Stampley making big plays for Titans

Before every game, Nick Stampley pulls an imaginary cord to start his engine as he is being introduced.

The Eastern Florida State College sophomore has shown that motor in both wins at the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas.

The plays don't show up in the box score, but were vital to the success of the team. Tuesday night the Titans were clinging to a four-point lead and needed a stop, Stampley planted his feet and drew the offensive charge and hit both free throws to give the Titans a win.

In the opener against Allegany Maryland, Stampley dives for a ball with 25 seconds remaining to end any threat of an Allegany comeback.

"Stampley is the man. He makes play after play, he has a motor that just doesn't stop," Eastern Florida State College men's basketball coach Jeremy Shulman said. "He is one of the best defenders in the country and had some big-time rebounds."

Stampley prides himself on his defense and rebounding, not really concerned with how many points he scores night in and night out.

"Coach Shulman preaches defense, so I saw an opportunity to take one of the biggest charges of my life and I took it," Stampley said. "It means a lot for us to be here in the quarterfinals, but there is still more work to do."

Stampley and the Titans will face No. 2 South Plains in a quarterfinal game Thursday at 3 p.m. EDT in Hutchinson, Kansas.