BEL AIR, Md. - For the second straight season, the Harford Fighting Owls men's basketball team ended their campaign in the Region 20 tournament at the hands of the Hagerstown Hawks. The 67-57 loss capped off a rollercoaster year for the Fighting Owls.

The last time Harford was able to produce 16 wins in a season dates back to 2018-2019 when the Fighting Owls finished 16-12. Current Head Coach Dimitrios Jelen-Joy has gradually produced more wins each season throughout his 4-year tenure at the helm of the program, and this season's final standings marks success that only two other coaches in recent Harford basketball history have been able to better (Smelkinson 2014-15 through 2017-18, and Smith 2006-07).

Wins did not come easy this season. The Fighting Owls schedule included 11 Division I JUCO matchups, four of which came against nationally ranked opponents Monroe College and Harcum College (home and home). Division II JUCO matchups included Chesapeake, Cecil, and Howard who also dabbled in the national rankings.

The team proved itself against strong competition all year. A key victory on the season came by a win on the road at Prince George's Community College, who finished 10^th in the nation for Division III JUCO. They also collected a tough win on the road against Cape Fear early into the season. Overall the Fighting Owls finished with an 8-5 home record, and a 7-7 conference result.

The highlight of the 2022-23 season was the impact on the record books. This year's team earned ten entries into the Harford basketball history books from standout individual performances. Sophomore guard Maseo Carson broke the all-time career three-point record with 127 made threes in two seasons. The record was previously held by current Head Coach Dimitrios Jelen-Joy with 120. Freshman forward Paul Mason broke the single season blocks record with 79. This number already puts him at 3^rd all time, setting himself up nicely to shatter the record of 98 career blocks by the end of his sophomore season.

Sophomore guard Jahsiah Lamothe catapulted to 3^rd all time in career steals with 103, while Sophomore forward Malik Carson moved to 5^th all-time in free throw makes with 136. Carson also moved to 8^th all time in career rebounds with 306. Sophomore guard Jalyn Hickman controlled the floor all season, and was the only player who saw action in all 31 games. Hickman left his mark on the program as 6^th place all time in season assists with 112.

The Fighting Owls move into the offseason graduating 7 sophomores who all contributed heavily to program's back-to-back winning seasons, going 29-27 in their two year stay. The team returns an experienced group of freshmen in 2023-24 who saw significant game action, along with a small group of injured and redshirted student-athletes who are expected to be key contributors. Coach Jelen-Joy and his staff look forward to preparing for next season by welcoming their incoming class, and watching their Sophomores continue to find success at the next level.