LOCHE SHELDRAKE, N.Y. ---- Massasoit's Jim Stapleton was named NJCAA District 8 Coach of the Year, announced Wednesday night at the NJCAA Division III National Tournament banquet.

Stapleton led the Warriors to their first-ever trip to the NJCAA National Tournament in the 50 years of basketball in Brockton. Massasoit captured its second Region 21 Tournament in program history, both coming under Stapleton's watch, in a thrilling 77-74 overtime victory vs Bristol.

The Warriors own a record of 20-6, marking a six-win improvement from last year. Massasoit has posted separate winning streaks of seven and nine games during the 2017-18 season.

The Warrior win total marks the third season of 20-or-more wins during Stapleton's 17-year tenure at Massasoit. 

The seventh-seeded Warriors face the No. 2 seed Nassau at 5 PM in the opening round of the NJCAA Tournament.