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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate the Parkland College
4men's basketball team, the Cobras, on the occasion of winning
5the 2025-2026 National Junior College Athletic Association
6(NJCAA) Division II National Championship on March 21, 2026;
7and
 
8    WHEREAS, The Cobras defeated the number eight ranked
9Ellsworth Community College by a score of 76-68, securing the
10team's first NJCAA Division II National Championship in 40
11years and finishing its season with a stellar record of 29-7
12following a remarkable postseason run; and
 
13    WHEREAS, The Cobras had a number of standout performances,
14with Jaiden Martin delivering 34 points, grabbing eight
15rebounds, and earning the title of Tournament MVP, Chris Bush
16scoring 12 points, and Grant Chamberlain contributing 11
17points and eight rebounds while covering both sides of the
18ball, and the latter two players were additionally named to
19the All-Tournament Team; the team achieved further distinction
20from Head Coach John Bowler being named NJCAA Coach of the
21Year; and
 
22    WHEREAS, The Cobras' championship win is a defining moment

 

 

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1for its coaches and players; after falling short in last
2year's title game, the team returned this season with
3determination while overcoming adversity throughout, including
4combating injuries and having to shorten its rotation; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The Cobras achieved victory on the exact day of
6the 40th anniversary of Parkland College's last national title
7win in 1986, adding significance to an already historic
8achievement; for bringing another championship back to
9Champaign, this season's coaches and players have secured
10their legacy in Parkland College history, and the team will be
11remembered among the program's greatest of all time; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The Cobras are led by Head Coach John Bowler and
13Assistant Coaches Coleco Buie, Jimmie Daly, and Matt
14Felsenfeld; and
 
15    WHEREAS, The members of the 2025-2026 Cobras include DJ
16Bolden, Chris Bush, Grant Chamberlain, Carmelo Fletcher,
17Jiovanny Garcia, Nick Harrell, Igor Jokovic, Jaiden Martin,
18Kodhi McStraw, De'Shaun Tolever, Kye Van Beest, and Trey
19Welter; therefore, be it
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
21HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
22we congratulate the Parkland College men's basketball team,

 

 

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1the Cobras, on the occasion of winning the 2025-2026 National
2Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II
3National Championship on the 40-year anniversary of the
4program's previous national title, and we wish the team's
5coaches and players continued success; and be it further
 
6    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
7presented to the coaches and players of the Cobras as a symbol
8of our respect and esteem.