Men’s Basketball Claims Second Straight Region 20 Championship
Posted February 23, 2026 at 11:03 amThe Penn Highlands Men’s Basketball team defeated the Community College of Allegheny County 60-50 Saturday afternoon to earn its second consecutive WPCC/Region 20 Championship.
The Black Bears, who claimed the region championship for the first time in program history in 2024-25, collected their fourth conference title overall. Penn Highlands defeated Allegheny County twice during the regular season before the victory over the Wildcats this past weekend.
“To win the title two years in a row is a huge step for the program,” stated Chris Weakley, Penn Highlands Head Coach. “We started working back in the summer, and to see the guys still sticking together and performing well as a group is an amazing feeling. It’s very hard to beat a team three times in one season, so this is definitely bittersweet.”
With the win, Penn Highlands will now host the Mid-Atlantic District Tournament, set to take place Feb. 27-29 inside the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown’s Sports Center.
Penn Highlands will take on Region 4’s Joliet Junior College (Illinois) in the first semifinal matchup at 6 p.m. Friday. The tournament winner advances to the NJCAA Championships March 11-14 in Herkimer, New York.
Sophomore Desmond Handon Jr. (Baltimore, MD) was named Most Valuable Player after compiling nine points, nine rebounds, five assists and five steals in the championship game.
“We’re doing our best to make our mark in the history books here,” Handon stated. “We put everything into our practices and preparation. The guys came in every day and worked hard. We deserved this one.”
Ke’shawn White (Baltimore, MD) and Ahmad Boone (Toledo, OH) were named to the All-Tournament team alongside Handon.
Boone, Handon, BJ Lavender (Tampa, FL) and Victor Raymond (Wilmington, DE) each earned All-Conference honors for the Black Bears, recognizing their performances throughout the season.
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- Members of the Penn Highlands Men’s Basketball team pose for a photo following their victory in the WPCC/Region 20 Tournament Championship Game, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at Butler County Community College.
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- Victor Raymond, BJ Lavender, Ahmad Boone, and Desmond Handon Jr., pose with their All-Conference Awards following the WPCC/Region 20 Tournament Championship, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at Butler County Community College.
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- Ke’shawn White (All-Tournament Team), Desmond Handon Jr. (Most Valuable Player), and Ahmad Boone (All-Tournament Team) pose for a photo following the WPCC/Region 20 Tournament Championship, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at Butler County Community College.
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- Penn Highlands Men’s Basketball coaches Ben Mostoller, Chris Weakley, and Denzel Mobley pose for a photo following the WPCC/Region 20 Tournament Championship, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at Butler County Community College.
