The city of Dalton held a “Victory Lap” parade for the Dalton State men’s basketball team Friday night.
Three nights earlier, the Roadrunners won the NAIA Division I national championship in Kansas City, Mo.
This was the first season they were eligible for postseason participation — and the second season of the program’s existence. Coached by Tony Ingle, who won an NCAA Division II championship in his fourth year at Kennesaw State in 2004 and then led the Owls into the top level of the NCAA, the Roadrunners went 26-4 in their debut season and 32-4 this time.
Asked Friday afternoon what were his plans for year three, Ingle quickly said, “Go undefeated and win it all.”
Then he laughed and pointed out that he’s losing seven seniors, including four of the team’s starting players and Isaiah Massey, a 6-foot-9, 235-pound transfer from Louisiana Tech who played in only two games before sustaining a season-ending injury.