"He's made me a better coach," Moran said of his nephew. "He is one of the top three players in the 106-year history of John Carroll Basketball. His jersey will be hanging in the rafters soon. From a personal standpoint, with the passing of my Mother, it brought our family close, and Luke being close with my Mom, he played these last two months on behalf of her."
Justin Chapman came up every time the Blue Streaks needed him, finishing with 7 points and 8 rebounds, four of which were offensive rebounds in much needed situations. Chapman also buried his fourth 3-pointer of the year in the second half to keep JCU in control.
"This group is something special, from being counted out to NCAC champs, they're a bunch of dogs," stated Chapman.
Hunt finished the night with 9 points, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
Tonight's game cements the legacies of Luke Chicone, Sean Collins, and Devin Burgess, as they have now won a conference trophy in all four seasons they have been at John Carroll.
"I'm so proud to call these guys my teammates and friends. No one deserves it more than these guys," said Collins.
"I am so very proud of this close knit group. We are not done yet!" said junior Kyle Irwin.

Courtesy of northcoast.org