In the final day of the 2008 NWAACC Championship Basketball Tournament at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, WA, both Trojan teams were playing at 10am against teams that they have previously played twice in regular league play and were playing for 5th & 8th Places. 

The Women have beated the Storm of North Seattle CC in both previous meetings – 68-61 & 69-52. This being said, I’m not sure what was going on in their minds as they went into this 3rd game against the Storm.  I don’t know if they thought it would be an easy win or if they just didn’t care.  However, this was not the same team that had played the whole 2007-08 season.  Going into half time the Trojans were behind 14-38.  There were no lead changes nor ties in this game as North Seattle dominated from the tipoff.  The Trojans had 27 Turnover for the game and were out rebounded 28-44.  With a final score of 50-80, the Trojans end the season with a disappointing 8th place finish at NWAACC. 

The Men’s Team were slotted to play the Orcas of Whatcom CC, a team they played twice this season and split with them, winning at home 109-100 and losing at Whatcom 77-83.  This was also one of two teams that Everett was tied for 2nd place with in league play.  The game was pretty intense and fast paced, which is the way both teams play.  Going into half time, the Orcas were leading 40-35 over the Trojans. The second half was even more exciting as the game would go back and forth with at the end of regulation time the score was tied at 70.  Overtime is only 5 minutes long and starts with a jumpball at center court.  For that 5 minutes,  the Orcas proved they wanted it more as they outscored the Trojans 16-2.  With this loss, the Trojans would take home 8th Place.

On a side note…. On the Men’s Bracket…. there were no West Region Teams playing on Sunday.  The 10am and the 12pm games were all Northern Region teams (Everett CC v Whatcom CC & Peninsula College v Bellevue CC), the 2pm game was two teams from the Southern Region (Umpqua v Southwestern Oregon CC) and the Championship Game was two Eastern Region teams (Yakima Valley CC & CC’s of Spokane). 

Congratulations to both teams on their outstanding seasons! We look forward to next year and a return to the NWAACC Championship Tournament!