After successful seasons on the basketball court, Lakeland women’s basketball freshman Lauren Perryand men’s basketball sophomore Jaidon Lipscomb were both selected to participate in National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) postseason all-star games.

Lipscomb competed in the 2023 NJCAA Men's Basketball All-Star Game presented by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) in Las Vegas, Nevada, Saturday, May 20. The sophomore finished the game with 22 points, including six three-pointers, to help the NJCAA South All-Stars to a 103-100 victory over the North All-Stars.

“We are proud of everything Jaidon has accomplished this season on and off the court,” said Lakeland men’s basketball head coach, Terrell Eskridge.“He has cemented himself in the school record books, ensuring his legacy will be celebrated for years to come."

Perry is one of 40 players nationwide set to participate in the 15th annual NJCAA Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-Star Weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. The event will be held on the campus of Clayton State University, July 20-23.

"Lauren works extremely hard on and off the court,” said Lakeland women’s basketball head coach, Ornette Gardenhire. “She has spent countless hours developing her basketball skills and has worked as hard in the classroom. She is a model teammate and competitor on the court.”

In her freshman season, Perry helped lead the Lakers to a 22-4 overall record and a 9-1 mark in Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) play. Lakeland earned a share of its fifth league title in program history and was a No. 1 seed in the Great Lakes District postseason tournament. Perry averaged 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game, while also helping the Laker defense hold opponents to a conference-low 55.6 points per game. She was named an All-OCCAC first-team selection.

Lipscomb’s all-star game success comes after a standout sophomore season with the Lakers. He helped lead the team to an impressive 22-6 overall record, including a 14-2 Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) record and the program’s seventh league championship. Lipscomb led the conference in scoring, averaging 23.1 points, while also adding 6.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.5 steals per game. He capped off the season being named Lakeland’s male Athlete of the Year, while also earning OCCAC Player of the Year honors and was selected as an NJCAA All-America first-team honoree. In his freshman season, Lipscomb helped propel Lakeland to a program-best 26-2 record, while securing the OCCAC title and finishing fifth at the NJCAA national championships. He averaged 15.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, earning All-OCCAC second-team honors. Lipscomb rounded out his Lakeland career eclipsing the 1,000-career points mark, compiling 1,044 points in two seasons with the Lakers.

By: Kerry Ann Jonke, Asst Director Market & Communi