Erie Community College defeated host and top-seeded Monroe Community College 66-59 on Sunday afternoon to win the 2018 Region III-Division II/ NJCAA District II Championship. This marks the tenth Regional Championship for the ECC Men's Basketball Program and first since winining back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012.
Monroe would grab an early lead behind a pair of three point baskets from Majesty Brandon as the Tribunes built an early 6-0 lead on the Katz forcing an Erie timeout after just three minutes of action. ECC would respond with a 16-5 run over the next six minutes to build a 16-11 advantage approaching the midway point of the first half. Erie would continue to pull away as they build an eleven point lead, 28-17, on a three point field goal from Tournament MVP Kasey Walker-Gregg with just over seven minutes remaining in the half. MCC would respond and cut into the Erie lead as they pulled to within two on a three point basket by Gilberto Cue as time expired in the first half with Erie leading 36-34.
Erie would score the first three points coming out the locker room to push the lead to five but Monroe responded with a 7-2 run to tie the score at 41-41 with just under sixteen minutes remaining in the championship. Monroe would take their first lead of the second half 46-45 nine minutes into the second half on a Charles Prater layup. Things would remain close as Monroe would never lead by more than a single point and Erie would lead by no more than four points over the next several minutes as the two teams would find themselves tied at 55-55 with five minutes remaining in regulation. The Kats would use an 8-1 run over the next three minutes to take a 63-56 capped by a three point field goal from Walker-Gregg. After a pair of turnovers, MCC's Cue would hit another three to pull the Tribunes within four at 63-59. That would prove to be the final points for MCC as Erie hit three free throws down the stretch to earn the 66-59 victory.
Walker-Gregg scored 21 points in the championship game after pouring in 24 points in an 83-80 win over Genesee CC in the semifinals. Teammates Kyle Harris, 16 points and 7 rebounds, and Shevon Anisca, 11 points and seven rebounds, joined Gregory-Walker on the All-Tournament Team. MCC's Majesty Brandon and Wes Nelson Jr. were named to the All-Tournament Team along with Genesee's Rahmel Thompson