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Three Black Bears Named To Men’s Basketball All-Region Team

Three Pennsylvania Highlands men’s basketball players earned spots on the NJCAA Division III All-Region 20 Team, with sophomores Desmond Handon, Jr. and BJ Lavender being named to the First Team and freshman Ahmad Boone given Honorable Mention. 

Handon (Baltimore, MD) and Lavender (Tampa, FL) both capped their careers at Penn Highlands by being awarded First Team honors for the second consecutive season, as the Black Bears claimed their second straight WPCC/Region 20 Championship. 

Handon led the Black Bears in scoring (17.6 points per game), assists (3.9), and steals (2.3) while being second in rebounds per contest (7.5). He compiled seven double-doubles and two triple-doubles in 27 games played, while becoming the first-ever Penn Highlands player to have multiple triple-doubles in a season. 

Lavender finished just behind Handon at 17.5 points per game and averaged 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals. Lavender topped Penn Highlands with 490 total points in 28 games. 

Boone produced 15.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.2 steals per contest during his first campaign in a Black Bears uniform. He tallied four double-doubles and eight games with 20 or more points. 

Handon, Lavender, and Boone were second, third, and fourth in Region 20 for points per game, respectively. Lavender was second in total points and field goals made, while leading in 3-pointers with 88. 

The three players were also awarded All-Conference honors following the WPCC/Region 20 Tournament, with Handon and Lavender being named for the second time. 

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Penn Highlands earns Military Friendly® Silver Designation For 2026-27

Police Academy To Host Three Open Houses This Spring

The Pennsylvania Highlands Police Academy will host a series of open houses at the College’s Richland Campus on March 30, April 16, and May 6.

All three events will begin at 4 PM and will be held in Room A143, directly across the hall from the College’s Large Group Instruction (LGI) classroom.

“This is a great opportunity to meet the Police Academy staff and learn more about qualifying to become a cadet,” stated Cregg Dibert, Director of Police Academy & Campus Security. “There are several steps, and we will guide the applicants through the process.”

During the event, participants will gain insights into the application process, pre-screening tests, and curriculum. A guided tour of the Academy’s facilities will be provided.

The Penn Highlands Police Academy is a certified unit of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (Act 120). Successful completion of the program will earn cadets a certificate and permit graduates to test for a Commonwealth Municipal Police Training (MPT) number required of all municipal police officers in Pennsylvania.

The Academy’s fourth class is slated to graduate in June 2026.

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Women’s Basketball Returns; Three Teams Move From NJCAA Division III To II

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced the addition of a Women’s Basketball program to Black Bear Athletics starting in the 2026-27 academic year, creating opportunities for female student-athletes throughout the region.

The College will also transition its Women’s Basketball, Men’s Basketball, and Women’s Volleyball teams from NJCAA Division III to Division II effective this June. This move allows Penn Highlands to offer athletic scholarships in these programs, enhancing the ability to support student-athletes’ educational and athletic careers.

“With the completion of renovations at our Richland gym and fitness center, Penn Highlands seized the opportunity to reimagine our athletic programs through the lens of student success,” stated Trish Corle, Penn Highlands Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. “Focusing on five programs, and transitioning three to NJCAA Division II competition, allows us to better support and challenge our student-athletes. We are confident they are prepared to compete, grow, and thrive at the NJCAA Division II level.”

Women’s Basketball will make its return to Penn Highlands as an official NJCAA-sanctioned sport for the first time since the program competed for two seasons from 1998-2000, when the team was known as the Cambria County Area Community College Shawnee Cardinals.

Penn Highlands facilitated Women’s Basketball as an NJCAA club team from 2016-18.

The College reinstated its athletics program in 2010 after a nine-year hiatus, with Men’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball being the first teams added. Penn Highlands was a Division III member of the NJCAA for the past 16 years.

The College’s remaining athletic teams, Men’s and Women’s Wrestling and Men’s and Women’s Golf, will continue to compete at the Division III level.

“This transition allows Penn Highlands to better recognize and support the talent, dedication, and success already demonstrated by our student‑athletes,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities & Athletics. “It represents a meaningful step forward in our commitment to competitive excellence, student achievement, and opportunity. The future is bright, the momentum is real, and there has never been a better time to be a Black Bear.”

Prospective student-athletes interested in Women’s Basketball or the College’s other athletic offerings can fill out a form by clicking on the ‘Become a Black Bear’ link on the Black Bear Athletics website.

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Victor Raymond Named Region 20 Division III Player Of The Month

Victor Raymond

Pennsylvania Highlands sophomore Victor Raymond was chosen as the NJCAA Region 20 Division III Player of the Month for February.

Raymond (Wilmington, DE) averaged 14.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks over five games during February, earning the Black Bears their first winner of the monthly award this season.

“It’s an honor to be named the Player of the Month,” Raymond stated. “I’m thankful for everyone at Penn Highlands who supports me. This couldn’t have happened without my teammates. I’m going to work to keep improving and continue moving forward from here.”

Raymond posted three double-doubles during the stretch and tallied four games with 10 or more rebounds.

His highlight was compiling 27 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks in a 98-86 win over Butler County Community College on February 12, which secured the No. 1 seed for the Black Bears in the WPCC/Region 20 Tournament.

“We are very proud of Vic,” stated Chris Weakley, Head Men’s Basketball Coach. “Coming off a year of injuries, he was able to play basketball at a high level and show he has what it takes to be a great player. He’s a fantastic young man that made a big impact for us.”

Raymond was one of four Penn Highlands players named to the WPCC All-Conference Team following the Black Bears’ victory over the Community College of Allegheny County in the Region 20 Championship game, giving the team its second consecutive title.

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