Parkland Cobras Win NJCAA DII National Championship

Cobras defeat Ellsworth Community College 76-68 for their second title in program history.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:19am

The Parkland Cobras men's basketball team won the NJCAA Division II National Championship, defeating Ellsworth Community College 76-68. This is the Cobras' second national title, with their first coming 40 years ago. Parkland trailed in the second half but rallied for the victory, led by 34 points from standout player Jaiden Martin.

Why it matters

Parkland's championship win marks a major accomplishment for the small community college program, which has emerged as a national powerhouse in recent years under head coach John Bowler. The Cobras' success highlights the high level of talent and coaching at the NJCAA Division II level, which often gets overshadowed by the larger Division I programs.

The details

In the championship game, Parkland trailed Ellsworth Community College in the second half but mounted a comeback to secure the 76-68 victory. Jaiden Martin led the way for the Cobras with 34 points. Head coach John Bowler was named the NJCAA DII National Coach of the Year after guiding Parkland to a 29-7 overall record and back-to-back championship game appearances.

  • Parkland won its first national title 40 years ago.
  • The Cobras defeated Ellsworth Community College 76-68 in the 2026 NJCAA DII National Championship game on March 22, 2026.

The players

Jaiden Martin

A standout player for the Parkland Cobras who scored 34 points in the national championship game.

John Bowler

The head coach of the Parkland Cobras, who was named the NJCAA DII National Coach of the Year after leading the team to the championship.

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What’s next

The Parkland Cobras will look to defend their national championship title next season as they aim to build a dynasty at the NJCAA Division II level.

The takeaway

Parkland's championship win demonstrates the high level of talent and coaching in the NJCAA Division II ranks, often overshadowed by the larger Division I programs. The Cobras' success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaching staff, and serves as an inspiration for other small community college programs to strive for national prominence.