North Branch, NJ – On Thursday March 8^th 2018 the RVCC Men's Basketball team defeated Mercer County Community College in the first round of the Region XIX Playoffs by a final score of 67-59. With the victory the Lions move to 22-9 on the season and face 2^nd seeded County College of Morris in the Semi-Finals tonight at Lackawanna College. The win gives head Coach Kevin Ryan his 100^th career victory while patrolling the sidelines for the Lions. Coach Kev took the reins of a struggling program in 2012 and has turned Raritan Valley into a perennial contender in the Garden State Athletic Conference and Region XIX. Once an unknown school to many in the basketball community, Coach Kev has made Raritan Valley a desired destination for some of N.J.'s best high school basketball talent. One of the many reasons is because of his ability to get his players into four year schools after their time here at RVCC. Over 10 of his former players have received full scholarships to schools such as Nyack College, Holy Family University, Clarion University, American International College, and Lincoln University among others. Over 20 former players have continued their playing careers at places like Montclair State, Cabrini, Delaware Valley, Kean, Centenary, and New Jersey City University just to name a few. Under his guidance RVCC has produced 3 NJCAA All-Americans, 3 Region XIX Players of the Year, 10 All-Region XIX Players, and 15 GSAC All-Conference Players. This is Coach Kev's 2^nd 20 plus win campaign, the first of which came during the '13-'14 season. That year he guided the Lions to their highest ever national ranking at #12 and to the school's first Garden State Athletic Conference Championship. Coach Kev's teams have made the postseason five straight seasons, but it's the success of the young men after they leave RVCC that Coach takes the most pride in. One of the staples of Kev's program has always been Family, and last night couldn't have been a better example of his mantra. Players from Coach Kev's first class to his most recent came to show their support for Coach Kev on his special night. Former players in attendance included: Marvin Crawford, Haniff Halloway, David White, Jaron Smith, and Booda Richardson. Coach Kev hasn't been on this journey solo as his Assistant Coach, Lou Mercer, has been by his side for all 100 victories. Deshawn Batts, a member of the GSAC Championship squad, has been on the staff the past two seasons as well. Congratulations Coach Kev on an amazing and rare accomplishment and for the unprecedented success you've earned at RVCC. The entire Athletic Department, as well as current and former players, would like to thank you for all that you've done for our men's basketball program, our school, and for the hundreds of athletes that call you Family!