Women's Basketball News

Central Washington U signs Centralia's Brittany Duerr
2009-06-02 09:35:13

WILDCAT WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SIGNS CENTRALIA'S BRITTANY DUERR
Central Adds NWAACC's Sixth-Leading Scorer, Western Region MVP for 2009-10 Season

ELLENSBURG, Wash.(May 27) - Brittany Duerr, a guard from Centralia College, has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her college basketball career at Central Washington University, CWU head coach Jeff Whitney announced Wednesday.

Duerr, a native of Bellevue, Wash., and a graduate of Newport High School, was the Western Region Most Valuable Player in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) this past year. The 5-foot-9 guard finished sixth in the NWAACC in scoring with 16.1 points per game. She also averaged 5.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game for the Trailblazers.

"Brittany has a proven track record as a scorer, from high school to her days at the junior college level," Whitney said. "But beyond her abilities to score, she has an uncanny ability to see the floor from the three-guard position. Her passing abilities and court sense are also exceptional."

Duerr totaled 86 assists and ranked ninth in the NWAACC Western Region in that department. As a scorer, she reached double figures in 23 of 27 games for Centralia this past season, including eight 20-point performances. She scored a career-high 26 points in a game twice as a sophomore. In addition, Duerr ranked second in the NWAACC with 74 three-pointers made.

"Brittany has the skills to penetrate like Elyse Maras, but shoots the ball a lot like Hanna Hull," Whitney described, comparing Duerr to a pair of recent standout Wildcat guards. "She has a lot of quickness and is very long and athletic."

Scoring was a problem for an injury-depleted CWU squad this past season, as the Wildcats averaged just 56.3 points per game -- a 11 points-per-game decrease from 2007-08 and the second lowest-scoring average in the program's 29-year history. Whitney feels that the addition of Duerr, plus a change in the Wildcats' offensive philosophy, will help Central return to a higher-scoring and higher-paced attack in 2009-10.

"We are trying to implement the up-tempo style," Whitney continued, "and Brittany fits right into the system we are looking to run. She will help us return to the pace we are accustomed to playing with at Central."

Prior to her season at Centralia in 2008-09 and a redshirt campaign with the Trailblazers in 2007-08, Duerr played as a freshman at North Idaho College.

Duerr headlines a list of talented newcomers the Wildcats plan to have joining the program for the upcoming season. Additional signees will be announced in the coming weeks.

Central Washington finished seventh in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference this past winter.

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Purugganan named head coach of Pierce College Women's Basketball program
2009-05-22 10:37:13
Lakewood, WA - Brian Purugganan has been named the new head coach for the Pierce College Women’s Basketball program.

Purugganan comes to Pierce after nine seasons as head coach of the varsity girls’ team at Foss High School, where he led the Falcons to the state tournament twice and to the West Central District Tournament six times. His Falcons were the Narrows Bridge Division Champions in 2007-08 and Purugganan was named the division Coach of the Year in 2004.

“We feel very fortunate to have someone of Brian’s caliber and experience joining our staff and we are looking forward to getting the Raiders Women’s Basketball program back on the map in the NWAACC,” said Duncan Stevenson, Pierce College athletic director. “Brian will bring a new energy, a positive attitude, and a desire to succeed to the program.”

Similarly, Purugganan is excited to make the leap to college coaching.

“I consider it an honor and privilege to be working at this level, where I can mold and shape young athletes and prepare them for the future,” he said. “I look forward to the challenge of building a winning tradition with the Raiders basketball program.”

A Tacoma-area resident for 27 years, Purugganan has coached a number of Amateur Athletic Union teams in Seattle and Tacoma and has run team camps and clinics for the Boys and Girls Club in Tacoma and for various high school girls’ varsity programs. Prior to coaching at Foss High School, Purugganan was head coach at Clover Park High School (1995-2000) and at Christian Faith High School (1990-1995).

Media Contact Information
Amanda Haines, communications specialist
(253) 864-3239, ahaines@pierce.ctc.edu

Collier takes helm of Tacoma Women's Basketball
2009-05-12 14:51:50

Tacoma, WA - Head coach Heidi Collier begins her first season leading the Titan Lady Basketball Program. A native of Blaine' Washington Heidi attended Whatcom Community College' on a basketball scholarship. While at Whatcom she helped lead the Orcas to a Regional championship and a first time NWAACC Tournament appearance' resulting in a fifth place finish.

After completing her AA' Heidi continued her basketball career at George Fox University for one year' before transferring to the University of Puget Sound for her final season. Heidi was part of the 2003-04 Logger team that made the first trip to the NCAA III National Tournament. The Loggers advanced to the Elite Eight before falling to the National Champion. In 2005' Heidi earned her BA in Liberal Arts from Evergreen State College' Tacoma Campus.

Collier has coached basketball in variety of settings; AAU' middle school boys and girls' worked camps' and was an assistant coach at Stadium High School for the 2006-07 season. She has also coached middle school volleyball' high school fastpitch and was the Athletic Director at Chief Leschi Schools for the 2006-07 school year.

Coach Collier's focus for this upcoming season is to build a team of successful student athletes. She is enthusiastic about sharing her passion for the game of basketball and connecting the diverse group of student athletes as a team. Heidi trusts this will create a foundation which will revive the Titan Women's basketball program.

"We are extremely excited to have Heidi join our staff' As a former NWAACC athlete she fully understands the positive impact coaches can have on our student-athletes. Heidi will bring great passion and discipline to our Women's basketball program."

NWAACC Basketball Coaches raise money for American Cancer Society
2009-05-06 09:24:11

Message from Clif Wegner

OREGON CITY, OR - Thanks again to all the NWAACC basketball coaches who participated in last January's Coaches vs. Cancer national event. 100% of the men's coaches and many of the women's coaches dressed in solidarity for cancer awareness.

Money was also collected and donated by several NWAACC schools, so a special thanks goes to Skagit Valley, Pierce, Bellevue, Mt. Hood, and Clackamas colleges. Checks totaling $1320 was recently sent to the American Cancer Society.

Additionally, Skagit Valley raised an extra $300 for the memorial scholarship (cancer victim) Jim Worden, former NWAACC basketball coach.

Next year's Coaches vs. Cancer national event is scheduled for February 12-14, 2009.

NWAACC Basketball Coaches of the Year Announced
2009-03-23 18:10:19

NWAACC Basketball Coaches of the Year

Clackamas' Clif Wegner Named NWAACC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year
Clackamas men's basketball Head Coach Clif Wegner was voted the NWAACC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year for his team's outstanding season. This is the second time Coach Wegner has been named Coach of the Year by his peers. The Cougars needed double overtime against defending NWAACC Champs Yakima Valley and a single overtime against Lower Columbia to claim the 2009 NWAACC Championship. The Cougars finished the season 29-3 and was ranked #1 for the majority of the season. The 2008-09 season wasn't without hardship for Clackamas. In December, longtime coach with the Cougars, Jim Worden passed away from cancer and the team dedicated the season to Worden.

Lane's Greg Sheley Named NWAACC Women's Basketball Coach of the Year
After winning this year's NWAACC Women's Basketball Championship, Greg Sheley has been voted the 2008-09 Women's Coach of the Year. Sheley won his third NWAACC championship in four years. During his ten years as the Lane Titan coach, Sheley has accumulated a 243-73 record. The 2008-09 season marks his eighth straight season with 20 wins or more. After finishing second in the South Region, the Titans rolled through the NWAACC Tournament. This year is Sheley's third time being named NWAACC Coach of the Year.

Coach Wegner and Coach Sheley will be formally honored at the 2009 Hall of Fame Banquet being held in Pasco, WA May 28.

This Weekend on ISPN
2009-03-20 12:22:48
The ISPN Sports Show with Kevin Mac and NWAACC baseball Double Header broadcast. Starting at 8am on www.ispnsports.com Featured guests, Cliff Wegner, head coach of the 2009 NWAACC mens basketball champions Clackamas Cougars, Greg Sheley head coach of the womens 2009 NWAACC champions Lane Titans. Live baseball double header broadcast starting at 1pm Pierce Raiders vs. OC Rangers. www.ispnsports.com

Treasure Valley alum Vander Esch named to NAIA All-American Team
2009-03-19 13:27:09

Vander Esch, 3 Others Named NAIA D-II Women's All-Americans

3/18/2009

SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- College of Idaho's Christon Vander Esch, the CCC's Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in 2008-09, has been named a second team NAIA Division II All-American, the national office announced.

Three other Cascade Collegiate Conference players also were recognized with All-America citations: Southern Oregon's Jacki Speer, Concordia's Rebecca Gimeno and College of Idaho's Nicole Gall. Speer and Gimeno were third-team selections, and Gall was an honorable mention choice.

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Sophomore All-Star Tournament MVP Selections

Women
South-North: Sheena Cole, Lane
East-West: Hope Williams, Treasure Valley
Men
North-South: Ryan Sweet
East-West: Tyler Bollman, Walla Walla

Lane's Sheena Cole led the South women to a 87-67 win over the North All-Stars. Cole had 19 points, 4 assists, 4 steals and 3 rebounds. Treasure Valley's Hope Williams was one of three East all-stars to record 14 points, but it was her work on the boards that made her stand out as she collected 13 rebounds to lead the East over the West 82-63.

In Men's action, Whatcom's Ryan Sweet had a double-double as he ripped the nets for 19 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for the North in a tight 84-82 win over the South All-Stars. Walla Walla's Tyler Bollman was 7 of 15 from three point range as he tallied 21 points to lead the East over the West 103-97.

2009 NWAACC Basketball Championships All-Tournament Teams
2009-03-09 12:37:39

2009 NWAACC BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

MEN ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
FIRST TEAM
Austin Dunn, Clackamas
Coby Gibler, Highline
Nico Sandoval, Yakima Valley
Ryan Sweet Whatcom
Marice Toliver, Lower Columbia

SECOND TEAM
J.C. Cook, Clackamas
Duntae Jones, Olympic
Earl Jones, Mt Hood
Alex King, Lower Columbia
Rahiti Marere, Bellevue

MOST VALUABLE:
Chehalis Tapscott, Clackamas

MOST INSPIRATIONAL:
Jeray Key, Lower Columbia

WOMEN ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
FIRST TEAM
Kourtney Parks, Lane
Keri Arendse, Skagit Valley
Katie Isham, Walla Walla
Miranda Holenstein, Umpqua
Rylee Peterson, Clackamas

SECOND TEAM
Kaitlyn McBride, Yakima Valley
Sheena Cole, Lane
Brittany Duerr, Centralia
Brittney Janz, Skagit Valley
Brooklyn Bahme, Mt Hood

MOST VALUABLE:
Jennifer Kimbrow, Lane

MOST INSPIRATIONAL:
Alyssa Koller, Skagit Valley

2009 NWAACC Basketball Championships: Game Summaries
2009-03-07 12:21:31

SUNDAY MARCH 08
MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: Clackamas 71, Lower Columbia 69 OT [box score coming soon]

It took double overtime for the Clackamas Cougars to make the championship game and it took overtime for the Lower Columbia Red Devils to head to the final challenge, so it came as no surprise that it took overtime to determine a winner between the two teams vying for the 2009 NWAACC Championship.

Heading into the 2009 NWAACC Men’s Championship game, the Clackamas Cougars had a number one ranking in the Horizon Air poll; the Southern Region MVP, J.C. Cook; the Southern Region coach of the year, Clif Wegner; and Southern Region all stars Chehales Tapscott, Austin Dunn and Jeff Dorman.

The Lower Columbia Red Devils had Western Region all star Alex King and the region’s fourth seed coming into the tournament.

Both teams had difficult victories last night – Clackamas finally established control in the second overtime, winning 108-101 against Yakima Valley. Lower Columbia suffered the overtime curse as well, squeaking through 79-77 over Highline.

Cougar Zach Wilde pump faked and went under his opponent to post the first points of the game a minute thirty in. While Lower Columbia looked for someone with a hot hand, Clackamas built a 12-point lead only 10 minutes in. The Devils woke up and responded with 12 unanswered points to tie the game. The score remained locked as they headed into the locker room at the half and was locked again at 63 when time expired, sending the game into overtime.

The Cougars quickly established control in OT, going up by five, a margin they held with two minutes to go. However, the Devils fought back and were within two with fifteen seconds on the clock.

Red Devil Marice Tolliver missed a fader and the ball and win seemed destined to Clackamas. However, Ryan Freeman fought and pulled down the ball as the whistle sounded, giving Lower Columbia one more shot with .6 seconds on the clock to inbound and shoot. However, King had no chance for a good look at the basket as shot hit wide to the right. The clock sounded with a Cougar victory, 71-69.

Dunn and Tapscott came up big for the Cougars with 19 and 18 points, respectively. Tapscott added 16 big boards. Key posted high points for the Saints, 21, and King had 15 of his own with 13 rebounds. Rolliver came down with 15 rebounds in the game.

The 2009 NWAACC Champion Clackamas Cougars close out their season 29-3. The Red Devils return home with a second place trophy and a 19-12 record.

WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: Lane 81, Skagit Valley 54 [box score]
After an unsuspected domination over Umpqua last night, Skagit Valley hoped for a repeat against favored Lane. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, the Titans jumped out to a 22-0 lead to start the game and left the bewildered Skagit Valley team scoreless for the first 7.5 minutes, heading into the locker room down by 29 points.

It was a blow from which the Cardinals would not recover. Although gritty defensive play in the second half from Alex Love showed Skagit Valley kept heart, the Titans were never in danger and the ladies from Lane went on to win the 2009 NWAACC Basketball Championship, 81-54.

The Lane domination was spread out, with five players in the double digitts. High scorer was first team Southern Region all star Sheena Cole with 15. Second team all star Carmen Williams had 14 with a few beautiful shots in the paint and Jennifer Kimbrow also had 14. Sarah Whitfield had the game’s only double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The team shot 42% from the field.

The shining star for the weary Cardinals was first team Northern Region all-star Keri Arendse who was responsible for 19 points. Teammate and Northern Region MVP Brittany Janz shot 0-for-8 in the first half but finished the game with 14. Overall, the Cardinals shot 24% from field goal range.

This is the third championship in five years for Lane Community College, who finish the season 27-5. The Cardinals return home with second place finish in the NWACC tournament and a 27-2 season.

MEN: Yakima Valley 81, Highline 73 [box score]
Today’s battle for third place in the 2009 NWAACC Basketball Championships was a fierce one through the first half of the game and the Highline Thunderbirds and Yakima Valley Yaks entered intermission with only two points between them. However, the Yaks went on the offensive, outscoring the Thunderbirds 41-31 for the win, 81-73.

Yak Nico Sandoval had an impressive 23 points and 12 assists. Teammate Jody Johnson had a double-double of his own with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Rico Wilkins rounded out the high scoring starters with 18.

The Thunderbirds were led by Kelly Edwards with 16. Dan Young only played 15 minutes but had a valuable 14 of his own. Stedman Richardson had 12 rebounds.

The third place Yaks complete their season 25-7. The sixth place Thunderbirds wrap up their season 22-9.

WOMEN: Umpqua 81, Clackamas 68 [box score]
In their quest for third place in the 2009 NWAACC Basketball Championships, the Umpqua Riverhawks took charge early over the Clackamas Cougars and never let go, winning 81-68.

Miranda Holenstein was the outstanding scorer for the Riverhawks with 25 points and nine rebounds. Kristi Fallin added 16 and Cassandra Tiggett posted a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

For the Cougars, Rylee Peterson dropped in 19 and Dayle Powell contributed 16. Shayla Fetters had 13.

The Riverhawks win third place in the tournament and close out their 2008-2009 season with a 29-3 record. The Cougars finish the tournament in sixth with a 21-9 record.

MEN: Bellevue 90, Olympic 80 [box score]
Despite a strong comeback from the Olympic Rangers to overcome a 14-point deficit and bring the score within four with under three minutes to play, the Bellevue Bulldogs fought them off to pull away to win fourth place in the 2009 NWAACC Basketball Tournament with a 90-80 victory.

For the victorious Bulldogs, David Maddock dropped in 20 points. Sam Cartmell had 17. Curron Singleton had 13 and Rahiti Marere added 11.

The Rangers were led by Tysaih Curry’s 19 points and 12 rebounds. Duntae had 17 points and L.P. Neloms contributed 15. Justin Artis rounded out the double digit scorers with 13.

With their fourth place finish, the Bellevue Bulldogs complete their season 27-6. The Olympic Rangers take seventh place in the tournament with a 21-8 season.

WOMEN: Walla Walla 72, Yakima Valley 54 [box score]
The Walla Walla Warriors lead the Yakima Valley Yaks by 7 heading into the half and never looked back in their quest for fourth place, winning 72-54.

Kati Isham lead the storm for the Warriors, scoring 12 in the first half and 22 in the game. Nancy Johnson had 15. Kayla Hutcheson shot six for eight for 12 points.

Yak Kaitlin McBride and Christina Gough were the point leaders for their team with 8 points.

The Walla Walla Warriors win fourth place in the NWAACC Championship, ending their season 21-7. The Yakima Valley Yaks finish 25-6.

MEN:Whatcom 82, Mt. Hood 75 [box score]
As the Mt. Hood Saints women charged back from a large deficit next door, the men’s team was busy blowing a 15 point lead, getting outscored 53-35 in the second half for a Whatcom Orca victory, 82-75.

Leading the Orcas were Ryan Sweet with 22 points and 12 rebounds and Don Perconti and Zac Andrus with 14 points each.

For the Saints, Earl Jones contributed 21 points while Cody Mortenson had 15 and Chris Weitzel had 13.

The Orcas take fifth place in the 2009 NWAACC Basketball Championship, closing out their season 22-8. The Saints end up in eighth place and a record of 22-8.

WOMEN:Mt. Hood 64, Centralia 61 [box score]
Despite a lead by the Centralia Lady Blazers by as much as 12 during the first half, the Mt. Hood Saints refused to give up, charging ahead to take the lead in the second half and keeping it all the way to the buzzer, winning 64-61.

Leading scorers for the Saints were Jacki Cunningham with 21, Alexandra Melonson with 16 and Katie Smith with a 10-10 double-double.

For the Lady Blazers, Brittany Duerr had 25 points, playing nearly the entire game. Stevie Isaac had 10.

The Mt. Hood Saints take 5th place in the 2009 NWAACC Basketball Championship with a 19-12 season record. The Centralia Lady Blazers claim eighth place and end their ’08-’09 season 25-5.

SATURDAY MARCH 07
MEN: Lower Columbia 79, Highline 77 OT [box score]

Ranked number two in the Horizon Air poll heading into the tournament, the Highline Thunderbird’s appearance in tonight’s semifinal matchup was no surprise. However, after squeaking into the competition as the West fourth seed, the Lower Columbia Red Devils were expected to be anywhere else.

The teams traded baskets in the first half as the Thunderbirds out-rebounded the Red Devils on offensive rebounds 13 to 6, using their height advantage to the fullest. However, the Red Devils had the hot hand, shooting 51% versus 34%. Encouraged by a set of quick threes by Conrad Richie, Lower Columbia finished the first half with a 39 to 33 lead.

The threes continued to make the difference for Lower Columbia as they pulled ahead by as many as 12. But, Highline refused to panic and whittled away the lead, finally tying the game at 24.5 seconds left on the clock. Lower Columbia took the last shot, missing it and sending the game into OT.

With the score 77-76 and Highline in the lead with 28 seconds to play, Red Devil Marice Tolliver ran down the clock and snagged a three with 12 seconds left, giving the Devils the lead 79-77.

At the end of the court, the Red Devil shot was swatted out of bounds by Tolliver with 2.1 seconds on the clock. There was time for one more shot from Thunderbird Julian Fernandez but it missed the mark as the Red Devils triumphed 79-77.

For the Red Devils, Tolliver carried the team with 27 points and 9 rebounds. Jeray Key stepped it up for 15 points and 10 rebounds.

For the Thunderbirds, Coby Gibler lead the charge with 21 points and 16 huge rebounds. Shedrick Nelson had 17 points and Kelly Edwards kicked in 11 with 12 rebounds.

The Lower Columbia Red Devils fight for the 2009 NWACC Championship tomorrow at 7 p.m. against the Clackamas Cougars. The Highline Thunderbirds will see Yakima at 2 p.m. with their quest for third.

WOMEN: Skagit Valley 82, Umpqua 72 [box score]

Scoring an average of 90 points per game, the Umpqua Riverhawks entered the NWAACC tournament with the first place ranking in Horizon Air poll. In their first two games of the tournament, the Riverhawks won by convincing margins of 28 points or more. But, when the fifth ranked Skagit Valley Cardinals went on a 20-2 run to open the game, it was a blow from which the Riverhawks would never recover. Cardinals win, 82-72.

The victorious Cardinals’ leading scorer was Keri Arendse with 18, plus 12 rebounds. Brittany Janz contributed 21. Shante Scott included 14, plus 15 boards.

For the Riverhawks, Kristi Fallin and Miranda Holenstein had 13 each. Cassie Scheffelmaier and Casandra Tiggett added 10 apiece, with 14 rebounds from Tiggett.

Skagit Valley will advance to tomorrow’s 4:30 p.m. championship game against the Lane Titans. Umpqua will return to the court at 2 p.m. to square off against the Clackamas Cougars for third place.

MEN: Clackamas 108, Yakima 101 2 OT [box score]

There was never a comfortable lead for the defending NWAACC champions, the Yakima Valley Yaks. Although they led most the game, it was never by much, and aggressive play from the Clackamas Cougars would keep in close.

With 3:40 to play, the Cougars briefly regained a one point lead. Although they couldn’t keep it, they kept at the Yaks heels and when the time expired, the Yaks and Cougars were all tied at 79, sending the game into overtime. The teams battled through the five minutes of overtime. A missed three-pointer by Cougar Austin Dunn as time expired found the teams locked in at 86, sending it into double OT.

A three pointer from the Yaks kicked off the second OT. However, the Cougars responded and momentum changed with 2:11 to go when S. Fife snagging the ball and ran ahead of the Yaks team for an unchallenged layup, giving the Cougars the largest lead they’d had in the game. With a little over a minute to play, Fife threw the ball to a jumping Chehales Tapscott for a tap in. JC Cook followed with a fader and the Yaks’ hopes of continuing to the championship game disappeared.

For the Cougars, Tapscott posted the double-double with 18 rebounds and 23 points on the board. Dunn contributed 22, going 10 for 11 at the line under pressure. Cook had 21.

The Yaks leading scorers were Rico Sandoval and LeMar Anglin with 19. Rico Wilkins had 18 and Jody Johnson added 16. Johnson and Sandoval had 11 boards each.

With the loss, the Yaks will look to fight for third place at 2 p.m. tomorrow against the loser of the 8 p.m. competition between Lower Columbia and Highline. The Cougars will see the winner of the same game at 8 p.m. to square off for the NWAACC 2009 Basketball Championship.

WOMEN: Lane 57, Clackamas 50 [box score]
In a game that was much closer than the game implied, the Lane Titans defeated the Clackamas Cougars 57-55 in a 2009 NWAACC basketball championship semi-final game.

With only two minutes to play, a field goal from Dayle Powell brought the Cougars within a basket. However, a series of missed shots under the baskets kept the Cougars from getting any closer and the Titans pulled away.

Titan Jennifer Kimbrow posted a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Sarah Whitfield had big boards, pulling down 10. Kourtney Parks added 13 points to the mix.

Three Cougar women added double digit points: Bryanna St. Paul had 14, rylee Peterson had 12, plus 11 rebounds, and Shayla Fetters had 11.

With the win, Lane will keep an eye on the 8 p.m. game between Skagit Valley and Umpqua to determine who they will face in tomorrow’s 4:30 p.m. NWAACC Championship. Clackamas will see the loser of the same game at 2 p.m. for a fight over 3rd place.

MEN: Olympic 81, Chemeketa 79 [box score]

With two minutes to play, the physical and inspired Olympic Ranger and Chemeketa Storm teams were all tied up at 75.

A foul on Duntae Jones sent Landon Boucher to the line for Chemketa to make two. After a missed shot by the Rangers, Danny Berger answered with two points in the paint, making the score 79-75.

Seeing the danger, Ranger L.P. Neloms answered with a three at the top of the key, bringing Olympic within one, at a score of 79-78 with a little over a minute to play.

Aggressive defense from Olympic forced Chemeketa player D. Berger to turn it over.

Ranger Justin Artis put it back in the basket after a missed shot by his teammate, making the score 80-79 with 44 seconds on the clock.

Berger missed a subsequent three that bounced over the backboard and into Olympic hands. A foul sent Ranger Glenn Perkins to the line to make one of two. A successful rebound grab by Storm player D. Berger returned the ball to Chemeketa hands with 23 seconds to play. However, a turnover quickly gave the ball back to the Rangers, who missed a layup and gave the Storm one more chance at the basket with 2.8 seconds on the clock.

On the inbound pass, Ranger Artis grabbed the ball, ending the Chemeketa tournament hopes with a score of 81-79.

Leading Ranger scorers were Jamil Moore with 16 and Neloms with 15. The Storm had five players in the double digits including D. Berger with 18, and Suquan Gary with 17.. John Berger added 15.

As the winner, the Rangers competes for fourth place in the 2009 NWAACC Basketball Championship on Sunday at 12 p.m. against the Bellevue Bulldogs. The losing Chemeketa Storm team go away with a 16-12 record for the 2008-2009 season.

WOMEN: Walla Walla 60, Lower Columbia 47 [box score]
Heading into halftime, the Walla Walla Warriors held a 10 point lead over the Lower Columbia Red Devils. They only extended their lead in the second half, triumphing 60-47.

Leading the Warriors were Nancy Johnson with 20 points and Kati Isham with 18. Holly Weston was the only Red Devil in double digits with 12.

The Walla Walla Warriors will see Yakima Valley Yaks on their quest for fourth place tomorrow at 12 p.m. The Lower Columbia Red Devils finish the tournament and their season with a 17-13 record.

MEN: Bellevue 75, Tacoma 60 [box score]

The loss of starting point guard and West region all star Toussaint Tyler to yesterday’s injury showed in today’s game as the Bellevue Bulldogs fell to the Tacoma Titans, 75-60.

The teams kept in close in the first half, but a better shooting percentage and more opportunities for the net let the Bulldogs pull away in the second twenty minutes. In a bizarre turn of events, the Titan coach left the game and did not return after receiving a technical foul. The Titans bench also received another technical.

For the victorious Bulldogs, Rahiti Marere lead the charge with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Josiah Brensdal had 14, David Maddock added 11 and Matt Lapasin contributed 10.

The leading scorers for the Titans were Darious Walker with 16, Derrick Davis with 14 and Kevin Dancer contributed 11 with 10 rebounds.

The Bulldogs will face the winner of today’s 4 p.m. matchup between Olympic and Chemeketa tomorrow at 12 p.m. as they fight for fourth place. The Titans complete their season 26-5.

WOMEN: Yakima Valley 71, Columbia Basin 56 [box score]

Although they entered halftime with a seven point deficit, the Yakima Valley Yaks outscored the Columbia Basin Hawks 2-to-1 in the second half to come away with the win, 71-56.

Sophomore Chelsey Nill pushed the Yaks forward with 22 points. Nicole DeRosier pushed another 18.

Jordan Brown and Lauren Rada each had 13 points for the Hawks.

Yakima Valley Yaks will look for fourth place in the tournament in tomorrow’s competition against the winner of today’s 4 p.m. game between Walla Walla and Lower Columbia. The Hawks finish their season.18-12.

MEN: Mt. Hood 88, Spokane 80 [box score]
Ranked fifth in the Horizon Air poll heading into the tournament, the Spokane Sasquatch’s first round loss to the hard-charging Lower Columbia Red Devils came as a surprise. However, their loss to seventh ranked Mt. Hood might be a tougher pill to swallow as the Sasquatch ran out of time as they fought back from a 23 point deficit, bringing it within 7 with just under a minute to play.

Spokane is knocked out of the tournament with a loss, 88-80.

Leading the triumphant Saints was Jeremy Jones. His hot hand went eight for 10 for 22 points. Teammates Jamar Johnson had 21 and Earl Jones contributed 18 with 10 assists.

The Sasquatch had three players in the double digits – after an explosive game last night, Zach Humphrey had 13, while teammate Griffon Jones contributed 16. Derek Gianukakis lead the team with 18.

Mt. Hood will battle for fifth place tomorrow against the Whatcom Orcas. Spokane exits the 2009 NWAACC Championship with a 20-8 season record.

WOMEN: Ht. Hood 71, Bellevue 68 [box score]
While their men ran away with the game next door, the lady Mt. Hood Saints found themselves in a hard battle with the determined Bellevue Bulldogs. However, the Saints managed to stay one step ahead of the Bulldogs the entire time and staved off overtime on a missed shot by rushed Bulldog Tiffany Shen as time expired to win 71-68.

Topping the scoring board for the Saints were Shawnelle Campbell with 17, Alexandra Melonson with 16 and Brooklyn Bahme with 15.

Alisha Love was the standout performer for the Bulldogs, responsible for 24 of their points.

The Mt. Hood Saints continue their tournament run and will fight for fifth place on Sunday at 10 a.m. against the Centralia Lady Blazers. The Bellevue Bulldogs wrap up their season 17-14.

MEN: Whatcom 75, Clark 55 [box score]

The Clark Penguins came back once from a 10+ point deficit in the first half against the storming Whatcom Orcas, only to see the Orcas pull away again. With under eight minutes to play, the Penguins went on a run, drawing the score within six. However, that was as close as Clark would get, ultimately falling 75-55.

Orca Ryan Sweet was unstoppable, dropping in 15 of 19 for 32 points and 10 boards. Teammate Zac Andrus shot six of eight for 17 of his own.

For the weary Penguins, Ryan Anderson put 13 on the scoreboard. Brandon Jones added 12.

The Orcas will try for fifth place in the 2009 NWAACC Championship tomorrow at 10 a.m., facing off against the winner of today’s noon Mt. Hood/Spokane match-up. Clark ends the season 18-11.

WOMEN: Centralia 69, Peninsula 56 [box score]

After battling back and forth for most of the first half, the Centralia Lady Blazers pulled away cleanly from the Peninsula Pirates in the second, finishing the game on top, 69-56.

Leading the Lady Blazer charge were Deanna Riffe and Brittany Duerr with 18 and 17 points, respectively. For the Pirates, Brittany Bridges went five of eight behind the three point line for 15 points while teammate Brooke Helpenstell had the hot hand with eight of 12 for a total of 19 points.

Centralia continues their quest for fifth place in the NWAACC Championship tomorrow at 10 a.m. They’ll face the winner of the noon Mt. Hood vs. Bellevue game. The Pirates complete their season 19-11.

FRIDAY MARCH 06
WOMEN: Bellevue 68, Treasure Valley 52 [box score]

While the Treasure Valley Chukars got off more shots, the Belleve Bulldogs shot an impressive 55.6% to finish with a commanding lead, 68-52.

For the Bulldogs, Phyllea Francis lead with 12 points. Tiffany Shen and Sharonda Palmer gave another 11 and 10, respectively.

For the Chuckers, Alla Dzhidzhiyeshvili and Hope Willams scored 14. Nicole Tolman added 10.

The Bellevue Bulldogs live to fight another day tomorrow against Mt. Hood at 12 p.m. The Treasure Valley Chuckars finish the season 15-13.

MEN: Spokane 67, Skagit Valley 64 [box score]

After losing in a blowout against fourth conference seed Lower Columbia in yesterday’s game, Spokane fought to show Skagit Valley why they’re ranked fifth in the Horizon Air Poll with a win over the Skagit Valley Cardinals, 67-64.

The turning point in the game came with 8:30 to play, when a three pointer allowed the Sasquatch to pull away by six. While the Cardinals kept it close until the third minute, a quick unraveling allowed Spokane to pull ahead by 10 with under two minutes to play. However, the Cardinals refused to allow the Sasquatch an easy win and scored nine straight, pulling within one after Andrew Beatty’s on-the-line three made the score 65-64 with 30 seconds to play.

A forced foul sent Sasquatch player Zack Humphrey to the line for two, bring the score to 67-64. Beatty’s for-the-tie three hit the rim, sending the ball out of bounds with 1.4 seconds and without another Cardinal chance.

Chas Kok lead the Cardinals with 20 points. Trent Leach and Brad Balch added 12 each.

For the Sasquatch, Zach Humphrey showed the way with 24. Kevin Bond had 10.

The Spokane Sasquatch continue their tournament dreams on Saturday at 12 p.m. against Mt. Hood. The Skagit Valley Cardinals wrap up their 2008-09 season 16-12.

WOMEN: Umpqua 89, Lower Columbia 61[box score]
The number one ranked team in the league, the Umpqua Riverhawks continued their easy wins with a 89-61 victory over the Lower Columbia Red Devils.

The Riverhawks team revealed the depth of their bench with five players in the double digits, including two with 20 points or more in Kristi Fallin and Miranda Holenstein.

Heidi Jackson lead the lady Devils in scoring and rebounds with 23 and eight, respectively.

Umpqua will look for domination tomorrow against Skagit Valley at 8 p.m. Lower Columbia hopes to avoid elimination with their 4 p.m. match up with Walla Walla.

MEN: Lower Columbia 74, Chemeketa 57[box score]

The Lower Columbia Red Devils can continue to boast they’ve never trailed in this tournament with the first points on the board and a final score of 74-57 over the Chemeketa Storm.

Alex King was the standout performer for the Red Devils, sinking nine of 11 and both free throws for 20 points and pulled down 16 boards. Jeray Key added 17 points and Conrad Ritchie contributed 14.

For the Storm, John Berger lead the charge with 19 points. Suquan Gary had 11.

The Red Devils continue their quest to the championship tomorrow at 8 p.m. against Highline. Chemeketa will see Olympic at 4 p.m.

WOMEN: Clackamas 63, Yakima Valley 57 [box score]
While their male counterparts fought tooth and nail next door, the lady Cougars charged ahead of the Yakima Valley Yaks for a 63-57 win.

Rylee Peterson dominated for the Cougars with nearly half of their points – 28 – and 13 rebounds. Teammate Bryanna St. Paul included an impressive 20 of her own.

For the Yaks, Chelsey Nill had the hot hand on the threes, dropping down four of five with a total of 14 points. Kaitlin McBride added 11 and 7 boards.

Clackamas returns to the court against Lane at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Yakima Valley will see Columbia Basin at 2 p.m.

MEN: Clackamas 71, Tacoma 60 [box score]
The Clackamas Cougars first place rank heading into the tournament didn’t scare the third-ranked Tacoma Titans in a scrappy back-and-forth game that only had clarity in the final two minutes as the Cougars pulled away two win 71-60.

After starting the second 20 minutes ahead, the Cougars lagged close behind by five points or less for heart of the second half. An ankle injury removed Titan Toussaint Tyler from the field with a little more than 10 minutes to play. Two points from Cougar Austin Dunn with 5:48 to play returned Clackamas to the lead, 56-55.

From there, the big cats toyed with the Titans, scraping out another four points as the Titans went 1-for-6 at the line. However, as the clock ticked over to two minutes, the Titans surged, fueled Anthony Enriquez’ successful free throw and second shot put back by Kevin Dancer, bringing the score to 60-59.

It was as close as Tacoma would get. The team from Oregon City took control, spreading out baskets between Dunn, JC Cook, Jeff Dorman and an enthusiastic, dominating basket by Chehales Tapscott to finish it off.

The Titans were lead by injured Tyler with 19 points, and Dancer’s 17, plus 12 rebounds. The Cougars’ points leader, Dunn, offered up 27 points, while teammate Cook added another 20. Tapscott contributed 12, with 13 rebounds.

Clackamas faces Yakima tomorrow at 6 p.m. Tacoma will see Bellevue at 2 p.m.

WOMEN: Lane 68, Columbia Basin 59 [box score]
The third-ranked Lane Titans were never in serious trouble as they defeated the seventh-ranked Columbia Basin Hawks by a score of 68-59.

Lane was paced by Theresa Brown's 8 of 9 shooting from the field and 6 of 6 shooting from the line for 22 points. She also dominated the boards for 10 rebounds and a pair of blocks.

Lauren Rada and Jordan Brown combined for 35 points for the Hawks.

Lane advances to the semifinals against the winner of the Clackamas - Yakima Valley game tomorrow at 6pm. The loss drops Bellevue into the 4th/7th place consolation bracket again the loser of the Clackamas - Yakima Valley game tomorrow at 2pm.

MEN: Yakima Valley 79, Bellevue 67 [box score]
The sixth-ranked Yakima Valley Yaks took a 17-15 lead at 11:05 in the first period and never gave up the lead as they defeated the fourth-ranked Bellevue Bulldogs by 12, 79-67. The Bulldogs made several strong attempts to catch the Yaks, but couldn't find enough. fire power.

Rico Wilkins was on fire for the Yakima Valley with 12 for 20 shooting from the field, including 8 from beyond the arc, for 35 points. Jody Johnson was huge on the boards with 18 rebounds to go along with his 5 assists and 3 steals.

Matt Lapasin led the Bulldogs on 5 of 7 from the field for 13 points.

The win moves the Yaks into the semifinals against the winner of the Clackamas - Tacoma game tomorrow at 6pm. The loss drops Bellevue into the 4th/7th place consolation bracket against the loser of the Clackamas - Tacoma game tomorrow at 2pm.

WOMEN: Skagit Valley 69, Walla Walla 63 [box score]
The sixth-ranked Walla Walla Warriors and fifth-ranked Skagit Valley Cardinals battled a tight contest for three quarters of the game that featured 11 lead changes. The Cardinals took the lead with less than 10 minutes remaining and held on the rest of the way for a seven point win.

Keri Arendse and Brittany Janz combined for 37 points and 15 rebounds to pace the Cardinals.

Nancy Johnson led the Warriors with 17 points while Kati Isham and Jeni Gabriel combined on another 27.

The win moves Skagit Valley into a semifinal match with either Umpqua or Lower Columbia tomorrow at 8pm. Walla Walla will move into the 4th/7th pace consolation bracket and take on the the loser of the Umpqua - Lower Columbia game tomorrow at 4pm.

MEN: Highline 95, Olympic 78 [box score]
The eighth-ranked Olympic Rangers sputtered on both side of the court and found themselves in a 24-4 hole in the first seven minutes of the game against the second-ranked Highline Thunderbirds. The Rangers got back on track and narrowed the gap to 39-30 by the half, but Highline again opened the gap and cruised to a 18 point win.

Five Thunderbirds scored in double digit figures with Coby Gibler leading the way on his game high 18 points. Gibler, Shedrick Nelson and Kelly Edwards dominated the boards with 7 rebounds apiece as Highline out-rebounded the Rangers 51-30.

Tysaih Curry scored 15 points and 9 rebounds to lead Olympic while Brandon Thompson and Duntae Jones combined for another 27 points.

The win propels Highline into a semifinal match-up with either Lower Columbia or Chemeketa tomorrow at 8pm. Olympic drops into the 4th/7th place consolation bracket against either Lower Columbia or Chemeketa at 4pm tomorrow.

WOMEN: Peninsula 86, South Puget Sound 55 [box score]
The South Puget Sound Clippers hung with the Peninsula Pirates for the opening six minutes but a series of three pointers by Dena Houser and Brittany Bridges opened up a double digit lead as the Clipper offense began to sputter.

Houser led a quartet of double digit scorers with a game high 22 points. Sam Flett had 16 points and 9 boards while Brittany Bridges notched 14 points, eight rebounds and a pair of blocks.

Marissa Magalei and Kaitlin Nielsen combined for 34 of the Clippers 53 points. Nielsen and Alicia Richardson collected a combined 16 rebounds.

The win moves Peninsula into a consolation bracket game verses eighth-ranked Centralia tomorrow morning at 10am. The loss ends South Puget Sounds season with a record of 15-13.

MEN: Whatcom 82 Blue Mountain 80 [box score]
The Whatcom Orcas lead most of the way, but Blue Mountain timberwolves hung close until they made a run that tied the game at 69 to send the contest into overtime. With Whatcom up 81-77, Sam Grogan buried a huge three pointer to bring the Timberwolves to within one, but they couldn't find any more as the Orcas advance on a 82-80 overtime victory.

Ryan Sweet had a monster game as he led the Orcas with 29 points and 12 rebounds while Zac Andrus and Sean Green netted 11 apiece for another 22.

Blue Mountain's Jamar Ransome poured in 24 points and Sam Grogan grabbed 11 boards to go with his 18 points.

The win moves Whatcom into a match up with Clark in the consolation bracket. Game time set for tomorrow at 10am. The loss ends Blue Mountain's season with an overall record of 15-15.

WOMEN: Centralia 63, Whatcom 39 [box score]
The Whatcom Orcas stayed within five of the Centralia Trailblazers for most of the first half until just before the half when the Blazers push out the an eight point advantage, 27-19. Centralia controlled scoring in the paint during the second half and finished off the Orcas 63-39.

Courtney May led the Blazers with 16 points followed by Megan Peabody with 13 and Deanna Riffe with 10. Riffe also pulled down 8 boards for Centralia.

Tara Visser had a double-double for the Orcas scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds along with 5 blocked shots.

The win moves eighth-ranked Centralia into a consolation bracket match up with the winner of the South Puget Sound - Peninsula contest tomorrow at 10am. The loss ends the season the the Orcas who finished the year with a 15-11 record.

MEN: Clark 64, Linn-Benton 59 [box score]
The Linn-Benton Roadrunners pulled out to a 13 point lead with 3:35 left in the first half, but went flat for a long period while the Clark Penguins turned up the heat and regained the lead six minutes into the second half. Clark went up by 13 with 9:48 remaining to play. The Roadrunners fought back but could not close the gap as Clark took a 64-59 victory.

The Penguins were led by Brandon Jones' 20 points and 8 rebounds. Zack Walder, Travis Garrison and Arman Kalan each finished with 8 points.

Tyson Christie and Scott Teutsch combined to score 31 for Linn-Benton. Teutsch also tallied 11 boards for the contest.

The win moves Clark into a consolation bracket match-up with the winner of the Whatcom - Blue Mountain game tomorrow at 10am. Linn-Benton finishes the 2008-09 campaign with a 12-16 overall record.

WOMEN: Mt Hood 83, Highline 64 [box score]
The Highline Thunderbirds and Mt Hood Saints traded leads until mid-way through the
first half when the Saints began to pull ahead and maintained a comfortable lead the rest of the way.

Brooklyn Bahme went 7 for 11 from the field and 7 of 7 at the line for 21 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds. Alexandra Melonson and Katie Smith combined on another 30 points. Smith also controlled the middle pulling down 13 boards while Bahme picked the Thunderbird pockets for 5 steals.

Highline's Jazzmn Montgomery and Ariassa Wilson scored 14 apiece while Tera McCann-Soushek and Dani Carlman combined for another 23. Tera McCann-Soushek ripped down 13 boards for the Thunderbirds.

The win moves Mt Hood into a match up with the winner of the Bellevue - Treasure Valley tomorrow at 12pm. Highline's loss ends their season with a 16-14 overall record.

MEN: Mt Hood 78, Columbia Basin 70 [box score]
The Columbia Basin Hawks led most of the way until the Mt Hood Saints seized the lead with 14 minutes remaining in the second half and held on for an eight point margin of victory.

Four players scored in double digit numbers for the Saints led by Mike Wohlers' 17. Cody Mortenson (13) and Jeremy Jones (10) tallied 23 boards as Mt Hood out rebounded the Hawks 55-29.

For the Hawks, Skylar Montoya busted out for 28 points while Andy Maxwell and Morgan Hyslop combined for 23 more.

The win pits Mt Hood against the winner of the Spokane vs. Skagit Valley game tomorrow at 12pm. The loss ends the season for Columbia Basin with an overall record of 16-10.

THURSDAY MARCH 05
MEN: Chemeketa 84, Skagit Valley 61

The Chemeketa Storm took an early lead in the contest and built it into a 28 point lead by the second half before putting away the Skagit Valley Cardinals by 23, 84-61.

Four players scored in double digit figures for the Storm led by Danny Berger's 19. Landon Boucher (17 pts), John Berger (15 pts) and Danny Derry (10 pts) combined for another 42. Derry and Seiji Blume controlled the boards combining for 17 rebounds. Blume also swatted 3 Cardinal shots and swiped 3 others.

Andrew Beatty led the way for Skagit Valley with 16 points and 5 rebounds.

For the Storm, the win sets up a match up of with Lower Columbia tomorrow at 8pm. The loss sends the Cardinals into a 10pm consolation bracket match up with fifth-ranked Spokane.

WOMEN: Lower Columbia 74, Treasure Valley 66
It was a tight match between the Lower Columbia Red Devils and the Treasure Valley Chukars in the first half which resulted in a 27-27 tie at the break. The Red Devils came out of the locker room and established a lead they never relinquished.

The Devils were led by Holly Weston's 20 points and Sadie Salte's 17. Weston also led in rebounds with 7 and assists with 4.

Alla Dzhidzhiyeshvili, Nicole Tolman and Hope Williams combined for 48 points led by Dzhidzhiyeshvili's 20.

The win propels Lower Columbia into a match with top-ranked Umpqua tomorrow at 8pm. Treasure Valley will take on Bellevue in the consolation bracket at 10pm.

MEN: Lower Columbia 69 Spokane 43 [box score]
The fifth-ranked Spokane Sasquatch got more than it could handle as the Lower Columbia Red Devils pounced early and never let off the gas in a 69-43 surprise.

the devils were paced by a trio of double digit scorers as Marice Tolliver (15 pts), Alex King(12 pts) and Ryan Freeman (11 pts) combined for over half of the Red Devil points. Marice Tolliver lead the team on the boards with 7 rebounds while Tolliver and Tim Roffler combined for 10 assists.

Derek Gianukakis led the way for Spokane with 14 points and 7 rebounds.

Lower Columbia will play the winner of the 10pm game (Skagit Valley - Chemeketa) tomorrow at 8pm while Spokane will take on the loser of that game in the consolation bracket at 10pm.

WOMEN: Umpqua 101 Bellevue 53 [box score]
Top-ranked Umpqua Riverhawks put on an awesome display of offense and defense as they cruised past the Bellevue Bulldogs 101-53.

Kristen Fallin nailed 7 of 12 three points en route to scoring 25 points. Another trio of Riverhawks tallied double digit figures as Cassie Scheffelmaier got 17, Miranda Holenstein 13 and Kirsten Strawn 11. The Umpqua defense collectively got 14 steals with Mykiea Russell leading the way with 4 to go along with her 8 assists. Cassandra Tiggett controlled the middle pulling down 16 boards and blocking a pair of shots.

Amanda Harms was the bright spot in the scoring rotation for Bellevue as she shot 4 of 8 from the beyond the arc, scoring 14 points.

The win advances Umpqua against the winner of tonight's Lower Columbia - Treasure Valley game tomorrow at 8pm. Bellevue will take on the loser of that game at 10pm tomorrow evening.

MEN: Clackamas 76 Whatcom 72 [box score]
Top-ranked Clackamas Cougars edged the Whatcom Orcas in a contest that featured sixteen lead changes throughout the entire game.

Four Cougars finished in double figure scoring led by Chehales Tapscott 21 followed by JC Cook's 17 pts, Austin Dunn's 14 and Zach Wilde's 11. Tapscott also led in rebounds with 9 and Shane Fife got 3 steals.

Ryan Sweet led the Orcas with 22 while Zac Andrus and Sean Green each got 14 points. Sweet was huge on the boards with 14 rebounds.

The win sets up a meeting of top-ranked Clackamas and third-ranked Tacoma tomorrow at 6pm while Whatcom faces Blue Mountain in the consolation bracket at 12pm.

WOMEN: Yakima Valley 58 South Puget Sound 45 [box score]
The South Puget Sound Clippers gave second-ranked Yakima Valley Yaks all the game they could handle through 3/4 of the game - Then the Yaks cranked up their intensity on both offense and defense and took over the contest rest of the way.

Kaitlin McBride paced the Yaks with 18 points and Nicole DeRosier dumped in another 13. Kaiti Harris was big in the middle with 9 points and 9 rebounds while McBride created havoc for the Clipper ball handlers with 8 steals.

Kaitlin Nielsen led the Clippers with 12 points and Whitney Moser pulled down 9 boards while Kiara Honore dished four assists.

The win pits Yakima Valley against fourth-ranked Clackamas tomorrow at 6pm while South Puget Sound will meet Peninsula at 12pm in the consolation bracket.

MEN: Bellevue 76, Linn-Benton 53 [box score]
Linn-Benton challenged the fourth-ranked Bellevue Bulldogs for half of the first period, then hit long scoring drought and never recovered from a 27 point deficit.

The Bulldogs were led in scoring by Matt Lapasin's 15 points and David Maddock's 14. Rukari Austin had 10 boards and 2 blocks.

The Roadrunners' Tyson Christie notched 21 points and 7 rebounds.

The win sends Bellevue into a match up with sixth-ranked Yakima Valley tomorrow at 4pm. Linn-Benton will meet Clark tomorrow at 10am in the consolation bracket.

WOMEN: Columbia Basin 59, Centralia 58 OT [box score]
Columbia Basin took the early lead until mid-way through the first half when Centralia took over and built an eleven point lead mid way through the second half. The Hawks then nearly held the Trailblazer offense scoreless for the last half of the second period to tie the score 55 all and send the game into overtime where the Hawks prevailed 59-58.

Jordan Brown sparked the Hawks with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals. Caitlin Dill added eight points along with her team high 9 rebounds while Lauren Rada added another 9 points.

Brittany Duerr had a big game for Centralia as she scored 26 points with Deanna Riffe contibuting 15 of her own. Riffe also had a game high 11 rebounds.

The win advances seventh-ranked Columbia Basin in a match up with third-ranked Lane tomorrow at 4pm. Eighth-ranked Centralia will meet Whatcom at 10am in the consolation bracket tomorrow morning.

MEN: Highline 73, Columbia Basin 65 [box score]
Second-ranked Highline jump out to a eight point half time margin over the hometown Columbia basin Hawks and never relinquished the lead. The Hawks pulled to within two late in the game but couldn't catch the Thunderbirds as they again increased the margin.

The Thunderbirds were led by Kelly Edwards (19 points), Vaughn Gaines (15 pts) and Coby Gibler (14 pts). Gibler also pulled down 13 boards while Gaines led the team in assists with 10.

Skylar Montoya was the Hawks high scorer with 19 with Andy Maxwell and Morgan Hyslop combining for another 25. Travis Iverson ripped down 11 boards and Morgan Hyslop had 4 steals.

The Thunderbirds advance to play eighth-ranked Olympic tomorrow at 2pm. The Hawks will take on seventh-ranked Mt Hood at 8am in the consolation bracket.

WOMEN: Skagit Valley 79, Mt Hood 72 [box score]
Fifth-ranked Skagit Valley took a 37-33 half time lead and built it into a 23 point lead in the second. Mt Hood then began to hit from beyond the arc to cut the lead in the last few minutes, but couldn't catch the Cardinals before the final buzzer.

The Cardinals were led Brittany Janz with 25 points and Keri Arendse with 20. Janz and Arendse also grabbed most of the boards for Skagit Valley as they combined on 25 rebounds. Alex Love picked the Saints pockets for 4 balls in the game.

Brooklyn Bahme and Chelsey Ramos were the scoring leaders for the Saints. Bahme had 17 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists while Ramos tallied 11 points.

The win sends Skagit Valley into a 2pm match up with sixth-ranked Walla Walla tomorrow afternoon. The Saints will take on Highline in the consolation bracket at 8am.

MEN: Tacoma 83, Blue Mountain 65 [box score]
The Blue Mountain Timberwolves led for much of the first half, but the third-ranked Tacoma Titans grabbed the lead with 4 minutes to play in the the half and never looked back.

Kevin Dancer enjoyed a huge game with 31 points on 12 of 23 shooting and 7 of 10 at the charity stripe. Dancer also grabbed a game high 18 rebounds and 5 blocks while Darious Walker and Anthony Gittens combined for 15 more. Glittens also scored 10 points and Toussaint Tyler scored 17 more.

Four Timberwolves scored in double figures led by Roshun Wynne's 14. Team mates Sam Grogan (14pts), Jamar Ransome (11pts) and Khabir Muhammad (10pts) combined for another 35 for Blue Mountain. Ransome pulled down 11 boards and Roshun Wynne hasd 6 assists.

Tacoma will meet the winner of Clackamas vs. Whatcom game tomorrow at 6pm while Blue Mountain will take on the loser of that game at 12pm.

WOMEN: Clackamas 65 Peninsula 51 [box score]

The fourth-ranked Clackamas Cougars and the Peninsula Pirates traded leads until near halftime when Clackamas pulled ahead and never trailed the rest of the way. The Pirates managed to keep it a close contest but the Cougars finally pulled away with less than three minutes remaining.

Rylee Peterson ripped the nets for 24 points, pulled down 17 boards and blocked 5 shots to lead the Cougars. Dayle Powell and Brittany Duty both hit double figure scoring combining for 25 points.

Sam Fett lead the Pirates in scoring with 17 points while Brooke Helpenstell added 13 more along with her 12 rebounds. Britney Yamane and Krystal Tolliver had 3 steals each.

The win moved the Cougars into a macthup with the winner of Yakima Valley vs. South Puget Sound tomorrow at 6pm. Peninsula will take on the loser of the Yakima - S. Puget Sound game at 12pm.

MEN: Yakima Valley 67, Clark 39 [box score]
Sixth-ranked Yakima Valley jumped out to a big first half lead and never looked back as the Clark Penguins struggled to get their offense going.

The Yaks were led by Rico Wilkins' 16 points with Nico Sandoval and LeMar Anglin combining on another 21. Anglin led the team with 10 rebounds and Mario Allen picked the Penguins for 5 steals.

The Penguins were led by Grant Ziegler's9 points and Brandon Jones 8. Arman Kalan was huge on the boards with 10.

Yakima Valley will advance to meet the winner of the Bellevue vs. Linn-Benton game tomorrow at 4pm while Clark will play the loser at 10am.

WOMEN: Lane 78, Whatcom 61 [box score]
Third-ranked Lane got a work-out from Whatcom, the North's third seed, but the Titans proved to be too much for the Orcas as Lane moves on in the winner's bracket.

Lane was led by Carmen Williams' 17 points with Theresa Brown and Richan Modderman also scoring in double figures with 13 and 10. Brown pulled down a game high 15 rebounds.

Whatcom's Sarah Cicchitti ripped the nets for 19 points and grabbed a team high 7 rebounds while Brittney Finkbonner scored 11 more and Taria Cicchitti netted 9.

The win propels the Titans into a match up with the winner of the Centralia vs. Columbia Basin game tomorrow at 4pm while Whatcom will meet the loser at 10am.

MEN: Olympic 80, Mt Hood 75 [box score]
The Olympics Rangers were led by
Duntae Jones and
L.P.
Neloms who combined for 30 points as the eighth-ranked Rangers won their opener against the seventh ranked Saint of Mt Hood.

The scores remained relatively close throughout the game with Mt Hood leading most of the way until the mid-way point in the second half when the Rangers took the lead and held on for the victory.

The Saints were led by Mike Wohlers' 19 points and 6 assists. Jeremy Jones added 15 while Cody Mortenson (13pts) and Chris Weitzel pulled down a combined 21 boards. Earl Jones had 11 points to go with his 11 points.

The Rangers Jones and Neloms both scored 15 while Justin Artis added 12 and Patrick Lewis chipped in 10. Tysaih Curry led the team in rebounds with10. Artis and Jones picked up a combines 11 assists.

The Rangers advance to play the winner of the Highline vs. Columbia Basin tomorrow at 2pm while Mt Hood will take on the loser of that same contest tomorrow at 8am.

WOMEN: Walla Walla 73 Highline 50 [box score]

Sixth-ranked Walla Walla Warriors led by as much as 26 points as they cruised past West third seed Highline thunderbirds 73-50.

Nancy Johnson led the Warriors in scoring with 20 points and Kati Isham added 18 to go along with her game high 12 rebounds. Jeni Gabriel led the squad with 7 assists.

The Thunderbirds were led by Jazzmn Montgomery and Kameka Nolen who each scored 10 apiece.

Walla Walla advances to play the winner of Skagit Valley vs. Mt Hood tomorrow at 2pm while the Thunderbird will take on the loser of that game at 8am.

2009 NWAACC Men's Basketball All-Stars
2009-03-07 11:08:35

NORTHERN REGION

First Team
Jesse Bean, Peninsula
Sam Cartmell, Bellevue
Duntae Jones, Olympic
Rahiti Marere, Bellevue
Ryan Sweet, Whatcom

Second Team
Zac Andrus, Whatcom
Justin Artis, Olympic
Wil Bush, Seattle
Daniel Davidson, Skagit Valley
Stephen Waltman, Everett

Most Valuable Player
Chris Grounds, Everett

Coach of the Year
Jeremy Eggers, Bellevue

EASTERN REGION

First Team
Jody Johnson, Yakima Valley
Skyler Montoya, Columbia Basin
Damal Neil, Spokane
Jamar Ransome, Blue Mountain
Nico Sandoval, Yakima Valley

Second Team
Greg Giese, Wenatchee Valley
Zack Humphrey, Spokane
Jeff Ranstrom, Big Bend
Ray Stout, Walla Walla
Roshun Wynne, Blue Mountain

Most Valuable Player
Rico Wilkins, Yakima Valley

Coach of the Year
Lane Schumacher, Columbia Basin

WESTERN REGION

First Team
Cory Gibler, Highline
Alex King, Lower Columbia
Shedrick Nelson, Highline
Derek Thurston, Clark
Toussaint Tyler, Tacoma

Second Team
Ben Bennest, Pierce
Kelly Edwards, Highline
Brandon Jones, Clark
Nick Schultens, Grays Harbor
Jake Wilcox, Green River

Most Valuable Player
Kevin Dancer, Tacoma

Coach of the Year
Che Dawson, Highline

SOUTHERN REGION

First Team
Danny Berger, Chemeketa
Tyson Christie, Linn-Benton
Austin Dunn, Clackamas
Earl Jones, Mt. Hood
Chehales Tapscott, Clackamas

Second Team
Landon Boucher, Chemeketa
Jeff Dorman, Clackamas
Jamar Johnson, Mt. Hood
Justin King, SW Oregon
Mike Wohlers, Mt. Hood

Most Valuable Player
J C Cook, Clackamas

Coach Of The Year
Clif Wegner, Clackamas

2009 NWAACC Women's Basketball All-Stars
2009-03-06 21:25:01

NORTHERN REGION

First Team
Keri Arendse, Skagit Valley
Brittney Finkbonner, Whatcom
Samantha Flett, Peninsula
Brooke Helpenstell, Peninsula
Sherika Puckett, Seattle

Second Team
Keena Hopkins, Everett
Ashley Housden, Everett
Alyssa Koller, Skagit Valley
Amy Rochowiak, Bellevue
Tiffany Tyler, Whatcom

Most Valuable Player
Brittany Janz, Skagit Valley

Coach of the Year
Steve Epperson, Skagit Valley

EASTERN REGION

First Team
Jordan Brown, Columbia Basin
Nicole DeRosier, Yakima Valley
Nancy Johnson, Walla Walla
Kelsay Stillar, Spokane
Hope Williams, Treasure Valley

Second Team
Richelle Daily, Spokane
Lauren Daling, Wenatchee Valley
Megan Howerton, Big Bend
Kaitlin McBride, Yakima Valley
Chelsey Nill, Yakima Valley
Lauren Rada, Columbia Basin

Most Valuable Player
Kati Isham, Walla Walla

Coach of the Year
Cody Butler, Yakima Valley

WESTERN REGION

First Team
Alychia Colon – Pierce
Jazzmn Montgomery – Highline
Micha Pringle – Grays Harbor
Deanna Riffe – Centralia
Sadie Salte – Lower Columbia

Second Team
Kiara Honore – South Puget Sound
Heidi Jackson – Lower Columbia
Randi Olson – Highline
Saundrea Polk – Green River
Mandy Wall – Clark

Most Valuable Player
Brittany Duerr – Centralia

Coach of the Year
Gary Viggers - Centralia

SOUTHERN REGION

First Team
Theresa Brown, Lane
Sheena Cole, Lane
Miranda Holenstein, Umpqua
Rylee Peterson, Clackamas
Cassie Scheffelmaier, Umpqua

Second Team
Shayla Fetters, Clackamas
Alexandra Melonson, Mt. Hood
Dayle Powell, Clackamas
Siutiti Takai, Umpqua
Carmen Williams, Lane

Most Valuable Player
Kristi Fallin, Umpqua

Coach Of The Year
Dave Stricklin, Umpqua

SunMarts Around Toyota Center Kennewick Offering Presale Tickets
2009-02-27 08:53:49

SunMart's surrounding the Toyota Center are offering presale tickets at six locations. The tickets will be available starting Friday, February 28 through Tuesday, March 3.

SunMart Locations:
- Deschutes Ave and Columbia Center Blvd
- Tapteal and Columbia Center Blvd
- Clearwater Ave and Kellogg St
- Canal St and Edison
- Clearwater Ave and Leslie Rd
- 27th and Hwy 395

Tri-Cities Gearing Up for NWAACC Basketball Championships
2009-02-27 08:50:13

The excitement is continuing to build for next week's NWAACC Basketball Championships! All of the teams are currently set with only a few seeding issues to be resolved Saturday. Several media outlets in the Tri-Cities are producing stories about the event, including a lead story on KEPR-TV 19.

See the video

Women's Basketball - Skagit Valley and Yakima Valley secure Region Championships
2009-02-17 13:13:21

Vancouver, WA - The Skagit Valley Cardinals and Yakima Valley Yaks have both secured their share of a 2009 Region Championship. In the North Region, Skagit Valley secured a share of the title by beating Peninsula on Valentines Day. With three games remaining, the Cardinals are three games ahead of the Pirates. Since the Cardinals swept Peninsula in league play, the Cardinals are guaranteed the number one seed in the North.

In the East Region, Yakima Valley defeated defending NWAACC Champions Columbia Basin to win the East Region and claim the number one seed for the NWAACC Championships.

Centralia and Lower Columbia both punched their tickets to the Toyota Center next month with decisive wins this past weekend. The two teams are tied atop the West Region and will face off in Longview, WA Wednesday, February 18th.

The South remains a heated contest with three teams already qualified for the playoffs and still in contention for the regular season championship. Number one ranked Umpqua is tied with Lane while Clackamas is a game behind.

NWAACC Basketball Championship Brackets
2009-02-10 14:10:16

Vancouver, WA - The NWAACC finalized the 2009 NWAACC Basketball Championship brackets Monday. The basketball championships are being held at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, WA for the eighth consecutive year.

2009 NWAACC Women's Championship Bracket

2009 NWAACC Men's Championship Bracket

SVC women give Epperson win No. 700 - Skagit Valley Herald
2009-02-10 10:50:13

Skagit Valley blasts Edmonds 91-29

Trevor Pyle can be reached at 360-416-2156 or by e-mail at tpyle@ skagitpublishing.com

By TREVOR PYLE

Staff Writer Mount Vernon — When the Skagit Valley College women's basketball team downed Edmonds 91-29 Saturday, it was more than another win. It was a milestone for head coach Steve Epperson.

Brittany Janz had 27 points and seven rebounds to help lead the Cardinals to a big Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges North Division win. The win was coach Steve Epperson's 700th at the Skagit Valley Cardinals' helm.

"We played the best 40 minutes we played all year. Not just scoring but playing hard all 40 minutes," Epperson said. "We maintained our intensity from start to finish."

He is the only head coach in the program’s history, but was quick after the game to shift the spotlight to some of the others who he said have helped the program thrive, including longtime assistant Deb Castle.

"You only accomplish (700 wins) with a great school, with recruiting the right kids, with great fans and with a terrific assistant coach," he said. "I'm just a part of it, and it takes all the parts."

Epperson is 700-207 in his career, and has helped guide the Cardinals to four Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges championships, with Skagit winning the title in 1988, 1994, 1996 and 1998. The Cardinals have been to the championship game six times.

Keri Arendse scored 18 points for the Cardinals (11-0 division, 19-1 overall), Alyssa Koller scored 17 and Alex Love had six points and seven assists.

Cougars & Riverhawks continue to hold #1 in latest hoops poll
2009-02-03 18:23:22

Vancouver, WA - The Umpqua Riverhawks (7-1, 20-2) continue to hold the #1 ranking, as they have all season, but lost a couple of first place votes since the Jan 20th poll. The Yakima Valley Yaks (7-0, 15-5), on a nine game win streak, move into second with big wins over three teams in this week's top eight. The Yaks collected a first place vote while Clackamas (7-1, 16-4) dips a spot to third despite a pair of first place votes.

On the men's side, the Clackamas Cougars (8-0, 20-2) picked up all eight first place votes to hold on to the top ranking. The Cougars have held the top spot since the January 6th poll. The Tacoma Titans (8-1, 19-2), who slipped to third in the Jan 20th poll, move back into second as the Olympic Rangers (6-1, 16-2) slips to third this week.

Women's Basketball (prev)
1. Umpqua (1)
2. Yakima Valley (3)
3. Clackamas (2)
4. Lane (4)
Complete poll

Men's Basketball (prev)
1. Clackamas (1)
2. Tacoma (3)
3. Olympic (2)
4. Yakima Valley (6)
Complete poll

NWAACC Alum Johnson snags third Player of the Week honor
2009-02-03 10:16:38

by: Jon Kasper of Big Sky Conference
Monday, 2/2/2009 Updated: 2/2/2009 3:53 PM

Montana State’s Divaldo Mbunga and Montana's Anthony Johnson have been selected as the co-Big Sky Conference men's basketball Players of the Week after both led their respective teams to victories over Eastern Washington and Portland State.

Mbunga, a 6-foot-9, senior center from Angola, shot 75 percent from the field and averaged 14 points and nine rebounds per game. Mbunga had seven offensive rebounds, including five against Eastern Washington.

Mbunga recorded his third double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds in a 69-65 victory over Eastern Washington on Thursday. He made 7-of-10 from the field, and also registered three blocks and an assist. Mbunga tallied 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field and pulled down eight rebounds with three assists and two blocks of an 85-82 upset of Portland State on Sunday.

Johnson, a 6-2 junior guard from Tacoma, Wash., averaged 17.5 points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game as Montana moved to 7-3 in conference play and extended its home winning streak to nine games.

Johnson scored 15 points with three assists in a 72-65 upset of Portland State on Thursday. Johnson made 4-of-6 shots from the floor, and went 6-of-7 from the free-throw line.

Johnson netted a team-high 20 points with a career-high six assists, three rebounds and two steals in a 60-52 win over Eastern Washington on Saturday. Johnson was 6-of-7 from the free-throw line, and 6-of-12 from the field.

Johnson has scored in double figures in 11 consecutive games, and is averaging a league-best 21.1 points per game in league play.

This is Mbunga's first Player of the Week award this season, and the third of his career. Johnson has been named Player of the Week three times this season.

Link to original article

NWAACC reaches near 100% participation for Coaches vs. Cancer
2009-01-31 00:46:43

Vancouver, WA - The NWAACC is pleased to announce that it has reached near 100% participation from all 34 schools for the Coaches verses Cancer movement this weekend. Some schools have also joined in with donations through collections and gate receipts for Saturday's games.

If anyone would like to join the cause via donations in any form, please contact Clif Wegner, cwegner@clackamas.edu.

From Fred Schnell, NWAACC Men's Basketball Commissioner:
"Coaches, I just want to say how proud I am to be associated with all of you. Your response has been so generous, empathetic and professional. It speaks well of our organization. I would also like to publicly applaud Clif Wegner for being the force behind this and getting the ball rolling."

Coaches vs. Cancer Suits & Sneakers set for Jan. 30-Feb 1 (updated)
2009-01-28 12:00:56

NABC Members Raise Awareness in Battle vs. Cancer

Jan. 8, 2009

The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), in conjunction with the American Cancer Society, invites you to join the team for the 2009 Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers awareness weekend January 30-February 1, 2009.

The NABC is encouraging member coaches and their staff to wear sneakers with their suits at games held that weekend to show support for the Coaches vs. Cancer program. Suits and Sneakers will unite coaches from across the country in the common effort to raise cancer awareness in their communities.
Read more

A Message From Coach Wegner, Clackamas CC
Please join up with NWAACC in Coaches vs. Cancer!

Please join and support NWAACC men's and women's basketball teams this Saturday night as they unite with college basketball coaches around the nation in the Coaches vs. Cancer program.

Clackamas CC will be donating half of the gate and all the donations collected at the game vs. Southwestern Oregon. We need all your help and support and generosity to defeat this opponent who doesn't fight fair. Both the men's and women's staffs from Clackamas and SW Oregon will be wearing Suits and Sneakers this weekend.

We would also like you ask you to join coaches in the NWAACC and across the nation to help raise awareness for Coaches vs. Cancer by wearing white basketball sneakers with your suits for this weekend's games.

We already have commitments from Clackamas, Southwestern Oregon, Highline, Peninsula, Mount Hood, Shoreline and Seattle to participate. We are striving for 100% participation throughout the NWAACC. Please join us. Everyone. If you want to donate, great! But just dressing and participating for awareness is great too.

Peninsula Pirates Coach Peter Stewart comments: "We are all aware of someone that has been affected by cancer. Our basketball community was saddened in the passing of our friend and colleague Jim Worden. It is a small thing that we can do to help bring awareness to not only the terrible disease of cancer but also the need for healthier living amongst all of our communities."

Clackamas & Umpqua hold top rankings the latest Horizon Air polls
2009-01-20 16:33:29

Vancouver, WA - The Clackamas Cougars (4-0, 16-2) hold the top spot in the men's Horizon Air/Coaches' Poll for the second consecutive poll while the Umpqua Riverhawks (4-0, 17-1) continue to sway the voters on the women's side. This marks the fourth consecutive poll that the Riverhawks have remained atop of the women's rankings.

Both the Cougars and Riverhawks collected seven of eight first place votes. The Olympic men (6-0, 14-1) who jumped from fifth to second place this week garnered a first place ballot, while the second-ranked Clackamas women (4-2, 13-3) earned a first place vote in the ladies' poll.

A pair of teams made their season debut in the polls. Highline men (5-0, 10-6) collected 31 votes to move into fifth and the Big Bend ladies earned nine votes to enter the poll in the eighth spot.

Men (prev)
1. Clackamas (1)
2. Olympic (5)
3. Tacoma (2)
4. Spokane (6)
Complete poll

Women (prev)
1. Umpqua (1)
2. Clackamas (2)
3. Yakima Valley (3)
4. Lane (4)
Complete poll

Umpqua's 97-61 win over Southwestern Oregon gives coach Stricklin 600th win as head coach -www.nrtoday.com
2009-01-12 16:58:06

Written by Tom Eggers

WINCHESTER — After Southwestern Oregon scored 12 unanswered points at the start of the second half to tie the game at 37-37, the Umpqua Community College women's basketball team went to work.

The No. 1-ranked Riverhawks demolished the Lakers outside, inside and in transition with a 20-2 run to regain control, and continued on to post a 97-61 win Wednesday night in the Southern Region opener at the UCC gym.

"You can't make mistakes against them because they're so good ... you can't have a bad six to eight minutes or you'll get blown out," said Southwestern Oregon coach Mike Herbert. "They’re so big and Dave (Stricklin) uses what he has so well. All of them can play and shoot."

Kristi Fallin, a Roseburg High graduate, paced five Riverhawks in double figures with 30 points — 17 coming in the first half. The sophomore guard hit five three-point field goals, and added five rebounds and four steals in over 32 minutes on the court.

Umpqua shot 55 percent (41-for-74) from the field, including a sizzling 71 percent (24-for-34) over the final 20 minutes. The Riverhawks got 15 points and eight rebounds from Kirsten Strawn, 12 points and 10 rebounds from Cassandra Tiggett, and 11 points apiece from Cassie Scheffelmaier and Roseburg grad Kate Wilton.

"We definitely had some lapses tonight," said UCC guard Miranda Holenstein, who contributed six points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals. “Some parts were ugly and some parts looked really good. We didn't come out ready to play like we should've (in the second half), but we always find a way to get ourselves back into it. For us, it’s about playing defense, getting rebounds and playing the transition game."

The Riverhawks (14-1) gave Stricklin — in his 14th year as UCC's head coach — his 600th career coaching win. Stricklin is 341-86 at Umpqua (winning NWAACC titles in 1997 and 2000) and went 259-27 in eight years at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Calif.

"It (win total) shows we’ve been consistent over the years," Stricklin said. "I've been around a lot of good players. I’ve had a lot of players who've bought into what we do and it’s worked out really well."

This year’s club — the players and coaches believe — has the ingredients to make a run at the NWAACC championship, assuming it can stay healthy. Eight Riverhawks played Wednesday, as former Glendale standout Gretchen Owens sat out with a knee injury. The first goal is to win the Southern Region title.

"I love it (uptempo style) more than anything," said Fallin, UCC’s leading scorer for the season at over 24 points a game. "We’re going fast every practice, that's what he (Stricklin) encourages us to do. We're pushing the ball a lot quicker this year and we're not selfish — we look for the hot hand. We know we’ll be in the best shape at the end of the game."

"Kristi has been the go-to player for us, but we all depend on each other," Holenstein said. "This team works harder, we all get along. We know it's about the win, not who scores the most points."

Stricklin was pleased with how his team responded after its shaky start in the second half. Fallin sparked the surge with a pair of 3-pointers and a two-point basket, and Strawn had five points. The Lakers (5-8) found themselves down 57-39 and it was over.

"That’s one of the great mysteries of coaching when you come out for the first 1 1/2 minutes and look like a completely different team," he said. "We were out of sync. But for 10 minutes (of the second half) we looked like a force. We can be explosive."

"They got rebounds, No. 4 (Fallin) shoots lights out and everybody else gets layups," Herbert said. "There's not much you can do."

Nicole Brzeczek led SWOCC with 18 points, sinking four of five 3-pointers. Jessica Hatley, a Glide grad, didn’t score in five minutes for the Lakers, who finished 40 percent from the field and committed 26 turnovers.

The Riverhawks resume league play on Saturday in Salem against Chemeketa.

Several Wednesday basketball contests postponed due to weather
2009-01-07 18:34:32

Vancouver WA - Multiple game postponements have been reported due to weather conditions in Washington.

Postponed games:
Lower Columbia vs. Green River - men & women
Grays Harbor vs. Highline - men & women
Clark vs. Pierce - men & women

All games will be rescheduled for a later date.

Clackamas and Umpqua top latest Horizon Air Basketball Polls
2009-01-06 21:23:34

Vancouver, WA - A new number one tops the men's Horizon Air/Coaches poll this week while Umpqua still holds the top spot in the ladies' poll.

Clackamas (12-2), with it's four point win over previously top-ranked Tacoma (11-2) last week, moves from fourth into the top spot this week while Tacoma slips to second.

The Umpqua Riverhawks (13-1), on an eleven game win streak, have held the top ranking since the initial poll December 9th.

Men's Poll (prev)
1. Clackamas (4)
2. Tacoma (1)
3. Yakima Valley (2)
4. Bellevue (3)
Complete Poll

Women's Poll
1. Umpqua (1)
2. Clackamas (2)
3. Yakima Valley (3)
4. Lane (5)
Complete poll

S. Puget Sound men and North Idaho women win holiday tournaments
2008-12-29 19:47:25

Vancouver, WA - South Puget Sound edged Clark 73-70 to claim the championship at the U.S. Army / Clark College Holiday Invitational men's basketball tourney.

In women's action, North Idaho downed Lane 79-67 to take the championship at the Chemeketa Holiday Tournament in Salem.

All Tournament Teams
Clark Holiday Invitational
Will Sharp, South Puget Sound (MVP)
Donald Terry, South Puget Sound
Garrick Ashenfelter, Clark
Brandon Jones, Clark
Danny Berger, Chemeketa

Chemeketa Holiday Tournament
Bianca Cheever, North Idaho (MVP)
Lindsey Stark, North Idaho
Natalie Nichols, North Idaho
Carmen Williams, Lane
Sheena Cole, Lane
Kelsey Stiller, Spokane
Monique Wickenhagen, Columbia Basin

Tacoma & Umpqua top latest Horizon Air basketball polls
2008-12-23 22:19:41

Vancouver, WA - The NWAACC has just released the December 23rd Men and Women's Horizon Air / Coaches' Poll.

The Umpqua Lady Riverhawks (11-1) collected all eight first place votes and top the women's rankings for the second consecutive poll. The previously third-ranked Clackamas Cougars (8-1) scored a 17 point victory over last week's second-ranked Yakima Valley (7-4) to leap-frog the Yaks into second place in this week's rankings.

On the men's side, the undefeated Tacoma Titans (9-0) scored a big win over last week's top ranked Bellevue Bulldogs 61-55 to move into the top spot this week. The Bulldogs (10-2) slipped to third place behind last season's league champions Yakima Valley (10-1) who hold in the two spot.

Women's Basketball (prev week)
1. Umpqua (1)
2. Clackamas (3 tie)
3. Yakima Valley (2)
4. Spokane (3 tie)
view complete poll

Men' Basketball (prev week)
1. Tacoma (4)
2. Yakima Valley (2)
3. Bellevue (1)
4. Clackamas (3)
view complete poll

Jim Worden Celebration of Life Memorial Service
2008-12-23 18:30:27

Oregon City, OR - The Jim Worden [former Clackamas Men's Basketball Associate Head Coach] Celebration of Life will be held on December 30th, 2008 in the gymnasium at the old Oregon City High School campus at 1306 12th Street in Oregon City at 3:00 pm.

Family, friends, coaches, and players will gather to pay tribute to the lifetime of a man who touched so many lives. All are invited to come and celebrate Jim's life and share the memories.

Rememberances may mailed to The Worden Family at 18835 S. Rose Road, Oregon City, 97045.

Contributions may be made out to The Jim Worden Memorial Scholarship Fund.

South Puget South Crossover halted due to weather
2008-12-20 23:28:26
The remaining scheduled games for Sunday at the women's Western Region Crossover hosted by South Puget Sound have been canceled due to weather conditions.

Crossover Schedules Updated
2008-12-19 15:07:16

The weather has impacted nearly all of the NWAACC Basketball Crossover tournaments happening this weekend. Several are playing with fewer teams while one was canceled entirely. Olympic College canceled the women's tournament they were supposed to host starting today due to the weather. The schedule has been updated with information the NWAACC office has received as of 2:00 p.m. Friday. Further updates are expected for the Crossover tournament being held at Chemeketa.

Inclement NW weather affecting weekend basketball tournament schedules
2008-12-18 23:03:22

Vancouver, WA - Several changes have and continue to occur to this weekend's basketball crossover tournaments due to inclement weather. The NWAACC will gather the schedule updates and alter the men and women's crossover tournaments accordingly.

Clackamas Men's Basketball Coach Jim Worden Passes Away
2008-12-17 22:13:43

Oregon City, OR - Long time NWAACC basketball coach Jim Worden passed away December 17, 2008 after a year long battle with cancer.

Worden, 64, coached basketball for 38 years in California and Oregon high schools and colleges, including the last 10 at Clackamas Community College, where he was the associate head coach for men's basketball and part time PE instructor.

He leaves behind a loving family and many, many friends throughout the Northwest.

Around the NWAACC, he will be deeply missed, where his coaching legacy will be the gold standard he lived: his consistently uncompromised professionalism and his ethical model of how coaches should treat their players, and each other.

At Clackamas, the entire Cougar community will grieve his passing.

"Border Clash" to be televised on Fox Sports Northwest
2008-12-09 16:01:26

The annual "Border Clash" men's basketball game, featuring Community Colleges of Spokane (CCS) vs. North Idaho College (NIC), will be televised regionally on Fox Sports Northwest. The game is 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at Gonzaga University's McCarthey Center in Spokane.

The game will be televised via tape delay on Fox Sports Northwest at 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.

This is the first time that a Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) game has been televised regionally. The game also will be carried live locally on Gonzaga University Television, Comcast channel 15.
In all, Border Clash features three basketball games:
4 p.m., high school boys’ game: West Valley High School vs. Post Falls High School
6 p.m., college women's game: CCS vs. NIC
8 p.m., college men's game: CCS vs. NIC

Over 4,000 tickets for the event have been sold to date. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the bookstores at Spokane Community College, 1810 N. Greene St., or Spokane Falls Community College, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Drive. Advance tickets can also be purchased by contacting Scott Kramer at (509) 533-7445. Ticket prices are $5 for individual tickets or $40 for groups of 20. Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $5.

For ticket information, contact:
Scott Kramer, 509-533-7445 SMKramer@scc.spokane.edu

For information regarding the venue and details of the television broadcast contact:
Dan Garrity, 509-313-6689 garrity@gonzaga.edu

Initial 2008-09 Horizon Air/Coaches' basketball polls have been released
2008-12-09 14:23:45

Vancouver, WA - The initial 2008-09 Men & Women's Horizon Air/Coaches' Poll have been released.

Bellevue (7-0) takes the top spot for the men. The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents by an average margin of 25.7 points per game including a convincing 16 point win over this week's number two team Yakima Valley (7-1).

Umpqua women head the ladies' poll. The Riverhawks (6-1) are on a four-game winning streak in including a nine point win over #3 Clackamas (6-1). The only blemish on their record was a five point loss to second-ranked Yakima Valley. The #2 Yaks (4-3) are coming off a very tough non-conference tournament where they suffered three losses, two against nationally ranked NJCAA squads.

Men's Poll
1. Bellevue
2. Yakima Valley
3. Clackamas
4. Tacoma
Complete Poll

Women's Poll
1. Umpqua
2. Yakima Valley
3. tie Clackamas
3. tie Spokane
Complete Poll

Weekend Basketball Tournament All-Stars & Champions
2008-12-01 15:56:50

Clackamas Thanksgiving Tournament (Women)
Champions: Umpqua, 2nd: Clackamas, 3rd: Mt. Hood
All-Tournament Team:
Cassie Scheffelmaier Umpqua (MVP)
Kristi Fallin, Umpqua
McKenzie Meyer, Clackamas
Rylee Peterson, Clackamas
Alexandra Melonson, Mt. Hood
Sam Flett, Blue Mountain

Lower Columbia Red Devil Classic (Men)
Champions: Yakima Valley, 2nd: Lower Columbia, 3rd: Clackamas
All-Tournament Team:
Rico Wilkins, Yakima Valley (MVP)
Jody Johnson, Yakima Valley
Clint Burgoyne - Lower Columbia
Alex King - Lower Columbia
Chelales Tapscott, Clackamas
Chris Grounds, Everett

Pierce Thanksgiving Tournament (Men)
Champions: Bellevue, 2nd: Whatcom, 3rd: Pierce
All-Tournament Team
Rahiti Marere, Bellevue (MVP)
Sam Cartmell, Bellevue
Chris Grove, Pierce
Stephan McCall, Shoreline
Will Sharp South Puget Sound
Ryan Sweet, Whatcom

Skagit Valley 35th annual Turkey Tournament (Men)
Champions: Skagit Valley, 2nd:Green River, 3rd: Wenatchee Valley
All-Tournament Team:
Chas Kok, Skagit Valley (MVP)
Trent Leach, Skagit Valley
Giovanni Lee, Green River
Jamaal Thomas, Green River
Kellen Drake, Wenatchee Valley
Joel Wollenberg, Quest University of Canada

2008 Basketball Golf Tournament Wrap-Up
2008-09-03 09:49:04

The Third Annual NWAACC Basketball Tournament Golf Event was held Saturday, August 18, at Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick, WA. Approximately 135 golfers battled through a grueling 107 degree temperature day to enjoy themselves and help raise operating funds to support the 2008 NWAACC Basketball Championships, to be held in March 5-8, 2009 in Kennewick.

George Gee Nissan of Pasco, which is part of the George Gee Automotive network located in Couer d' Alene, Spokane, and Tri-Cities, was our major sponsor for the golf event, providing a generous cash donation, Nissan gear to give away, and two cars offered as prizes for a hole-in-one. George Gee is a rabid basketball fan and committed to athletic and community philanthropy—we couldn’t be happier with their support of NWAACC basketball. More information about the George Gee Foundation can be found at http://www.goseegee.com.

Thirty teams competed in two divisions. The Fowler LLC Team, led by major basketball tournament supporter Rob Marshall of Richland, won the Tiger Woods Division, carding a 16-under par score in the full scrambler format. NWAACC Executive Director Dick McClain was a member of the winning team. The Flour and the Cartmell/Guajardo teams tied for second two shots back at 14-under par.

The Tin Cup Division was won for the second time by the Hanford High School coaches, at 9-under par.

The tournament was again well-supported by many coaches and athletic directors. More schools were represented by teams playing and/or holes sponsored than in previous years, which was a testament to the commitment of the member schools to making the basketball tournaments better. Coaches in attendance: Mark Poth (Big Bend), Clif Wegner (Clackmas), Jim Martineau (Clackamas), Kayla Steen (Clackamas), Rolando Garcia (CBC), Evan Woodward (Hanford HS), Che Dawson (Highline), Rob Nielson (Mt. Hood), Jeff Reinland (Walla Walla), Jimmy Hill (Wenatchee), Carl Howell (Tacoma), Kevin Collier (Portland), John Lee (Portland). Also in attendance were athletic directors Fred Schnell (Mt. Hood), Ray Funk (Yakima), Scott Rogers (CBC), Ed Aronson (Treasure Valley), Dick Magruder (Portland), and John Dunn (Highline).

It should also be recognized that the tournament has grown enough that we had two school presidents play. Rich Cummins, new president of CBC, came out with two teams of golfers and worked with Athletic Director Scott Rogers to have 5 members of the defending champion CBC Hawk Women's Basketball team on hand to support the cause. John Turner from Blue Mountain CC also made the trip up from Pendleton to play. Their support was important both operationally and symbolically, and further shows the commitment to the student-athletes that makes the NWAACC special.

Many NWAACC schools once again provided athletic apparel and gifts to be distributed to the golfers. Douglas, the new member from north of the border, was exceptionally generous for the cause, donating a lot of Adidas gear which was a big hit. Those donations were much appreciated, and give this tournament that special touch that separates it from the usual fundraising events.

The tournament committee wanted to recognize the non-local schools and organizations whom have supported this tournament, understanding the time and financial commitment necessary to travel to Kennewick in the summer to play. Highline, Walla Walla, and Wenatchee have joined CBC to play all three years. Mt. Hood, Clackamas, Tacoma, the NWAACC South Officials, and Big Bend have all traveled to play the last two years. Portland CC and Treasure Valley made long inaugural trips to join in the festivities this year. We also received hole sponsorship support from Everett and Bellevue for the third consecutive year. Whatcom, South Puget Sound, and Centralia sponsored holes this year, despite not being able to make the trip. Support from schools was dramatically up, which will translate into a better basketball event in March.

The tournament will be held again next year on Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 1 p.m. at Canyon Lakes in Kennewick. Our goal is to have 30 schools participate either playing golf or supporting via hole sponsorship. The event is growing in size and prestige, and we look forward to the 4th annual event next year.

Freshour takes charges of Chemeketa Women's Basketball
2008-08-06 10:21:10

Salem, OR - Lynn Freshour recently joined Chemeketa Community College as its new women's basketball coach.

Freshour most recently served as athletic director at North Salem High School, but the chance to return to coaching was too tempting to pass up.

"Coaching at the college level has always been a dream of mine," said Freshour. "It's also an exciting time to be part of Chemeketa as we head in new directions under President Cheryl Roberts."

Athletic scholarships provided by Chemeketa should help attract some of the area's top talent, and Freshour sees talent as key to his plans.

"I want to build a Chemeketa dynasty within the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges," he said. "The high schools in our area produce fantastic players who have the skill to take Chemeketa to the top of the division."

Freshour is a former coach of girls basketball teams at North Salem and West Salem high schools. As head coach at Amity High School, Freshour led nine girls basketball teams to the state tournament.

Cassie Belmodis, Chemeketa athletic director, is eager to see Freshour's vision come to life on the court.

"He brings an excitement and passion to the game of basketball that we are sure, will carry over to the women's basketball program. His years of success and experience as a coach, athletic director, and involvement in community sports will be an asset to his team and the Storm Athletic Department," she said.

For more information about the women's basketball program, contact Freshour at 503-399-5053, or Cassie Belmodis at 503.399.5159 or cassieb@chemeketa.edu.

Guerra takes reins of Linn-Benton Women's Basketball
2008-06-05 16:56:57

Albany, OR - The Linn-Benton Community College's athletic department is pleased to announce the appointment of Teresa Guerra as the Head Women's Basketball Coach.

Coach Guerra has been the Head Varsity Coach for the Lakeview High School Girls Basketball team for the last 3 years. Her first year coaching record was 18-6 and 2nd round play-offs. Second year saw a record of 12-12 and 2nd round play-offs. In her third year, Teresa coached her team to a 14-13 record and made an appearance at the 2A State Tournament.

Teresa herself played Junior College basketball for 2 years in California – one year at De Anza Junior College and 1 year at Foothill Junior College. Teresa took her own playing career to the next level when she played 1 year at Eastern Oregon University.

Teresa earned a Masters of Teacher Education from Eastern Oregon University and a Bachelor of Science, Physical Education/Health from Eastern Oregon University. Teresa was previously employed as a Physical Education Teacher for grades 7-12 at Lakeview High School, Oregon.

Stewart returns to head Peninsula Women's Basketball
2008-06-03 13:58:54

Port Angeles, WA - Julie Stewart returns to the helm where she directed the Pirates to the only North Division women's basketball championship in school history.

Stewart, who coached at Peninsula from 2003-2005 before stepping down to be home with her young children, was named women's basketball head coach, as announced by Athletic Director Rick Ross.

"Julie is a great basketball coach, and a great mom, and we're very pleased she worked out a plan to do both," Ross said. "We're lucky to have her back."

Stewart said she carefully weighed the impact on her family vs. her love of the game of basketball in making her decision.

"Although my decision was made in a week's time it was done with thoughtful consideration," she said. "I love coaching basketball and it has become a lifestyle for my family. Being a college student-athlete is an exciting time for these young ladies and I look forward to being the head coach for the Peninsula Pirate Women."

Stewart's Pirates went 13-12 her first year as head coach in 2003-04 and then went 21-10, 12-4 in conference play, to win the North Division championship her second year. It was a memorable night in Peninsula College history when she was at one end of the gym, cutting down the net with her players, while her husband Peter and his players were at the other end, cutting down the other net, in celebration of a conference championship of their own.

She returns to the Pirate helm with six years of high school, collegiate and professional coaching experience and nine years of experience running basketball camps and clinics in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Malaysia and China. A basketball and track and field standout at the University of North Dakota from 1986-1991, Stewart has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics.

Stewart replaces Tiffany Darling, who coached the Pirates through two seasons before resigning in March. In addition to coaching basketball, Stewart will teach part time.

Brent Hermanson takes helm of Bellevue Women's Basketball
2008-05-30 13:12:50

For the second time in as many years, the BCC Women's Basketball program will be headed up by a former assistant coach. Athletic Director Bill O'Connor named Brent Hermanson, an assistant coach last season, as the successor to Steve Lowe, who has stepped down to pursue a coaching opportunity at NCAA Division II Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Lowe described his decision to leave BCC as "bittersweet", stating that "On one hand I'm very sad to leave Bellevue and the friends I've made here. On the other hand, I'm getting a chance to coach at a four year institution. Coach Tom Webb and Cameron University have given me an opportunity to do something that I'm truly passionate about; coaching the game of basketball full time."

Lowe took the reins at Bellevue in June of 2007, replacing Cheryl Sorenson who moved on to take an assistant coaching position at NCAA Division I Eastern Washington University. As an assistant under Sorenson from 2004-2007, he helped accomplish a remarkable turnaround, taking the team from 4-22 record in their first season to the best season in school history with a 26-5 overall record in 2006-2007, and a runner-up finish at the NWAACC Championships. Last season, BCC finished 18-13 overall, 12-4 in the Northern Region, and qualified for the NWAACC tournament for the third year in a row.

"I want to thank Bellevue Community College, the athletic department, and everyone that played for the women's program during my time" he said. "I've met a lot of great people during my tenure here and I have nothing but great memories."

O'Connor did not have to look far in finding a replacement for Lowe, naming Hermanson head coach after his first season as an assistant at BCC. "We have had outstanding coaches, but also two coaching changes in two years" said O'Connor. "I am excited to be able to turn to a quality individual such as Brent, who will add a measure of stability to the program and will continue our recent tradition of having excellent coaches in Women's Basketball."

In his first act as Head Coach, Hermanson has announced a pair of adjustments to the coaching staff. Paulette Martin, an assistant on last year's team alongside Hermanson, has been named as Associate Head Coach, and Dan Toblin has been promoted from Strength and Conditioning Coach to an Assistant Coach position.

"It was important to continue to build on what Coach Lowe started, so retaining the coaching staff was a critical step" said Hermanson. "Bellevue has consistently competed at a high level in the NWAACC and with the recruiting class that has been assembled by Coach Lowe for the 2008-2009 season, I expect to continue the tradition of excellence that has been established within the Women's Basketball program."

Hermanson has been a mainstay in the girls' youth basketball circuit over the last 10 years, having worked with both the Redmond Select and Flight AAU basketball programs. Last year was his first season coaching in the college ranks.

"I am extremely excited for the opportunity to coach at Bellevue Community College" he said. "I believe we will compete again this year to win the Northern Region, and return to the NWAACC Tournament."

NWAACC in the News - DePeel & Santos signing announcements
2008-05-21 12:21:22

DePeel signs with Lewis-Clark State College
Nikki DePeel, who played guard the past two seasons at Columbia Basin Community College in Pasco, Wash., has signed a letter-of-intent to play for the Lewis-Clark State College women's basketball team next season, LCSC coach Brian Orr has announced. [read more]

Santos signs with Boise State University
[Renee] Santos, a former St. Mary's Academy pitcher from Southeast Portland, has received a full scholarship from Boise State. Pitching for Clackamas Community College, she blew away much of the competition in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges the past two years. [read more]

Schooler takes reins of Edmonds women's basketball program
2008-05-13 17:27:42

Edmonds Community College has named Jennifer Schooler as the new head women's basketball coach and Trisha Terhar as the lead assistant coach. Both coaches achieved academic goals while playing college basketball and aim to share that experience with players.

Schooler has played point-guard at both the community college and collegiate level at Wenatchee Valley College from 1998-2000 and then on scholarship at the University of Idaho from 2000-2002. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Idaho and a Master's in education and technology. She is currently working toward a second Master's in sports psychology. Previously, Jennifer coached at Deer Park High School and was an assistant at Evergreen State College.

As head coach she will focus on encouraging hard work and creating a strong team experience for student-athletes.

"Athletes are students first," Schooler said. "The great thing about basketball for me was that it paid for my education. I want Edmonds Community College to be a pathway for student-athletes to get a great education that prepares them to further their education."

Terhar joins Schooler as assistant coach. She is an Edmonds Community College alumna who played on the basketball team in 2004-05 when the team went to the playoffs. She then played at Pacific University from 2005-2007 where she earned her bachelor's degree in Sociology and made the Northwest Conference All-Academic team and the All-Tournament team at Menlo College Thanksgiving Classic.

NMHU Names Tiffany Darling New Head Women's Basketball Coach
2008-05-13 10:49:01

New Mexico Highlands University is pleased to announce that Tiffany Darling is their new Women's Basketball Coach. Darling accepted the position earlier this week and is set to begin her first day of work at Highlands on June 2.

Darling, 29, comes to NMHU from Peninsula College, a junior college in Port Angeles, Wash. In two seasons at Peninsula, Darling compiled a 24-26 record, including a 15-17 record in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges. Read More...

Grays Harbor announces new women's basketball coach
2008-04-28 21:14:15

Grays Harbor College names Derrick Pringle as their new Head Women's Basketball coach. Pringle comes to the harbor with many years of coaching basketball, at all levels. He's coached at Timberline, River Ridge, Chief Leschi and Northwest Christian High Schools. Pringle has also coached several area AAU teams from the Thurston County area.

He is already familiar with the NWAACC. He earned his Associate's Degree from Pierce College in Tacoma and was an assistant basketball coach at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia. Pringle earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from The Evergreen State College in Olympia. Before taking this job, he was an assistant coach for The Evergreen State College women's basketball team.

Coaching Legend Carl Howell Returns to TCC Men's Basketball Team
2008-04-07 16:13:13

Carl Howell is resuming leadership of the Tacoma Community College men's basketball team as head coach while retaining his position as Athletic Director.

Head of the TCC men's basketball program from 1992-2003, Coach Howell retains the title of TCC's all-time most winning basketball coach. While leading the Titans to a 239-82 record, Howell sustained a 74.5 winning percentage over 11 years. In addition the Titans were 138-26 ( 84.1%) in Howell’s last five seasons. He coached the Titans to four straight NWAACC (Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges) Western Regional Championships (1999-2002), and led TCC to the NWAACC championship game in 2001 and 2002, winning the NWAACC Championship in 2002. Howell is only the third coach in NWAACC history to achieve four straight regional titles and have two thirty-win seasons. Fifteen of Coach Howell's players from TCC teams have advanced to Division I basketball programs. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Howell was once named Coach of the Year by the NWAACC. He also achieved recognition as Western Region Coach of the Year four times, and served five times as Head Coach of the NWAACC All-Star Game.

Howell returned to TCC as Athletic Director in 2007 after four seasons as Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Eastern Washington University, where the Eagles advanced to the NCAA tournament in the first year of his leadership. As men's basketball coach he replaces Arvin Mosley, who resigned on February 26th to pursue other opportunities. Mosley coached the Titans from 2003-2008, and compiled a record of 46-88 . TCC looks forward to a dynamic and successful men's basketball program under Howell's direction, while the athletic department continues to thrive under his leadership as athletic director. "I'm really excited to again be the men's basketball coach at TCC," said Howell.

Dave Pelkey, Dean of International Student Services and Programs, believes that Howell will provide strong leadership for the men's basketball program. "Carl has a demonstrated history as a coach at TCC, and we believe the program is in good hands. We look forward to having Coach Howell back on the court representing TCC," said Pelkey.

Burns and Holden named basketball coaches of the year
2008-04-03 10:53:42

NWAACC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year
Mike Burns, Spokane
Spokane Head Coach Mike Burns has been voted the NWAAACC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year.

In his first year the helm of the men's basketball program at Community Colleges of Spokane, Mike Burns built a dominating team that was ranked number one in the NWAACC Coaches Poll for the entire 2007-08 season.

The Spokane Sasquatch won 30 games during the season and ended the regular season with one loss. The Sasquatch were a perfect 14-0, winning the Eastern Region title by four games.

NWAACC Women's Basketball Coach of the Year
Cheryl Holden, Columbia Basin
Columbia Basin Head Coach Cheryl Holden put together a squad that was perfect in Eastern Region play and was ranked number for much of the year and won their second NWAACC Championship in four years.

The Hawks dominated their opponents all season long with tough defense and solid execution on offense. CBC ended the season with a 28-3 record.

Former Olympic basketball coach directs Portland State to March Madness
2008-03-14 12:05:06

Ken Bone, the former men's basketball coach at Olympic College, has guided Portland State University to its first ever NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championships.

Bone took over the Portland State program in 2005-06 season when his team finished 12-16 overall. In the following season, he led the Vikings to a 19-13 record and a fourth place finish in the Big Sky Conference Tournament.

This season, the Vikings are 23-9, the best in school history, and recently won the Big Sky Conference Tournament with a win over Northern Arizona to earn an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament.

Bone began his head coaching career at Cal State Stanislaus in 1984-85, then took the helm at Olympic during the '85-86 season before moving on to an assistant and head coaching position with Seattle Pacific. In 2002, Bone took an assignment as an assistant with the University of Washington until PSU contacted him about taking over the program at Portland.

Bone's NWAACC connections began in the late 1970's when he played basketball at Edmonds CC and Shoreline CC prior to playing for Seattle University in 1980-82.

His staff also includes other NWAACC connections; assistant coach Eric Harper was the head coach at Yakima Valley before joining PSU for the 2005-06 season and associate head coach Tyler Geving played for Highline in the early 1990s.

Umpqua's Stricklin to be inducted into California Hall of Fame
2008-03-10 12:18:31

Umpqua women's basketball head coach Dave Stricklin will be inducted into the California Community College Women's Basketball Hall of Fame at a banquet on March 12. The event will take place at the California Men's and Women's Final Four being held at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA.

In eight seasons at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, CA, Stricklin compiled an almost unbelievable record of 259-27, reaching the 200 win plateau as fast as anyone in community college history. While winning seven league championships in eight seasons, including seven trips to the California Final Four, two California State Championships and one runner-up, Stricklin's teams averaged over 32 wins and only three losses a season.

During his tenure, Stricklin's teams went undefeated in every game played at Golden West, winning 88 straight home games.

At Umpqua, Stricklin's teams have won two NWAACC Championships and have also earned two third place finishes and one fourth place finish. His combined overall won-loss record is 586-112.

Basketball All-Star Games Broadcast
2008-03-06 15:29:52
This year's games will be broadcast on the College Channel, BCC's local cable access television station. The games can be watched live on channel 28 in the east king county region, and will also be available for free replay for Comcast Digital Cable subscribers in Washington State via the company’s On Demand service.

NWAACC basketball all-star games
2008-03-06 01:56:27

The 2008 men and women's basketball sophomore all-star games will the held at Bellevue Community College [driving directions] on March 9th.

Schedule of games: Men :: Women

Columbia Basin Hawks win the 2008 NWAACC Women's Basketball Championship
2008-03-02 22:09:13

Columbia Basin Hawks win 2008 NWAACC Women's Basketball Championship

In front of a vocal hometown crowd for Columbia Basin and a slightly more subdued group of Spokane fans, the Lady Hawks took on the Sasquatch in the 2008 NWAACC Women's Championship game.

The starting lineup for Spokane included point guard Ren Mallory, guard Eleaya Schuerch, guard/forward Liz Beardslee, Eastern region all-star guard Kelsey Stillar and forward Kellee Neal.

Eastern region MVP Nikki DePeel started for the hometown Hawks, after taking a hard hit to her nose yesterday against the Walla Walla Warriors. She was joined by guard Alexandria Allen, forward Lindsey Begaii, guard Karli Thomas and forward Brittany Cherry.

East first team all-star Brittany Cherry drew the first blood for the Hawks, while DePeel caused the first foul.

The Sasquatch's first points went to Kelsey Stillar who took the three from the top of the key. Kellee Neal followed it up with another three 10 seconds later at the same spot. The Hawks played the inside aggressively, forcing the Sasquatch to take their early shots - unsuccessfully - from the outside.

A series of traveling calls, thrown away balls, fouls and poor shooting resulted in a low scoring game and double bonus shots as the time wound down in the first half. Hawk Dora Brings Yellow took the final shot in the first half, missing and sending the teams into the locker room for halftime with a score of Spokane 22, Columbia River Basin 19.

Coming out of halftime, Hawk Nikki DePeel tied it up with the first score of the second half and Hawk Kellie Neal - who shot 100% from the line, the three and the inside for the first half and contributed 8 of Spokane's 22 points - was pulled out of the game one minute in for garnering her fourth personal foul.

A field goal shot from the Sasquatch rattled around the basket and dropped in, giving Spokane back the lead. It was short-lived, however, as DePeel was fouled on next her next successful drive to the basket. Quick scores from Lindsay Begaii and another from DePeel grew the lead to six.

The Hawks worked to keep the lead with a steal and a score by Rondelle Guthrie and a driving layup by Alexandria Allen. Spokane fought back with rebounds and jumpers from Ren Mallory, despite back to back traveling calls on Richelle Daily to bring it back within three with under ten minutes to play.

DePeel took control again of the game for the Hawks, scoring another six points, and the Hawks hustling defensive play gave them the chance to kill the clock while extending their lead. The Sasquatch found themselves down by 11 with under four minutes to play, having not scored a point for six minutes.

Ren Mallory broke the cold spell with a jumper in the paint to diminish the Hawk's lead to the single digits with 3:13 left in the game. That was as close as they would get, however, as the Hawks' Brittany Cherry responded with two of her own on a fading jumper and the Hawks continued to pull away with baskets from Begaii and successful foul shots from DePeel.

The Columbia Basin Hawks win the 2008 NWAACC Basketball Championships 49-37 and complete a successful season with a 28-3 record. Second place Spokane closed out their season 22-8.

Tournament MVP Nikki DePeel was the highest scorer of the game with 18 points for the Hawks. For the Sasquatch, Liz Beardslee had 9 while Mallory and Neal each had 8.

All-Tournament Team
First Team: Andrea Blodgett, YVCC; Kayla Bennett, NSCC; Mercedes Alexander, Lane; Kellee Neal, CCS; Brittany Cherry, CBC
Second Team: Amanda Atcheson, CENC; Kristina Schumacher, EVCC; Brittany Toone, WWCC; Liz Beardslee, CCS; Alexandria Allen, CBC
Most Valuable Player: Nikki DePeel, CBC
Most Inspirational Player: Ashlee Michelson, CCS

2008 NWAACC Women's Basketball Championship All-Tournament Team
2008-03-02 21:10:05

MVP
Nikki DePeel, Columbia Basin

First Team
Andrea Blodgett, Yakima Valley
Kayla Bennett, Seattle
Mercedes Alexander, Lane
Kellee Neal, Spokane
Brittany Cherry, Columbia Basin

Second Team
Amanda Atcheson, Centralia
Kristina Schumacher, Everett
Brittany Toone, Walla Walla
Liz Beardslee, Spokane
Alexandria Allen, Columbia Basin

Most Inspirational Player
Ashlee Michelson, Spokane

NWAACC Championship Game Broadcasts & Scores
2008-03-02 14:34:40

Sunday, March 02

Men's Championship
Spokane 66 Yakima Valley 65

Women's Championship
Columbia Basin 49 Spokane 37

Tournament Box Scores & Stats: Men :: Women
Updated Brackets: Men :: Women
Game Recaps: Sunday :: Saturday :: Friday :: Thursday

3rd/6th Place Games
Women Lane 63 Walla Walla 58
Men Umpqua 84 Southwestern Oregon 81

4th/7th Place games
Women Yakima Valley 84 Centralia 66
Men Peninsula 60 Bellevue 44

5th/8th Place Games
Women Seattle 80 Everett 50
Men Whatcom 86 Everett 72 OT

NWAACC Women's All-Stars
2008-02-29 12:18:44

NORTH ALL-STARS
First Team
Kayla Bennett, SCC
Marissa Bower, BCC
Megan Gilbert, OC
Oliana Seonoa, EVCC
Jessica Takara, SVC

Second Team
Coty Ettl, OC
Sam Flett, PeC
Trisha Mallahan, WCC
Corinna Sharick, SVC
Jena Walentowski,ShCC

MVP: Kristina Schumacher, EVCC

Coach of the Year: Chet Hovde, EVCC
EAST ALL-STARS
First Team
Brittney Cherry, CBC
Andrea Blodgett, YVCC
Alexandria Allen, CBC
Tana Stickney, YVCC
Katie Strunk, WWCC
Jequela Warren, BMCC

Second Team
Kim Bluff, BBCC
Kelsey Stillar, CCS
Layne Tucker, WWCC
Ashlee Michelson, CCS
Alex Moore-Porter, YVCC

MVP: Nikki DePeel, CBC

Coach of the Year: Cheryl Holden, CBC

WEST ALL-STARS

First Team
Nadra Evans, LCC
Ashley Kitzman, Clark
Alicia Richardson, SPSCC
Sarah Sides, GHC
Heidi Jackson, LCC

Second Team
Shavon Tate, TCC
Whitney Titus, SPS
Valerie Cook, HCC
Mandy McFadden, CenC
Katie Garcin, LCC

MVP: Amanda Atcheson, CenC

Coach of the Year: Dee Dee Horton, SPSCC

SOUTH ALL-STARS
First Team
Stephanie Stephens, Lane
Rachel Copeland, CLCC
Deanna Tupai, UCC
Kristi Fallin, UCC
Brittney Wilson, CHCC

Second Team
Nicole Morgan, Lane
Miranda Holenstein, UCC
Emily Irwin, LBCC
Katelyn White, LBCC
Monique Tribble, CLCC

MVP: Mercedes Alexander, Lane

Coach of the Year: Dave Stricklin, UCC

NWAACC Men's All-Stars
2008-02-29 12:10:43

NORTH ALL-STARS

First Team
Josh Monagle, BCC
Mike Bagby, WCC
Chris Grounds, EVCC
JaRon Brown, SHCC
Dominick Lozano, PeC

Second Team
Ryan Christensen, WCC
Jon Moe, EVCC
Michael Duty, BCC
Steve Wiseley, BCC
Zack Henifin, WCC

MVP: Clay Greenland, PeC

Coach of the Year: Peter Stewart, PeC

EAST ALL-STARS

First Team
Daley Landon, BBCC
Matthew Dorr, CCS
Shane Miller, TVCC
Mark Minarik, WWCC
James York, BBCC

Second Team
Jordan Gregg, CCS
Eric Beal, CCS
Jon Clift, CCS
Bo Gregg, CCS
Brett Vriesman, BBCC

MVP: Anthony Johnson, YVCC

Coach of the Year: Mike Burns, CCS

WEST ALL-STARS

First Team
Chris Sprinker TCC
Alex King LCC
Orlandor Westbrooks Clark
Cody Theuringer HCC
Dave Massington GRCC

Second Team
Josh Troyer LCC
Scott Halasz Pierce
Shedrick Nelson HCC
Emmanuel Jenkins TCC
Bryan Trask GHCC

MVP: Chris Scott, SPSCC

Coach of the Year: Jim Roffler, LCC

SOUTH ALL-STARS

First Team
JC Cook, ClCC
Joseph Foster, SOCC
Kenan Dizdarevic, UCC
Dominique Watson, Lane
Emmanuel Olekaibe, SOCC

Second Team
Cory Neal, ChCC
Austin Dunn, ClCC
Pierre Calloway, MHCC
Jarrad Childs, UCC
DeMarcus Branch, MHCC
Tyson Christie, L:BCC

MVP: Edwin Richardson, UCC

Coach of the Year: Donell Morgan, UCC

NWAACC Championships - Game Recaps Friday, February 29
2008-02-29 11:27:19

Men 10 p.m. Everett Trojans 92, South Puget Sound Clippers 86

Although the game was close going into the second half, it soon emerged that the 10 p.m. start time was past the Clipper's bedtimes as the Trojans out-shot, out-hustled and, most importantly, out-rebounded South Puget Sound for most of the second period.

In the last minutes of the game, the Clippers woke up and fought back from a period high 15 point deficit, rallying behind Jonny Sarysz' gutsy and enthusiastic play after a series of hard falls. Key shots from Chris Scott brought South Puget South within 7 with two minutes to go. However, they could not stop the Trojans' 2-point response to almost every basket to close the gap.

The day's scoring leader, Trojan Jon Moe, nailed down 36 points. His teammates Stephen Waltman and Brian Mason scored 14 and 10, respectively.

The Clippers had six players in the double digits. Jonny Saryaz topped with 19, followed closely by Nigel Moore with 17, Chris Scott with 15, Michael Brumsey with 14 and finally Ramone Johnson and Gerad Moser with 11 and 10 points.

The Trojans win the game 92 to 86. This is the end of Clipper's season. Everett will return to the court tomorrow at 4 p.m. to face Highline.

Women 10 p.m. Umpqua Riverhawks, Skagit Valley Cardinals

The combination of high scoring from Ashley Grater (18 points), Corrina Sharick (15 points), Caitie Newman (12 points), Alex Love (11 points) and Alyssa Hendrickson (10 points) was not enough for the Cardinals to overcome the Riverhawk's triple threat.

Miranda Holenstein lead the team to victory with 33 points. Her teammates Kristi Fallin and Cassie Scheffelmaier dropped in an extra 19 and 17, respectively.

The Riverhawks will continue on in the tournament and face Everett tomorrow at 4 p.m.

Men 8 p.m. Spokane Sasquatch 78, Clackamas Cougars 50

The Sasquatch came out shooting - and hearing the squish of the net. The team went up 14-4 in the early part of the game and continued to roll, going up by as much as 30 before finally settling on a 78-50 score. With the large lead and support of the crowd, the Sasquatch sharpened its shot for tomorrow and pleased its fans with some flashy shots as well. Clackamas continued to fight for the ball until the end, however, with extensive double team support provided by Cougar Jeff Sego.

Top scorers for the Cougars were JC Cook with 13 points followed up by Austin Dunn and Adam Brickley with 11. For the Sasquatch, Jordan Gregg knocked down 16 while Jon Clift added 12 and 6 assists. Matthew Dorr and Kyle Turpin supported with 10 points each.

Spokane will return tomorrow at 8 p.m. against Southwestern Oregon. Clackamas will see Peninsula at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Women 8 p.m. Columbia Basin Hawks 58, South Puget Sound Clippers 43

In a game dominated by Columbia Basin Hawks, the team's leading scorer, Brittany Cherry, knocked down 11 points. Her teammate, Karli Thomas, contributed 10.

South Puget Sound, playing with only six team members, had Whitney Titus' 18 points for the game's strongest showing. Dre Castanea and Alicia Richardson both topped double digits with 11 points.

Columbia Basin continues on in the winner bracket and will take on Walla Walla tomorrow at 8 p.m. South Puget Sound will face Centralia at 2 p.m.

Men 6 p.m. Yakima Yaks 70, Lower Columbia Red Devils 66

In-your-face play dominated the Lower Columbia - Yakima match-up. The number one ranked team in the West, the Devils tried not to disappoint in front of a vocal crowd of support. Although they lead early in the second half, the Yaks whittled away at the numbers on the scoreboard and with 45 seconds on the clock, the Devils found themselves down by one.

Yak guard Anthony Johnson took to the line after being fouled while driving in the lane, scoring two, and stetting up a score of 69-66. A bobbled ball sent Lower Columbia's chances into the backcourt. Full coverage by the Red Devils and an errant three point attempt resulted in no points for Lower Columbia and another foul put Yakina back on the line with 6 seconds remaining. The Yaks only made one of the baskets, but that's all they needed to convince the Devils the last six seconds weren't worth playing.

The combined forces of Red Devils leading scorers - Josh Troyer with 15, Alex King with 13 and Robert Edwards with 12 - weren't enough to overcome the highest scoring player of the game, Yak Anthony Johnson and his teammate Jody Johnson.

The Yaks win 70-66 and will face Umpqua tomorrow at 6 p.m. Look for Lower Columbia to try to beat Bellevue at 12 p.m.

Women 6 p.m. Spokane Sasquatch 60, Lower Columbia Devils 35

In front of a boisterous crowd, the Devils worked to whirl away from the Sasquatch. However, Spokane's might was too strong and the Sasquatch established a commanding lead that grew throughout the game.

Proving the depth of their bench, the Sasquatch had ten players on the scoring board. Kellee Neal lead with 11 points while Ashlee Michelson added 9. For the Red Devils, Rene Evans lead her team in scoring with 13 points.

The Sasquatch win 60-35 and will play again tomorrow at 6 p.m. against the defending champions, Lane. The Red Devils will get another chance to play in front of the hometown crowd at 12 p.m. against the Yakima Yaks.

Men 4 p.m. Umpqua Riverhawks 80, Bellevue Bulldogs 73

Although both teams furiously tried, neither the Bulldogs nor the Riverhawks could shake their rival hard enough for more than a one-basket lead for most of the game.

With under five minutes left in the game, the Riverhawks capitalized on the Bulldogs lax play. A half-court pass resulted in a layup for the hustling 'Hawks and a thrown-away ball gave Umpqua another chance to extend their lead to 67-60.

Dueling baskets increased the score by two on both ends and missed plays continued until 10 Umpqua took to the line to put two through the net.

Facing a nine point deficit with less than two minutes remaining, the Bulldogs turned to fouls and three point attempts to save time. However, it only delayed the inevitable.

For the Bulldogs, high scorers were Steve Wiseley with 19 points and Josh Monagle with 15. For the Riverhawks, Jarrad Childs scored the match high 22 points while Edwin Richardson knocked in 20.

The Umpqua Riverhawks advance by winning with a score of 80-73 and will play Saturday against either Lower Columbia or Yakima at 6 p.m. The Bulldogs will try to defeat the loser of tonight's game between Lower Columbia and Yakima tomorrow at 12 p.m.

Women 4 p.m. Lane Titans 78, Yakima Valley Yaks 75

The Yaks and the Titans met today at 4 p.m. for a heated rematch of last year's semifinal game. At the half, the Yaks had a five-point lead, however, the Titans struck first in the second part of the game to make up the difference and more. However, neither team was able to amass a large lead and with 4 minutes remaining in the game, the score remained tied.

A three point score from Lane, and the Yaks two-point response, put Lane up by one. A traded series of lay-ups and jump shots resulted in a 74-73 Lane score with 40 seconds left in the game. Yak Kaiti Harris threw the ball out of bounds as her receiving player ducked, giving the ball to Lane with 30 seconds to go.

A foul brought Nicole Morgan to the line to shoot two for the Titans and increase their lead to three. With 20 seconds left, the Yaks missed their shot and sent Mercedes Alexander to the line to maximize time.

Alexander responded by sinking her first shot, but missing her second. She attempted to get the rebound but fouled Kylie Shaw, who made both of her free throws to return to a one point game, 76-75 Lane.

Sloppy play by the Yaks resulted in a score by the hard driving Titans and the resulting series of fouls couldn't stop the clock or Lane from winning.

The Yaks were lead by the scoring of Andrea Bladgett with 21 points and 5 assists, and Alex Moore-Porter and Donjanique Baker with 11 points each.

The Titan's Mercedes Alexander scored 24 points with 5 assists. Valerie Meyer and Stephanie Stephens each contributed 15.

Lane wins 78-75 and will play again at 6 p.m. tomorrow against the winner of the Lower Columbia-Spokane match-up. The Yaks will try to unseat the loser of the same match-up Saturday at noon.

Men 2 p.m. Southwestern Oregon Lakers 89, Peninsula Pirates 84

The North division champion Peninsula Pirates versus the third-ranked team from the East, the Southwestern Oregon Lakers, resulted in a game fought tooth and nail from the beginning.

With the score close at halftime, both teams looked to come out blazing for the second twenty minutes of game time. Southwestern drew the early - and deepest - blood, taking a commanding nine point lead with as many minutes remaining in the game.

The physicality of the game resulted in foul outs on both sides with more than six minutes remaining. Feeling the pressure of the winding down clock, the Pirates capitalized on their opportunities by scoring threes and dropping their free throw shots through the net. With 1:30 left to play in the game, the score was 82-81, closer than it had been all night. On the line after a foul, Laker Matt Dance dropped one of his free throws through the net.

Peninsula's next possession resulted in a shot clock violation with 41 seconds on the clock. The quick fouls on Dance and Joseph Foster put them back on the line for four more quick points

The Pirates pulled themselves back into the game with a fantastic three point shot from the corner. However, in the resulting game of fouls, Dance sealed the deal with another two from the free throw line to extend the Lakers' lead.

Both teams pulled high baskets from multiple players. Emmanuel Olekaibe lead the Lakers and the game with 24. His teammate Joseph Foster racked up 19 points, and Kevin Reynolds contributed 15. Bobby Williams had the game’s only double-double with 10 points and 11 assists.

For the Pirates, Clay Greenland contributed 23 points, while his teammates Dominick Lozano and Christian Harris offered up 16 and 15, respectively. Jesse Bean had 10 points.

The Lakers upset the Pirates 89-84 and will play tomorrow at 8 p.m. against the victor of tonight's 8 p.m. game of Spokane versus Clackamas. The Pirates will continue their season against the loser of the same game at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Women 2 p.m. Walla Walla Warriors 68, Centralia Trailblazers 54

The Walla Walla Warriors had a lead over the Centralia Trailblazers going into the half. Thanks to the vocal support of their fans and shared high scoring play, the Warriors were able to both hold, and extend, their lead, maintaining a minimum 10 point lead for most of the second half.

The Warriors' scoring was lead by Brittanie Toone with 21 points, AJ Hawk with 18 points, including 12 from the line, and 10 from Allie Dreadfulwater.

The Lady Blazers high performers were Laci Mitchell with 13 and Deanna Riffe with 11 points.

The Walla Warriors win 68-54 and face the winner of tonight's 8 p.m. match-up between Columbia and South Puget Sound Saturday at 8 p.m.. Centralia will see the loser of the same game at 2 p.m. tomorrow.

Men 12 p.m. Whatcom Orcas 81, Lane Titans 76

The game started poorly for the Titans. Whatcom came out strong, scoring ten unanswered points before Lane finally came on the board five and half minutes in with a two point shot.

The Titans spent the next ten minutes redeeming their earlier play, tying the game on an aggressive slam dunk by Dominique Watson and taking the lead for the first time in the game with five minutes to go in the first half after a baseline score by Kyle Winkler.

Going into halftime, Whatcom scored a last second three to tie the game 38-38.

The second half was a battle of the baskets, resulting in a Whatcom lead by two with seven minutes to play. The fiercely aggressive game resulted in a knock against the basket that jarred the shot clock. Despite a valiant attempt at a temporary fix by a high-climbing game attendee, a more permanent solution was required and game play was suspended for ten minutes while the shot clock was re attached.

The teams took the time to refocus and Whatcom came out scoring, driving the lead to 7. Lane fought back, bringing the score within three before Whatcom dragged it back out to 7.

With under a minute and a half to play, Aric Wright scored a three to give the Titans hope with a score of 73-70. However, a series of forced fouls again extended the Orca lead, this time to 76-70.

With 30 seconds on the clock, Wright stepped up to the plate, sinking a three and once more reducing the lead to three, 76-73. Despite Whatcom'Lane s attempts to play keep away, they were quickly fouled and Zac Andrus came up to the line, scoring on the first free throw. The second rolled around the hoop before rolling off. Whatcom won the battle of the boards, and again took to the line, where solid free throw shooting let them keep and extend their lead in the last seconds of the game.

Lane's leading scorers were Dominique Watson with 23 points and Stephen Christensen with 10. Whatcom owes much of its success to Zach Henifin who was perfect on his 10 free throw attempts and 9/13 from field goal range for a total of 32 points. Zac Andus also added 17 points to the score.

Whatcom wins 81-75 and will take on Big Bend tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Women 12 p.m. Bellevue Bulldogs 83, Linn-Benton Road Runners 71

With five minutes remaining in the half, the Road Runners and Bulldogs were duking it out with a score tied at 26. However, a jump shot from Road Runner Emily Irwin, followed up by two points in the paint from her teammate Jessica Vorpahl and another two from the line, set Linn-Benton on a roll. Heading into halftime, Linn-Benton sat on top 37-31.

Coming out of the mid-game break, Bellevue took control, with a solid distribution of high scoring, pulling away in dominating fashion by the end of the game.

For the Road Runners, the leading scorers were Katelyn White with 20 points and Destiny Neuenschwander with 15. For the Bulldogs, Andrea Gansz lead with 20 points, followed by Danielle Bue's 17, Lyndsee Landon's 15, Marissa Bower's 12 and Kaneshia Brooks' 11 scores.

Bellevue wins 83-71 and will take on the Seattle Storm tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Men 10 a.m. Big Bend Vikings 75, Grays Harbor Chokers 70

The game between the Big Bend and Grays Harbor Chokers was within five with the same number of minutes to play. However, Big Ben scored rapidly, extending the score to 66-57 with minus three minutes to play. An aggressive layup by Grays Harbor brought the score to 66-59.

Nick Schultens nailed a three for the Chokers, bringing the point difference to four. Big Bend almost threw the ball away only to double dribble and turn the ball over to Grays Harbor.

Cameron Edison missed his two-point attempt. Big Bend snagged the rebound and called a timeout as Viking Daley Landon was falling out of bounds.

When time resumed, Viking Will Winn did his best to kill time. He drew a foul from Josh Hawks, missing the free shot. However, Grays Harbor swatted the ball out of bounds. Two more consecutive fouls on Grays Harbor brought Winn to the line where he sunk one to extend the lead 67-62.

Aggressive play by both teams resulted in yet another foul by Grays Harbor. A technical foul was then called on Schultens, who fouled out of the game with 15 points.

Landon made both technical free throws for the Vikings and one more point brought the score to 70-62 with only 35 seconds to play

Greys Harbor wasn't going to end their season without a fight, however, Edison drilled a three with 29 seconds to go. A forced foul sent Landon back to the foul line, where he added another point on the board.

The ball was put back into the hands of Edison, who responded with yet another three point shot with the score 71-68 and 20 seconds to go. Big Bend then scored two on non-aggressive play by Greys Harbor - possibly as the result of a coach calling time out, but with no whistle from the officials to end play.

Edison again took possession of the ball and was fouled while going for his hat trick of threes. After sinking two of the shots, he brought his team within 3.

Unfortunately, the time was against the Chokers and another foul brought Winn back to the line for the Vikings. His two points with 8 seconds in the game placed it out of Grays Harbor's grasp.

Edison lead the Chokers in points with 17. Courtney Breach contributed 14, along with 4 steals. For the Vikings, Daley Landon scored an impressive 24 points while James York and Winn each added another 10 to the board.

Big Bend wins 75-70 and advances to play the winner of the Lane/Whatcom matchup tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Women 10 a.m. Seattle Storm 99, Grays Harbor Chokers 46

After a disappointing loss yesterday, Grays Harbor had an equally difficult game today versus the Seattle Storm. Down by 23 at halftime, the Storm's lead only grew in the second half of the game.

Sarah Sides lead the Chokers with 9 points and 5 assists. For the Storm, four players were in double digits. Kayla Bennett was on fire, dropping down 9 of 12 from the field for 23 total points. Sherika Puckett added her own 20 and 11 assists. Chiaki Nakamura contributed 16 points while Amber Hering set up her teammates to make the shots with 12 assists and 9 points of her own. Hiroe Chiba also put 10 points on the board.

Seattle wins 99-46 and will play the winner of the Linn-Benton/Bellevue match-up tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Men 8 a.m. Treasure Valley Chukars 73, Highline Thunderbirds 63

The Treasure Valley Chukars at the Highline Thunderbirds kicked off the second day of the NWAACC basketball championship

The teams traded baskets throughout the first half, and we were within three points of each other going into halftime.

Both teams were willing to take risks to wrest control of the game, with plentiful three-point attempts. Highline was more successful finding the net, putting the pressure on Chukars and forcing Treasure Valley into sloppy play. Highline capitalized on the fouls with mixed results at the free throw line, slowly building their lead while the Chukars continued to turn over the ball and make desperate attempts to sink their own threes.

The Chukars were not able to close down the gap created by the steamrolling Thunderbirds. Mychal Harris scored 11 points for the Chukars while Shane Miller lead the team with 18 points. For the Thunderbirds, Steadman Richardson lead with 16 points, supported by Coby Gibler's 14 and Shedrick Nelson's 11.

Final score Highline 73, Treasure Valley 63. Highline advances to play Saturday, March 1.

Women 8 a.m. Everett Trojans 77, Clackamas Cougars 71

At halftime, the Trojans lead the Cougars by a seemingly insurmountable 16 points. However, the Cougars battled back to draw within two with under four minutes remaining in the game.

An Everett steal lead to a basket by Kristina Schumacher, putting the Trojans up by four with three minutes to go. Clackamas quickly responded with two points of their own to again bring the score within a basket, 71-67.

After an Everett timeout with 1:25 to go, Schumacher came out to sink a basket as the shot clock ran down.

Rachel Copeland toed the 3-point line while shooting her own two-point response and Clackamas quickly took a time out.

With 54 seconds remaining, Keena Hopkins entered back in the game, running a blitz play and killing time. Brooke Russell was able to drive in the paint and take her own basket. With the Trojans leading 75-71, Cougar Kelsey New was charged with an offensive foul. Schumacher sunk her two resulting free throws to extend the lead 77-71.

Clackamas' Copeland failed in her three-point attempt and the resulting rebound gave the ball back to Everett, who let the time wind down.

For the Cougars, Copeland lead the team with 30 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists, including 8 three-point shots. Monique Tribble scored 17 points.

For the Trojans, Schumacher was the top scorer with 22 points while Keena Hopkins nailed down 21. Brooke Russell and Bryna Trescott each contributed 12.

Everett wins 77-71 and advances to play tomorrow.

2008 NWAACC Championship Stats
2008-02-29 00:14:11

Men's Tournament Stats

Women's Tournament Stats

NWAACC Championships - Game Recaps Thursday, Feb 28
2008-02-28 12:18:15

MEN Clackamas 93 South Puget Sound 71
It was a close game with several lead changes - nine to be precise, until there was 13 minutes left in the contest and the Clackamas Cougars (9-5, 18-12) got hot on the perimeter and Clippers (9-7, 14-14) couldn't keep pace.

South Puget Sound held a two point edge at 41-39 during the intermission, but Clackamas outscored the Clippers 54-30 en route to a 93-71 victory.

Clackamas' Austin Dunn and J. C. Cook combined on 51 points. Dunn was especially hot making 11 of 14 from the field and Cook picked up 8 points from the charity stripe. Jeff Sego also picked up double digits with 14 points and dished four assists. Adam Brickley and company controlled the paint as Brickley had 9 boards while three other Cougars finished with eight.

Four Clippers tallied double digit scoring led by Jonny Saryaz who had 15. Michael DeRosier had 14, Chris Scott 13, and Michael Brumsey 12. Brumsey and Nigel Moore combined on 17 boards while Scott dished a game high eight assists.

Clackamas advances to play top-ranked Spokane at 8pm on Friday while the Clippers will take on Everett at 10pm in a must win game for both squads.

WOMEN S. Puget Sound 63 Umpqua 77
South Puget Sound (13-3, 17-9) may not have the tallest team or the deepest bench, but they showed the South #2 seed Umpqua Riverhawks (11-3, 25-5) they came to win.

The Riverhawks took control midway through the first half and held 13 point half time lead 39-26. After the intermission the Riverhawks continued to lead until midway through the second when the Clippers turned on the heat to win the contest 77-63. The Clippers did so by outscoring the Riverhawks by 27 points in the half.

Whitney Titus was the Clippers' leading scorer with 23 and Dre Castaneda added another 21. Titus and Megan Sanders gathered 6 boards apiece while Kiara Honore tallied four assists. Castaneda played strong defense and picked the Riverhawks for four steals.

Cassie Scheffelmaier led the Riverhawks with 17 points and Kristi Fallin chipped in another 13 along with her game high 10 boards.

South Puget Sound will advance and take on Columbia Basin at 8pm Friday evening while Umpqua will play Skagit Valley in the consolation bracket at 10pm.

MEN Lower Columbia 74 Lane 61
West #1 seed Lower Columbia (14-2, 22-7) got a quick lead and steadily built on it over the course of the game. Lane (7-7, 16-14) kept the game close and only trailed the Red Devils by three at the half 31-28.

Lower Columbia turned up the gas in the second period and increased the margin to 16 at one point and sailed to a 74-61 win.

Marice Tolliver led the Red Devils in scoring with 18 and Alex king and Robert Edwards combined for 22 more. Tolliver also paced the team in rebounds with nine and blocks with three. Robert Edwards dished out four assists.

Dominique Watson was the game's high scorer with 19 and Brent Jones and Travon Mouton chipped in another 21 for the Titans. Watson also led in rebounds with nine and him and three steals.

The win sends Lower Columbia into tomorrow's 6pm game against Yakima Valley while Lane will attempt to stay alive against Whatcom in a must win game for both clubs at 12pm.

WOMEN Columbia Basin 85 Skagit Valley 63

Top-ranked Columbia Basin (14-0, 25-3) got off to a fast start and never trailed North #4 seed Skagit Valley (11-5, 19-9). The Hawks built a 17 point lead at the half and cruised the rest of the way in a 85-63 win..

Brittany Cherry had a dynamite game as she tallied 26 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals for the Hawks. Nikki Depeel and Monique Wickenhagen combined on 23 points and Depeel and Alexandria Allen had five assists apiece.

For the Cardinals, Caite Newman, Britni Chalbot and Corrina Sharick were all in double digit scoring. Sharick also totaled 11 boards and Alysssa Hendrickson had four assists.

The Hawks advance to play the winner of the Umpqua - S. Puget Sound match up at 8pm on Friday and Skagit Valley will be pitted against the loser of that game at 10pm Friday.

MEN Spokane 76 Everett 63
North #4 seed Everett (12-4, 20-9) hung close for a half then the top-ranked Spokane Sasquatch (14-0, 28-1) stole the show as they opened a serious lead in the second and maintained it for a 13 point victory.

Matt Dorr and Jordan Gregg ranked up 24 points apiece to lead the Sasquatch scoring. Gregg also had a big game in the paint as he finished with 19 boards along with Robert Lippman's 10. Dorr also collected five assists and four steals.

Jon Moe lead the Titans with 26 points and Stephen Waltman added 12 more along with his 10 rebounds and 3 blocks. Chris Gounds dished five assists and picked three steals.

Spokane advances to play the winner of the Clackamas - South Puget Sound game on 8pm on Friday while Everett will take on the loser of that game at 10pm Friday.

WOMEN Lower Columbia 81 Linn-Benton 59

The Lower Columbia Red Devils (14-2, 22-6) only trailed for a brief few moments in the opening minutes then proceeded to show why they were the West's top seed as they soundly defeated South #4 seed Linn-Benton (8-6, 16-13).

Five Red Devils scored in double figures led by Katie Garcin with 19. Nadra Evens had an incredible game scoring 12 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, and seven steals. Rene Evans led LCC rebounders with seven boards and guard Jesse Hanna collected five assists and six steals.

Jessica Vorpahl led the Roadrunner attack with 14 points, thirteen rebounds and three steals. Destiny Neunshcwander and Kati Quigley also chipped in 9 points apiece.

The win propels Lower Columbia against Spokane at 6pm Friday while Linn-Benton takes on Bellevue in the consolation bracket at 12pm on Friday.

MEN Umpqua 68 Grays Harbor 63

The West fourth seed Grays Harbor Chokers () had the South top seed Umpqua Riverhawks () on the ropes midway through the first period with a 10 point lead, but the Riverhawks stuck around to tie the contest at 37 going into the half.

Umpqua kept Grays Harbor at bay until late in the contest when the Chokers made a surge to take the lead by three with less than 4 minutes remaining. The Riverhawks then went on another scoring spree to take a five point win 68-63.

Kenan Dizdarevic, Tyler Barnes, Edwin Richardson and Jarrad Childs all finished with double figures for the Riverhawks; Dizdarevic lead the group with 21 points. Barnes and Richardson tag teamed the middle and collected a combined 26 rebounds. Jarred Childs robbed the Chokers for six steals.

Cameron Edison scored 20 on 62.5 percent shooting for the Chokers while Brad Hodge and Nick Schultens added 13 apiece. Edison pulled down 10 boards and Courtney Beach dished 6 assists.

Umpqua advances to take on Bellevue at 4pm on Friday while Grays Harbor will attempt to stay alive in the consolation bracket against Big Bend at 10am on Friday.

WOMEN Walla Walla 66 Everett 64

There was only one lead change in the game - and it occurred in the last 18 seconds of the game. In what was arguably the biggest upset of the tournament so far, Walla Walla trailed the entire game until Ali Tabor sank a three-pointer that tied the game and got the Warrior crowd in a frenzy. Brittanie Toone then followed up with another field goal seconds later to seal the upset victory for the Warriors. Allie Dreadfulwater assisted on both winning shots.

The Warriors were lead by Katie Strunk's 18 points, Tabor's 14 and Toone's 10. Strunk was huge on the boards with 17 rebounds and four steals while Dreadfulwater dished five assists.

Everett's Kristina Schumacher ripped the nets for 32 points and Oliana Seanoa grabbed 9 boards for the Trojans. Keena Hopkins distributed five assists and grabbed four steals.

The Warriors (8-6, 22-6) will advance to play Centralia at 2pm on Friday while Everett will take on Clackamas in a must- win situation in the consolation bracket at 8am Friday.

MEN Peninsula 88 Treasure Valley 70
The Peninsula Pirates (13-3, 23-7) came into the game a #1 seed and it looked for awhile that they were going to make an early exit to the consolation bracket. The Treasure Valley Chukars (6-8, 9-18), the East #4, seed was holding their own with the Pirates and were up by 13 at one point in the first half and were up 44-39 heading into the break.

The Pirates got things ironed out in the locker room and return to play with passion, outscoring the Chukars 49-26 to take a 88-70 win.

Dominick Lozano led the Pirates with 23 points while Jesse Bean and Clay Greenland added 18 and 17 points each. Christian Harris dominated the key with 12 boards and Greenland grabbed nine more. Harris and Greenland also snatched four steals apiece.

Treasure Valley's Shane Miller was the game's top scorer with 27 points on 10 of 17 shooting. Josh Smith and Kyle Hart combined to pull down 13 rebounds for the Chukars.

Peninsula advances to play Southwestern Oregon at 2pm on Friday while TreasureValley and Highline will meet in the consolation bracket for a chance to stay alive in the tournament at 8am on Friday.

WOMEN Lane 91 Grays Harbor 32
The two-time defending champion Lane Titans (14-0, 27-3) came out of the gates smoking and completely smothered the Grays Harbor Chokers (8-9, 9-18). The Titans possessed a 38 points half time advantage and increased that to 59 by the final buzzer.

Sheena Cole and Jennifer Kimbrow led the Titans scorers with 15 points each and Mercedes Alexander and Nicole Morgan combined for 23 more. Four Titans had six boards and eight had two or more steals in the contest.

Kellie Read led the Chokers with 13 points and Sarah Sides collected six boards and three assists. Lauren Harris picked the Titans for three steals.

Lane will advance to play Yakima Valley at 4pm Friday in a rematch of last year's championship game while Grays Harbor and Seattle will battle to stay alive in the Tournament at 10am on Friday.

MEN Yakima Valley 81 Whatcom 71

The Whatcom Orcas (12-4, 20-8) held a small lead over the Yakima Valley Yaks (9-5, 21-7) for most of the first period and took a 31-29 advantage into the locker room at the half.

The second half was a back and forth affair as the two clubs traded leads until the 7:43 mark when the Yaks began to pull ahead and eventually sealed the win 81-71.

Nico Sandovall and Anothony Johnson combined for 49 points as both shot 50% from the floor for the Yaks. Ben Wilson added 11 and LeMar Anglin 10. Jody Johnson had a monster game in the paint with 17 rebounds and three steals while Sandoval and Johnson collected six assists each and a combined seven steals.

Zach Henifin and Ryan Christensen tallied 39 points for the Orcas. Christensen and Zac Andus pulled down six boards apiece and Henifin dished out six assists and four blocked shots.

Yalima Valley will advance to meet the winner of the Lower Columbia - Lane game on Friday at 6pm. The Orcas will drop to the consolation bracket to play the loser of that contest at 12pm on Friday.

WOMEN Spokane 58 Bellevue 47
The Bellevue Bulldogs (12-4, 17-12) kept it a close game until midway through the first half when the Spokane Sasquatch (10-4, 20-7) began to increase the scoring margin between the two squads. Spokane took a comfortable first half lead of 34-23 on the hot hands of Ashlee Michelson who had 13 in the period.

The Bulldogs kept pace with the Sasquatch in the second but couldn't overcome the first half deficit in a 58-47 Spokane win.

Michelson and Kellee Neal combined on 25 points to lead Spokane. Michelson also led the rebounders with 10 while Eleaya Schuerch and Liz Beardslee had four assists apiece.

Marissa Bower led the Bulldogs with 14 on 6 of 9 shooting while Brianna Lewis and Ashanii Lewis combined for 23 more. Bower also led the team in rebounds with seven and Kaneshia Brooks tallied four assists. Lewis, Brooks and Alicia Tennyson combined on seven steals.

With the win, Spokane advances to play the winner of the Lower Columbia - Linn-Benton game at 6pm on Friday. Bellevue moves on to the consolation bracket to face the Lower Columbia - Linn-Benton loser on Friday at 12pm

WOMEN Yakima Valley 94 Seattle 69
The Yakima Valley Yaks (11-3, 24-5) jumped out quick, taking a 51-28 half time lead and were never threatened cruising to an easy 94-69 win over the Seattle Storm (12-4, 19-9).

The Yaks had four players in double digit scoring lead by Brittany Weaver's 21 points and Alex Moore-Porter's 16. Moore-Porter and Kylie Shaw tallied eight boards apiece while Chelsey Nill distributed six assists. Gena Woodke and Andrea Bladgett contributed on defense with four steals each.

The Storm's Kayla Bennett was the game's high scorer with 27 points. Chiaki Nakamura and Sherika Puckett combined on another 22 points while Bennett and Candace Grettenberger pulled down 24 rebounds for the Storm. Nakamura also dished out five assists and stole five Yak balls.

Yakima Valley will advance to meet the winner of the Lane- Grays Harbor game Friday at 4pm. Seattle moves to the consolation bracket and will meet the Lane - grays Harbor loser Friday at 10am.

Men Bellevue 86 Big Bend 84 OT
The Bellevue Bulldogs (12-4, 21-8) established an early lead and took a 45-34 half time lead over the Big Bend Vikings (10-4, 21-7).

The Vikings performed a 180 degree turn around in the second and tied the contest at 78 when the final buzzer sounded.

Michael Duty got the Bulldogs off to a great start with two buckets in the opening minutes of the five minute overtime and Bellevue held on to win 86-84.

Duty led the Bulldogs with 24 points on 9 of 12 shooting. Josh Monagle added 19 and Steve Winsley 11. Duty was all over the floor for Bellevue pulling down 10 boards along with his four assists and three steals.

Cameron Mero was top scorer for Big Bend with 26 on 7 of 13 shooting and three from beyond the arc. Daley Landon was also hot with 23 on 7 of 11 shooting and four 3 pointers. Kolby Secrist grabbed eight boards James York tallied five assists. Mero was also all over the Bulldog offense with five take-aways.

Bellevue will meet the winner of the Umpqua - Grays Harbor game on Friday at 4pm while Big Bend will meet the loser in the consolation bracket at 10am.

Men
SW Oregon 72
Highline 64
The Southwestern Oregon Lakers (9-5, 21-9) and Highline Thunderbirds (12-4, 17-12) traded leads in the first half with Southwestern taking a four point lead into the locker room up 30-26.

The Lakers continued to hold the lead in the second, increasing the margin by 10 with 12 minutes remaining. Highline hung close and reduced the lead to two with four minutes left but couldn't contain the Lakers in a 72-64 decision.

Joseph Foster led the Lakers scorers with 19 and Emmanuel Olekaibe added 16. Olekaibe had seven rebounds and Matt Dance chipped in another six. Bobby Watkins led the attack with seven assists.

For Highline, Jesse Norris led the scorers with 13 while Cody Thueringer and Shedrick Nelson combined on 21. Stedman Richardson and Coby Gibler both had nine boards. Norris tagged two blocks in the contest.

SW Oregon advances to play the winner of Peninsula - Treasure Valley tomorrow at 2pm while Highline will move to the consolation bracket to play the of loser at 8am.

WOMEN Centralia 58 Clackamas 44
It was a close contest until the Centralia Trailblazers (14-2, 24-6) began to gradually pull away from the Clackamas Cougars (9-5, 19-10) with just less than 11 minutes remaining in the first half. The Trailblazers took a 25-19 half time lead sparked by Amanda Atcheson's eight first period points.

After holding a comfortable lead for much of the second period, the Cougars pulled back to within three, but that just re ignited Centralia as they ripped off another big lead to win 58-43.

Atcheson was the scoring leader for Centralia with 18 while Megan Peabody tallied 12 of her own. Deanna Riffe was huge on the boards, pulling down ten and Mandy McFadden grabbed seven more. Atcheson and Alysha Kofstad dished four assist each.

Rachel Copeland scored 18 for the Cougars and Monique Tribble chipped in 12. Jill Niebergall led the Clackamas rebounders with nine while Tribble and Ashley Cunningham combined on 13 more.

The Trailblazers advances to take on the winner of the Walla Walla - Everett game at 2pm tomorrow while Clackamas will move to the consolation bracket to play the loser at 8am tomorrow.

2008 Basketball Brackets - Updated
2008-02-25 22:54:28

The 2008 NWAACC Basketball Championship brackets have been updated with first round pairings. See links below.

Men's Basketball Bracket

Women's Basketball Bracket

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NWAACC Basketball Final Polls
2008-02-24 17:45:58

Spokane Men consensus top pick all season
Spokane (14-0, 27-1) have been the unanimous number 1 pick all season long in the Horizon Air/Coaches Poll. The only blemish on the Sasquatch's record was an early December six-point loss to #3 Peninsula. South Division Champion Umpqua (12-2, 22-6) holds their #2 ranking for the second consecutive week. After a dip to sixth last week, North Division Champion Peninsula (13-3, 22-7) rises back to third in the final poll. West Division Champion Lower Columbia (14-2, 21-7) drops a spot to round out the top four.

Big Bend (10-4, 21-6) holds in the fifth position and Highline (12-4, 17-11) makes their poll debut at number 6. A host of North Division squads occupy the final two spots; 2007 NWAACC Championship runner-up Bellevue (12-4, 20-8) reenters the poll in the seventh spot while Whatcom (12-4, 20-8) and Everett (12-4, 20-8) tie for eighth. [view poll]

Lane grabs top votes from Columbia Basin
After a week as the consensus top pick, Columbia Basin (14-0, 24-3) gets some heat from the two-time defending NWAACC Champions Lane (14-0, 26-3). The Hawks collected six first place votes to remain the top pick for the third consecutive poll. The Titans tallied two top votes and remain in the second spot. In their only meeting this season, Columbia Basin won a 78-70 decision over Lane in a late December tournament.

Umpqua (11-3, 25-4) holds at number three while 2007 NWAACC Championship runner-up Yakima Valley (11-3, 23-5) remains in the number four spot. North Division Champion Everett (14-2, 21-7) and Spokane (10-4, 19-7) trade positions in the fifth and sixth spots. Centralia (14-2, 23-6) holds at number seven and Seattle (12-4, 19-8) enters the poll at number eight. [view poll]

NWAACC Basketball Tournament Ticket Prices
2008-02-21 19:56:46

The Toyota Center is selling tournament passes through TicketMaster this year.

Tournament passes can be purchased prior through Wednesday, February 27 for $25 per tournament at TicketMaster, GI Joe and Fred Meyer locations in the Tri-Cities and at the Toyota Center ticket office.

Here is the TicketMaster link

Ticket Prices during the tournament
4-Day Tournament Pass $31

Day Passes
$11 - Adults
$7 - Students/Seniors (60 and above)/Staff/Military
$5 - 7-12 years old
Free- 6 and under

Video Services at the Event (Game DVDs & more)
2008-02-19 13:49:28

Do you have a Skillshow? Skillshow (www.skillshow.com) will be at the event filming ALL games!

Subscribe to www.skillshow.com with a Basketball ACT System 'Level 3' account (Online athletic resume for $15.95/mo.) and get a FREE Game DVD! Just tell us your Athlete ID & choose the Game Film you want…its that easy!

To order your DVD copies of the games, or to get a personalized 'highlight' video, from the NWAACC Championships, you can find the order form Link here.

Complete the Order Form and present it at the booth or fax it to 206-343-6601 (Skillshow Seattle).

DVDs can be available for pick up at the event for those players, parents, or others, or they can be mailed to you.

Good Luck!

Skillshow, Inc.

206-652-1288

NWAACC Winter All-Academic Teams Announced
2008-02-12 18:13:18

NWAACC Winter All-Academic Teams

To be nominated athletes must meet the following requirements:

Be a sophomore in Eligibility
Have a minimum of 36 Credits Earned
Hold a 3.25 Cumulative GPA
Be recommended by the College

Men's Basketball [print version]

Mike Bagby	3.95	Whatcom
Adam Brickley	3.46	Clackamas
Josh Broussard	3.60	Highline
Ryan Christensen	3.40	Whatcom
Jon Clift	3.63	Spokane
Ryan Goodwin	3.68	Treasure Valley
Scott Halasz	3.44	Pierce
Kenneth Rice	3.27	Chemeketa
Jeffrey Sego	3.61	Clackamas
Brett Vriesman	3.35	Big Bend
Bobby Watkins	3.80	Southwestern Oregon
Steven Willis	3.38	Tacoma
Rob Wood	3.26	Chemeketa

Women's Basketball [print version]

Amanda Atcheson	3.50	Centralia
Whitney Beyerlin	3.49	Bellevue
Megan Borjesson	3.39	Green River
Alexa Breidenbach	3.78	Edmonds
Danielle Bue	3.36	Bellevue
Heather Burke	3.53	Big Bend
Lisa Busch	3.72	Lane
Rachel Copeland	3.70	Clackamas
Ashley Curley	3.84	Treasure Valley
Lindsey Duval	3.26	Linn-Benton
Jayme Estep	3.81	Seattle
Tammie Hilla	3.47	Highline
Kyoko Hirota	3.88	Edmonds
Megan Holmes	3.69	Lower Columbia
Kim Kishi	3.77	Whatcom
Kathleen Luce	3.58	Southwestern Oregon
Jessica Mansell	3.84	Portland
Denay Martin	3.46	Umpqua
Ashlee Michelson	3.75	Spokane
Nicole Morgan	3.81	Lane
Chiaki Nakamura	3.63	Seattle
Kellee Neal	3.56	Spokane
Kelsey New	3.86	Clackamas
Tiffany Powell	3.74	Blue Mountain
Kippy Powers	3.60	Clark
Ashley Sanders	3.79	Blue Mountain
Kristina Schumacher	3.68	Everett
Sarah Sides	3.65	Grays Harbor
Alicia Tennyson	3.92	Bellevue
Kerstin Torrescano	3.30	Highline
Monique Tribble	3.31	Clackamas
Katelyn White	3.26	Linn-Benton

Basketball: Spokane men and Columbia Basin women unanimous top picks
2008-02-05 15:01:57

Spokane tops men's poll for eighth consecutive week
The top ranked Spokane Sasquatch (8-0, 21-1) have garnered every #1 vote this season and have been largely unchallenged during their current fifteen game winning streak. Umpqua (9-0, 19-4) moves up a spot to second. The Riverhawks are on a ten game win streak and appear to be on cruise control in the South Division. West Division leader Lower Columbia (9-0, 16-5) moves up three spots to number three and North Division leader Whatcom (9-1, 17-5), who was previously unranked, is fourth.

Big Bend (7-1, 18-3), who's only loss in their last fourteen games was to top-ranked Spokane, are fifth this week. Peninsula (7-2, 16-6) dropped a pair of league games recently and falls from second to sixth. A pair of newcomers, Everett and Clackamas, joins this week's top eight. Everett (8-2, 16-6) comes in at seventh while last year's league champion Clackamas (6-3, 14-10) makes its poll debut at eighth. [view poll]

Columbia Basin takes sole possession of the women's top ranking
The Columbia Basin Hawks (9-0, 19-3), who are on a 16-1 run, are number one for the second consecutive poll. The Hawks only loss since December 13th was a two point loss to fourth-ranked Yakima Valley on the road. The Lane Titans (9-0, 21-3) move up a spot to second this week. The two-time defending champion Titans are on a 14-1 run with their only loss at the hands of top-ranked Columbia Basin at the tail end of December. Umpqua (7-2, 21-3) suffered a pair of league losses to Lane and Clackamas on the road and drops to third this week. Yakima Valley (7-2, 19-4), who's only losses have come against ranked opponents, is fourth.

Spokane (6-2, 15-5) moves up a spot to fifth while North Division leader Everett (8-2, 15-7) leaps from eighth to sixth. North Division leader Centralia (8-1, 17-5) holds in seventh position while Walla Walla (5-4, 18-4), who have gone 5-4 since jumping out to a 13-0 start, plummets from fourth to eighth this week. [view poll]

Polls: Spokane tops men; Columbia Basin and Umpqua tops women
2008-01-17 19:28:55

Spokane men runaway favorites in the Horizon Air/Coaches poll
The Sasquatch (4-0, 17-1) are on a ten game roll and haven't been in danger of losing since second-ranked Peninsula (4-0, 13-4) gave them their only loss of the season December 5th, 75-69. The Pirates have their own six-game win streak and have been on cruise control during that run. Umpqua (4-0, 14-4) made the biggest leap in the polls going from eight to third this week. Big Bend also made a jump from seventh to fourth. Lower Columbia (4-0, 11-5) debuts in the top eight this week in the six spot while Grays Harbor (3-2, 12-4) and Southwestern Oregon (3-1, 11-8) come in at seventh and eighth. [view poll]

Columbia Basin and Umpqua dethrone Walla Walla in the ladies' poll
The Columbia Basin (4-0, 14-3) collected five first place votes and Umpqua three as both squads tallied 58 points to tie for top-ranking in this week's poll. The Hawks are on a four game East Division winning streak including a ten point win over previously top-ranked Walla Walla. Umpqua (3-1, 17-2) were riding a twelve-game winning streak until a loss last night to third-ranked Lane. Lane (4-0, 16-3) have won their last five games since a 78-70 loss to Columbia Basin. Walla Walla (2-2, 15-2), who suffered a couple of league losses since last poll, comes in at fourth. Yakima Valley (3-1, 15-3) drop a few spots to fifth, Spokane (2-0, 12-3) remains in sixth spot, Centralia (4-0, 13-4) moves up one to seventh, and Everett (4-1, 11-6) breaks into to the top eight for the first time this season. [view poll]

Sasquatch, Lady Warriors continue to top basketball polls
2008-01-04 16:05:52

Spokane continues to top men's poll
The East leading Spokane Sasquatch (13-1) again collected all eight first place votes to remain atop of the men's poll for the sixth straight week. The Sasquatch are outscoring opponents by nearly 20 ppg. Another East Division squad, Yakima Valley (12-2) moves up three spot to number two. The Yaks are on a four-game win streak and are winning games by an average of 10 ppg. Peninsula (10-4), the only squad to beat top-ranked Spokane, moves up a spot to number three. Last year's NWAACC runner-up Bellevue (9-4) are holding their own against stiff competition with their only recent loss coming at the hands on second-ranked Yakima Valley.

Southwestern Oregon (11-4) moves up three spots to fifth; Grays Harbor (9-3) suffered a couple of losses and dips from second to sixth; Big Bend (11-2) holds at seventh; and Umpqua (10-4) re-enters the polls at eighth. [view poll]

Top-ranked Lady Warriors remain perfect on the season
Walla Walla (13-0) continues to outpace opponents with a combination of tough defense and sound offense. The Lady Warriors only close contests have been against a talented Treasure Valley Alumni team and Lane, the two-time defending NWAACC Champions. Umpqua (14-1), on a nine game winning streak, moves up a spot to number two. The Riverhawks continue to blow away opponents with their overpowering offense including a 23 point blow-out of seventh-ranked Big Bend last week. Yakima Valley (12-2) are on a six game winning streak and move up a couple of spots from fifth to third while Columbia Basin (10-3) remains at fourth.

Lane (12-3) dips a few spots to fifth; Spokane (9-3) holds at sixth; Big Bend (10-3) moves into the poll for the fist time this season at seventh; and Centralia (10-4) dips a spot from seventh to eighth this week. [view poll]

East Division squads top men's and women's polls
2007-12-20 13:59:43

Spokane men sweep top votes
The Sasquatch (12-1), who reeled-off five straight wins since the December 9th poll, including a 30-point pounding of #4 Peninsula (7-4), grabbed all eight first place votes to remain number one. Grays Harbor (7-1) impressed the voters and shot up from eighth to second this week. Over the previous two weeks, the Chokers racked up quality wins over poll newcomers #7 Big Bend (8-2) and #8 Southwestern Oregon (9-4).

Bellevue (7-3), winners of three straight, also made a big leap moving up four spots to third. Yakima Valley (10-2) drops a spot to fifth while Whatcom (8-2) dips from second to sixth this week.
[View Poll]

Walla Walla moves past Lane for top spot
This week's poll features all eight squads from the previous poll with minor adjustments in the top five. Walla Walla, perfect on the season at 10-0, jump from fifth to number one this week. The Warriors have handled most of their opponents with ease, and defeated previously top-ranked Lane by three en route to a championship at the Walla Walla Crossover.

Lane (10-2), continues to dominate opponents, but drops a spot to second with the loss to Walla Walla. Umpqua (11-1) has been manufacturing huge offensive numbers with their only loss coming at the hands of Salt Lake City CC, a tough NJCAA squad. Columbia Basin (8-2) drops a few spots from second to fourth and Yakima Valley (8-2) moves from third to fifth. Spokane (8-3), Centralia (7-3) and Linn-Benton (7-4) fill-out the top eight.
[View Poll]

Crossover Champions and All-Tournament Teams
2007-12-16 19:39:50

Big Bend Men's Crossover
Champion: Grays Harbor
Runner-up: Lower Columbia

All-Tournament Team
Josh Troyer, Lower Columbia
Daley Landon, Big Bend Community College
J.C. Cook, Clackamas
Justin Burns, Edmonds
Joseph Foster, SW Oregon
MVP: Quilar Marion, Grays Harbor

Lane Men's Crossover
Champion: Bellevue
Runner-up: Peninsula

All-Tournament Team
Justin Brown, Walla Walla
Chris James, Blue Mountain
Demetrick White, Clark
Brent Jones, Lane
Clay Greenland, Peninsula
MVP: Josh Monagle, Bellevue

Mt Hood Women's Crossover
Champion: Lower Columbia
Runner-up: Mt. Hood

All-Tournament Team
Marissa Bower, Bellevue
Alex Melonson, Mt. Hood
Tamika Palmer, Green River
Nadra Evans, Lower Columbia
Kylie Roberts, Treasure Valley
MVP: Sammie Clark, Mt. Hood

Shoreline Men's Crossover
Champion: Highline
Runner-up: Chemeketa

All-Tournament Team
Parys Fox, Shoreline
Cody Thueringer, Highline
Colby Gibler, Highline
Cory Neal, Chemeketa
Anthony Valley, Yakima Valley
Scott Halasz, Pierce
Shane Miller, Treasure Valley
Mike Ragby, Whatcom

South Puget Sound Men's Crossover
Champion: Spokane
Runner-up: Columbia Basin

All-Tournament Team
Nuk-Chin Douglas, Seattle
Chris Scott, South Puget Sound
Jon Clift, Spokane
Matthew Dorr, Spokane
Robert Lippman, Spokane
MVP: Andrew Kilgore, Columbia Basin

Tacoma Women's Crossover
Champion: Columbia Basin
Runner-up: Linn-Benton

All-Tournament Team
Destiny Neuenschwander, Linn-Benton
Lindsey Begaii, Columbia Basin
Kayla Bennett, Seatlle
Britney Knotts, Chemeketa
Bryna Trescott, Everett
MVP: Nikki Depeel, Columbia Basin

Walla Walla Women's Crossover
Champion: Walla Walla
Runner-up: Lane

All-Tournament Team
Mercedes Alexander, Lane
Stephanie Stephens, Lane
Amanda Atcheson, Centralia
Andrea Blodgett, Yakima
Kippy Powers, Clark
Co-MVP: AJ Hawk, Walla Walla
Co-MVP: Becky Jones, Walla Walla

Whatcom Women's Crossover
Champion: Umpqua
Runner-up: Spokane

All-Tournament Team
Rachel Copeland, Clackamas
Trisha Mallahan, Whatcom
Ashlee Michelson, Spokane
Kristin Fallin, Umpqua
Marissa Towry, Umpqua
MVP: Jessica Takara Skagit Valley

Lane, Spokane Open the Season #1 in Latest Poll
2007-12-06 12:17:34

Back to Back NWAACC Champion Lane Tops Ladies Poll
Lane (5-1) begin the season where they left off last year in the #1 spot. The Titans have won most of their games in double digit leads with their only loss coming at the hands of #6 Spokane. Columbia Basin (3-2), fresh off a tough non-NWAACC road trip are in the second spot. Yakima Valley (3-0) are in third followed closely by Umpqua (5-1), just five point behind. Walla Wallla (5-0), Spokane (5-2), Centralia (4-2) and Linn-Benton (5-2) round out the top eight. [view poll]

Spokane Men Look Strong in Season Openers
Spokane (6-0) have cruised in their first six games, including three against teams in the top eight. The Sasquatch have routed opponents by an average of 21.7 points a game with the closest margin of victory at 11 points. Whatcom (5-1) started of the season at 1-1, with a loss at home against #8 Grays Harbor (2-0), but have been gaining strength as the season progresses. Umpqua (3-0) and Yakima Valley come in at 3rd and 4th in the poll. Peninsula (4-1) is fifth while 2006 NWAACC Champions Clackamas (3-3) and Runner-up Bellevue (3-3) are at 6th and 7th spots. [view poll]

Toronto Raptors Add Former Spokane Coach Eric Hughes to Coaching Staff
2007-09-12 23:01:23

September 12, 2007 - The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday they have hired Eric Hughes as their basketball development consultant. He will be responsible for assisting the players with the improvement of their on-court skills.

Hughes, 42, has worked since 2002 as the director of summer player development for Goodwin Sports Management in Seattle, creating workout programs and training NBA players Jamal Crawford, Kevin Durant, Al Horford, Dwight Howard, Gary Payton, Nate Robinson and Rodney Stuckey. He has also been the head coach at the Community Colleges of Spokane in Spokane, Washington during that time. He has compiled an 88-61 (.590) mark in his five seasons, leading the Sasquatch to the Eastern Region championship in 2005 and 2006. He was named Eastern Region Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2006.

Hughes also served as an assistant coach under current Atlanta Hawks assistant Bob Bender at the University of Washington from 1993-2002, as an assistant at the University of California from 1991-93, and as a graduate assistant at Illinois State from 1989-91.

Second Annual Fundraising Golf Tournament a success
2007-08-22 11:15:26

Submitted by George Jackson, Golf Tournament Organizer

KENNEWICK, WASH-The Second Annual NWAACC Basketball Tournament Golf Event was held Saturday, August 18, at Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick, WA. Approximately 130 golfers braved the 80 degree temperature to enjoy themselves and help raise operating funds to support the 2008 NWAACC Basketball Championships, to be held in March 2008 at the Toyota Center in Kennewick.

Thirty-one teams competed in 3 divisions. The Bellevue CC team, led by Women's Head Basketball Coach Steve Lowe, was the overall champion from the Tiger Woods Division, carding a 15-under par score in the full scrambler format. Losing the tiebreaker for first place, also at 15-under par, was the Rock Island Golf Course team from the Wenatchee area, led by basketball referee Doug Lycan. Third place in the Tiger Woods Division was Family Eye Care of Kennewick, at 14-under par, led by former members of the CBC Men’s Championship team on 1989-90, Bruce Robertson and Heath Dolven.

The Tin Cup Division was won by the ConAgra Foods/Lamb Weston team, at 15-under par. ConAgra has been a great supporter of the NWAACC and other local sporting events over the past year in the Tri-Cities. The Judge Smails Division was won by the Lampson International team, who came in at 10-under par.

The tournament was well-supported by many coaches and athletic directors. Continuing tradition, coaches of the defending championship teams participated in the golf tournament—Greg Sheley from Lane, and Clif Wegner from Clackamas. Other coaches in attendance: Steve Lowe (Bellevue), Mark Poth (Big Bend), Jim Worden (Clackamas), Jim Martineau (Clackamas), Steve Gustovich (Clackamas), Rolando Garcia (CBC), Paul Mayer (Hanford HS), Evan Woodward (Hanford HS), Che Dawson (Highline), Rob Nielson (Mt. Hood), Jeff Reinland (Walla Walla), Jimmy Hill (Wenatchee), Pat Fitterer (Eisenhower HS), John Triplett (Yakima Valley). Also in attendance were athletic directors Carl Howell (Tacoma), Fred Schell (Mt. Hood), Ken Burruss (Spokane), Jeremy Beard (CBC), and John Dunn (Highline).

In addition, a majority of the NWAACC schools provided athletic apparel and gifts to be distributed to the golfers. Those donations were much appreciated, and give this tournament that special touch that separates it from the usual mundane fundraising events.

The tournament committee wanted to recognize the non-local schools and organizations who have supported this tournament, understanding the time and financial commitment necessary to travel to Kennewick in the summer to play. Bellevue, Highline, Lane, Wenatchee, Walla Walla, and Yakima all participated this year for the second time; Mt. Hood, Clackamas, Tacoma, Big Bend Spokane, and NWAACC South Officials all participated this year. Byrnes Oil of Walla Walla also sponsored a team, for our first non-local commercial sponsorship. Our hat is off to them for their commitment to making the basketball tournament a "Big Time" experience this coming March. We certainly hope to continue to showcase the Tri-Cities every year for our visitors.

WVC Athletic Director resigns
2007-07-25 13:13:16

Wenatchee, WA-Jessica Schutt joined WVC in the fall of 2004 as the women’s basketball coach and assistant athletic director. Prior to moving to Wenatchee, she was a Division I assistant at Idaho State University at Pocatello.

Under Schutt's leadership, the women Knights tied for a fourth-place position in the 2005 NWAACC East Division playoffs, finished second in the league during the 2006 season and fourth during the 2007 season.

In January 2006, she was appointed to the position of athletic director. She oversaw the creation of holiday basketball camps for children, the WVC Athletic Booster Club and the addition of women’s volleyball to the fall sports roster. Women’s volleyball will start their first season this September.

Ed Weidenbach of Wenatchee has agreed to act as interim athletic director. WVC assistant coaches Mike Walker and Rachel Bromiley will take over the coaching responsibilities for the women’s basketball team.

Meadors to lead LCC women's basketball
2007-07-02 17:08:22

LONGVIEW, WASH- Lower Columbia College has hired a new women's head basketball coach. Chad Meadors will take over the Lady Devil program for the 2007-08 season, replacing Jason Hoseney who retired from coaching.

Meadors, 35, led the Stayton High School girls basketball team to the Oregon 4A championship last March. He was the Eagles head coach for five seasons. Meadors also served one season as the boys assistant coach at Stayton and also gained experience as an assistant at North Marion High, Woodburn High and Kennedy HS in Mount Angel. Meadors also served as the head baseball coach for two seasons at Woodburn.

"This is a dynamic young coach who is ready to bring his talent and desire to the college ranks", said LCC athletic director Kirc Roland. Meadors will also serve Lower Columbia students as an education planner with an emphasis on student persistence. "Chad impressed the selection committee with an honest desire to help students and student-athletes. He is a proven winner and his enthusiasm and preparedness won over the committee."

"I am excited about this great new challenge", said Meadors. "It's a step with plenty of added responsibility, but I feel ready. I look forward to arriving on campus and meeting the players. My goal is to take this already solid program and take it to the next level."

Meadors graduated from North Marion High School where he was a baseball player for the Huskies. He continued his baseball playing career at Chemeketa CC and then Clackamas CC. He then owned his own cattle ranch in Aurora, Oregon before being drawn back into education and coaching. Meadors earned his BS degree in Political Science at Western Oregon University in 2000 right before being hired to teach at Stayton HS. He then took over as the Stayton Head Coach where he steadily led the Eagles to prominence, capped off by the State 4A title last season.

Meadors' teams were known to play top notch defense. Last season his Eagles led the state in fewest points allowed. Four of his players from that team are continuing on to the next level. "Chad is excited to enter the world of college recruiting himself," according to Roland.

Meadors is the tenth head coach in the history of women's basketball at Lower Columbia College. Hosney completed a successful seven year stint at LCC with a record of 128-73 including a fourth place finish at the NWAACC tourney in March. "Jason did a great job coaching the Lady Devils and he will be missed", according to Roland. "Jason has left the program in great shape and Coach Meadors should benefit from Jason's hard work."

Sorenson moves on, Lowe tabbed as Head Coach
2007-06-27 09:12:21

After taking the BCC Women's Basketball from the bottom of the league to the NWAACC Championship Game in just three seasons, head coach Cheryl Sorenson has decided to move on, accepting an assistant coaching position at Eastern Washington University. Sorenson, 27, guided the Bulldogs to back to back Northern Region Championships, highlighted by last season's 25-6 team that advanced all the way to the NWAACC title game. After struggling to a 4-22 finish in her first season, Sorenson's teams tied for the regional title in the NWAACC's Northern Region in both 2005 and 2006.

"Cheryl has done a tremendous job building the women's basketball program into a championship contender, and she did so in a span of just three seasons", said BCC Athletic Director Bill O'Connor. "It was only a matter of time before she was offered an opportunity to move up. We are grateful to have had her here the past three years, and wish her only the best in her move to Eastern Washington."

O'Connor didn't have to look far to find an ideal successor for Sorenson, promoting Assistant Coach Steve Lowe. "Steve has had an instrumental role in the recent success of women's basketball", said O'Connor. "He knows what it takes to be successful at our level, and is more than qualified. Our program is in good hands."

Lowe, 30, is a 2001 graduate of Central Washington University, where he majored in Special Education with a minor in Physical Education and he recieved his Masters of Technology in June 2006. Born and raised in Richland, Washington, Lowe has experience coaching basketball at Richland High School, as well as Lake Washington High School, where he was the head girls basketball coach for the 2003-04 season. He was hired along with Sorenson in 2004, and has served as a lead assistant coach for the past three seasons.

Lowe has announced the hiring of Paulette Martin as his assistant coach. A well known coaching presence in the area, Martin is familiar with the NWAACC, having served as an assistant coach at Shoreline Community College. A 1990 graduate of Indiana University and Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI), Martin is a member of her alma mater's Athletic Hall of Fame. She ranks in IUPUI's top ten in several statistical categories, including career scoring average, field goals made, field goals attempted, and field goal percentage.

BBCC Names New Women's Basketball Coach
2007-04-27 16:44:27

Coach Preston Wilks Moses Lakes, WA. - Preston Wilks jokes that his loyalty to Big Bend Community College is so deep that he has blue and green running in his veins. He is now taking that loyalty to the next level and will lead the Lady Vikings basketball team beginning with the 2007-08 season.

"For 40 years my family has been a part of Big Bend," he said. "I've been an instructor at the college for 11 years and done a lot of different things. I'm excited about this new challenge."

Wilks replaces Craig Randall, who is leaving his post this week as head women's basketball coach to pursue an overseas teaching position. Randall has coached the Lady Vikings since the 2003-04 season.

Wilks has worked as an accounting instructor and administrator at BBCC since 1996. For the past seven seasons he has been an assistant coach for the men's basketball team. Prior to that, he played for the BBCC men's basketball team and was team captain during the 1988-89 season.

"When you take all those things in context, this is the next thing for me to do at BBCC," Wilks said. "It is a natural fit."

Wilks' first charge as head coach is to recruit new players for the 2007-08 season. He believes college athletics offers a variety of learning experiences for student athletes, including using the basketball court as a learning environment for the frustrations and challenges student-athletes will face their entire life.

"We only have four players returning," he said. "This is a wonderful opportunity for some girls and it is wide open right now."

Wilks wants the Lady Vikings to aspire to be a championship caliber team.

"We want to get the program back to the level it was in 2002 when the team brought home a banner and where it was in 2003 when they lost in the championship playoff game," Wilks said.

Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
2007-04-17 11:08:21

Vancouver, WASH- The 2007 NWAACC Hall of Fame inductees have been announced. The inductees will be honored at the 20th Annual Hall of Fame Banquet being held at the Bellevue Red Lion May 31st. The Hall of Fame includes athletes, coaches, teams and administrators who have enhanced and improved the quality of athletics at Northwest Community Colleges or have distinguished themselves after leaving the NWAACC.

2007 HALL OF FAME INDIVIDUAL INDUCTEES
Fred Andrew, Everett/Bellevue
Leon Edmonds, Bellevue
Harold Heiner, Whatcom
Rob Kelly, NWAACC
Kenny Lyle, Bellevue
Robert Nellams, Bellevue
Steve Sauers, Green River
Phyllis Templin, Tacoma
Bill Tsoukalas, Everett
Mike Willis, Green River

2007 HALL OF FAME TEAM INDUCTEES

BELLEVUE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
1992-93 MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM

Coaches: Ernie Woods (Head), Wil DeCuire, Bob Fronk (Assistants)

Athletes: Kevin Baker, Marko Dresevic, Jason Griffith, Daniel Hallgrimson, Roger Hammond, Keith Higgins, Leon Johnson, Brett Lundeen, Ralph Metzger, Garry Muir, Mark Odsather, Willie Thomas, Roman Wickers.

HIGHLINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
1996-97 & 1997-98 MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM

Coaches: Joe Callero (Head), Jeff Albrecht, TJ Bohl, Brandt Borghorst, Tyler Geving, Fred Harrison, and Kurt Nelson (Assistants).

Athletes: Justin Adam, Reggie Ball, Marty Delange, Neil DeMerritt, Adam Enfield, Josh Geise, Bryan Guy, Derek Johnson, J.J. Ivy, Gabrriel Ladd, Scott Luedke, Shaun Madsen, Garrett Miller, Travis Moore, Brandon Nash, Tom Rockey, Brian Scalabrine, Kyle Templeton, Todd Watts, Quincy Wilder.

SKAGIT VALLEY COLLEGE
1987-88 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM

Coaches: Steve Epperson (Head),Betsy Benson and Julie Walker (Assistants).
Athletes: Tina Barker, Julie Benson, Tina Bumgarner, Jill Fetrow, Chantell Keeley, Heather Klungel, Heidi Klungel, Linda Lorentzon, Jan Robinson, Monica Rooney.

Olson to Coach Lady Gator Basketball
2007-04-10 16:58:25

He's back! After a four year hiatus to enjoy the merits of being a retired educator, legendary girl's basketball coach Dennis Olson has been announced as the new head women's basketball coach at Green River Community College. For 19 seasons, Olson coached the Auburn High School girls' basketball team to unparalleled success. With a record of 402-66, Olson led Auburn HS to 16 Washington State tournaments including seven championship game performances. With two state titles, Olson was named the 1990 National Federation of High School District 8 Coach of the Year. In 1992 Olson was selected as the Washington State Coach of the Year, and then in 2000 was selected by the Seattle Times as the Girls High School Coach of the Century for Washington State.

In 1998 Olson proved his successful formula would work at the college level as he moved to Highline CC where for five seasons he coached the Lady Thunderbirds to a 110-38 record. The team capped an unprecedented run in his first season to the NWAACC Championship contest before finishing with the runner-up trophy. "I'm very excited about being back in Community College basketball," said Olson. "Green River is a great school and I hope to get the women's program as competitive as it used to be."

"We are honored to have Coach Olson join our staff," said Athletic Director Bob Kickner. "My commitment is to provide the highest caliber of coaching possible for our Green River student-athletes. Coach Olson has shown a pattern of success which is built from a foundation of fundamentals and hard work. For a team that has only made the NWAACC tournament twice in the last 17 seasons this is a positive step in the right direction."

Whatcom Community College Appoints Interim Head Women's Basketball Coach
2007-04-05 12:11:05

Bellingham, Wash.-April 4, 2007 - Whatcom Community College announced today the appointment of an interim Women's Head Basketball Coach, Piper Nims. Piper is a graduate of WCC and Western Washington University. She played basketball at Whatcom, completing her eligibility, and since has served as an assistant coach for the past three seasons. Athletic Director Mike Langey added, "Piper brings enthusiasm, energy, and great potential to her new position as interim head coach. We look forward to Piper's leadership of the Orcas."

Piper's responsibilities serving as head coach are effective immediately. Inquiries and questions about women's basketball should be referred to Piper Nims at pnims@whatcom.ctc.edu or by calling (360) 676-2170 ext. 3542.

The appointment followed the announcement that current Head Coach Becky Rawlings is stepping aside for at least one year while she focuses her time and energies on the responsibilities associated with her position as Director of Human Resources for WCC. Rawlings stated, "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time spent building the women’s basketball program at Whatcom and seeing student athletes succeed. However, I am looking forward to focusing my efforts solely on my professional career at Whatcom."

Coach Rawlings served as head coach for 11 years, the program's first and only head coach since its inception. Langey shared, "Becky has emphasized academic excellence while expertly teaching teamwork, skills and strategies to our student-athletes. We are grateful and appreciative for her commitment to the program." Rawlings' teams have earned one division championship and two co-championships during her tenure. Her overall career record was 177 wins and 138 losses.

Whatcom Community College is a comprehensive two-year, state supported college serving approximately 7,000 students per quarter. Whatcom offers transfer degrees, professional training programs, as well as basic education and enrichment classes. For more information on Whatcom Community College, please contact Nate Langstraat at (360) 647-3273 or visit www.whatcom.ctc.edu.

Sheley named Coach of the Year in Women's Basketball
2007-03-23 11:35:42

For the second consecutive year, Lane's Greg Sheley's has been named the NWAACC Women's Basketball Coach of the Year. Sheley led his Titans to their second consecutive NWAACC Championship. The Titans finished the 2006-07 Season 29-4 and won their third-consecutive Southern Region title.

Sheley has been coaching at Lane CC since 1999. He will be honored at the NWAACC's Hall of Fame Banquet being held May 31st in Bellevue, WA.

LCC Women's Basketball Coach Resignation
2007-03-15 11:46:00

By Rick McCorkle
The Daily News
March 14, 2007 -- Longview, Wa.

While the Lower Columbia College women's basketball team was collecting its fourth-place trophy at the NWAACC Championships in Kennewick earlier this month, head coach Jason Hoseney was contemplating a crossroads in his life. Read more...

2007 Sophomore All-Star Results
2007-03-06 11:30:52

Women	Men
West 96 North 80 South 94 East 91 OT	West 96 North 82 East 118 South 98

2007 Basketball Results, Photos & Video Information
2007-03-05 22:40:47

2007 NWAACC CHAMPIONS
Men's Champion: Clackamas Cougars
Women's Champion: Lane Titans

GAME RESULTS: Men :: Women
GAME SUMMARIES: Men :: Women
FINAL BRACKETS: Men :: Women

Action photos from the tournament are available at jeffhinds.com :: Team Photo DVD Order Form

Skillshow Game Videos out of Seattle will be at this year's NWAACC Basketball Championships. This is the company's third year taping the games. Make sure you order a copy of your team's game today!

Order Form

Lane tops Bellevue for repeat
2007-03-04 22:43:47

KENNEWICK, WASH- The Lane Titans led the 2007 NWAACC Championship game from start to finish. The tournament's Most Valuable Player, Mercedes Alexander of Lane proved her value by scoring 10 of Lane's first 16 points. That great start built an eight point advantage from which Bellevue would never recover.

The Titans had an eleven point lead with five minutes remaining on the clock and nine points at halftime. After the half, Bellevue went on a run to cut the lead and tie the game 40-40 with 15:10 left to play. That run took all that Bellevue had left and Lane responded to build an 11 point lead.

Lane won the game off second chance points out rebounding Bellevue 21-9 on the offensive board. The offensive rebounds led to 18 second-chance points.

For Bellevue, Luv Rattler led the Bulldogs with 18 points. Latrina Woods had 17 points.

The Bulldogs finish the season 26-5. Their second place at the NWAACC Tournament is Bellevue's best finish in 13 tournament appearances.

Lane wins their second consecutive title and finish the season 29-4.

Lane's Sheri Gates wins her second NWAACC title. Gates was a member of the 1997 Umpqua team that won the NWAACC Championship. At the time she was Sherri Nowak.

FIRST TEAM
Andrea Blodgett, Yakima Valley; Jennifer Deyoung, Bellevue; Kammy Martindale, Lane; Luv Rattler, Bellevue; Samantha Tinned, Highline.

SECOND TEAM
Sara Bergner, Whatcom; Marissa Bower, Bellevue; Vanessa McCormick, Lower Columbia; Chelsea Morrison, Yakima Valley; Sadie Short, Walla Walla.

MOST VALUABLE: Mercedes Alexander, Lane.

MOST INSPIRATIONAL: Nikki DePeel, Columbia Basin.

Results from March 4, 2007
Lower Columbia 51 def Columbia Basin 46
Lower Columbia (13-3, 20-9) finishes in fourth place. Columbia Basin (9-5, 23-8) finishes seventh.

Yakima Valley 92 def Walla Walla 56
Yakima Valley (12-2, 29-4) finishes third. Walla Walla (9-5, 16-11) finishes sixth.

Highline 61 def Whatcom 52
Highline (14-2, 27-6) finishes fifth. Whatcom (13-3, 21-11) finishes eighth.

Lane 81 def Bellevue 65
Lane (13-1, 29-4) win their second consecutive NWAACC title. Bellevue (13-3, 23-4) finishes second for their best ever finish at the NWAACC Tournament.

Sunday 2 p.m. Women's Game: Walla Walla vs. Yakima Valley
2007-03-04 16:50:42

Leaving little doubt that they are one of the best teams in the NWAACC, the Yakima Valley Yaks bucked off the Walla Walla Warriors to win the third place berth in the 2007 NWAACC Championships.

The final score was 92-56, although the Yaks led the game by as many as 42 points in the second half.

First team Eastern Region all star Chelsie Morrison and second team Eastern Region all star Andrea Blodgett posted the biggest numbers, with 25 and 21 points, respectively.

The Eastern Region Most Valuable Player, Warrior Sadie Short, and teammate Jackie Calhoun had 16 points a piece.

The Warriors take 6th place in the tournament and finish off the year 18-13. The Yaks exit the season 29-4.

Sunday 12 p.m. Women's Game: Highline and Whatcom Play for 5th Place
2007-03-04 14:42:42

In the women's game for fifth place, Highline Thunderbirds flew ahead early on, leading by as many as 14 points in the second half. However, the Orcas refused to end their season without a fight, and with the vocal support of the men's team and their fans behind them, whittled down the lead to three with under two minutes remaining.

Pushed to the edge, the Thunderbirds charged again, encouraged by their own 7th place men's team. Highline scored a series of unanswered points, including a last second fast-break layup, to claim 5th place in the 2007 NWAACC Championships with a final score of 61-52.

Second team Western Region All Star, T-bird Vanessa Baines, knocked back 16 points.

Most Valuable Player of the Western Region, Thunderbird Samantha Tinned, contributed 15 and 14 rebounds.

Northern Region first team All Star, Orca Sarah Bergner, kept the team close by scoring more than half their points - 26 - and pulled down 13 rebounds.

The eighth place Orcas tie up their season 21-11. The Thunderbirds finish 27-6.

Sunday 10 a.m. Women's Game: Lower Columbia and Columbia Basin Play for 4th Place
2007-03-04 12:50:10

In a fiercely contested game where the teams traded the lead more than a dozen times, the Lower Columbia Red Devils spun away from the Columbia Basin Thunderbirds to win fourth place in the 2007 NWAACC Championships, 51-46.

The Red Devils led 48-46 with 27 seconds left in the game. A foul sent Red Devil Samantha James to the line, where she sunk one to increase the lead to three.

A follow up three-point attempt by Thunderbird Brittany Cherry was blocked by Nadra Evans. A fast break field goal by Tricia Hamilton extended the Devil lead to 5 with only 7 seconds left on the clock - not enough time for the Thunderbirds to recover.

Second Team Western Region All Star Samantha James drove the Devils with 21 points. The Hawks high scorer was Eastern Region first team All Star Nikki DePeel with 13.

The Red Devils end their season 20-9. The Thunderbirds finish 21-10.

Saturday 8 p.m. Women's Game: Yakima Valley vs. Lane
2007-03-03 23:13:58

When the NWAACC's number one and number two ranked teams meet in the semi-final, there is always the expectation that it will be a good game - perhaps even better than the championship itself.

However, games don't always live up to the hype and at the end of the first quarter, this seemed to be one of them, with Yakima Valley dominating, 39-27.

But things changed in the second half as the Lane Titans hustled, scrapped and fought for every shot, making this contest one of the most thrilling and fiercely contested games of the tournament.

As the clock wound down in regulation, the Titans tied it with two seconds left, sending the game into overtime.

In overtime, the Titians continued their steamroll, taking the lead and never looking back, finally winning 78-70.

Yakima Valley Yaks

Second team Southern Region All Stars Mercedes Alexander led the Titans to victory with 24 points, followed closely by Kammy Martindale with 22.

For the Yaks, it was second team All Star Andrea Blodgett with the hot hands, sinking 5 of her attempts from beyond the three-point line for a total of 24 points. First team All Star Chelsie Morrison added another 20.

The Titans take on the Bellvue Bulldogs tomorrow at 4:30 for fight for the NWAACC Championships.

The Yaks try to buck the Walla Walla Warriors to claim third place at 2 p.m.

Saturday 6 p.m. Women's Game: Bellevue vs. Walla Walla
2007-03-03 21:30:32

The third ranked Bellevue Bulldogs took a bite out of the Walla Walla Warriors, winning the semi-final game with a score of 58-47.

Northern Region first team all-star Jennifer Deyoung of Bellevue claimed more than a third of her team's points with 23.

Warrior Sadie Short, the Eastern Region Most Valuable Player, posted more than a third of her team's total as well with 19.

The Bulldogs advance on to play in the NWAACC Championship game against the winner of the 8 p.m. bout between number 1 ranked Lane and number 2 ranked Yakima Valley.

The Warriors will try for third against the loser in that same game tomorrow at 2 p.m..

Saturday 4 p.m. Women's Game: Whatcom vs. Chemeketa
2007-03-03 18:57:42

In yet another fantastic women's game, the Whatcom Orcas fended off a strong second half come back charge by the Chemeketa Storm to win today's afternoon game, 55-51.

Sara Bergner scored more than a third of Whatcom's points, 21.

K. Lambert inspired the Storm comeback with 23 points.

The Storm's season dissipates with a 21-11 record.

Saturday 2 p.m. Women's Game: Everett vs. Lower Columbia
2007-03-03 18:09:14

Playing in front of a hometown crowd, Lower Columbia was was able to channel that energy when it mattered the most, right at the end, triumphing over the Everett Trojans, 63-60.

For the Red Devils, Samantha James posted the team-high 15 points, with four of her teammates each bringing 11 or 10 to the table. Doubles-doubles were had by Jessi Hanna and Vanessa McCormick.

Trojan Kristin Moore showed why she's the Northern Region Most Valuable Player with 24 points.

The Red Devils will play for fourth place in the NWAACC tournament against Columbia Basin tomorrow at 10 a.m.

The Trojans finish off their season 24-7.

Saturday 12 p.m. Women's Game: Columbia Basin vs. Skagit Valley
2007-03-03 16:03:45

With a 19-point lead in the second quarter, it seemed that nothing was going to stop the Columbia Basin Hawks from preying on the Skagit Valley Cardinals.

However, the Cardinal women clawed their way back, finding themselves in possession of the ball with five seconds left to play...and down by two.

After numerous time outs, the teams took to the floor. However, the Hawks covered the overwhelmed Cardinals very defensively and a Hawk player was left holding the ball as time expired.

With a score of 64-62, the Hawks advance to play the winner of today's 2 p.m. game between Everett and Lower Columbia.

Notable players in today's game were Hawks Karli Thomas with 14 points and Nikki DePeel with 12 rebounded.

Corinna Sharick added 23 points for the Cardinals and Shawmonee Holm pulled down 16 rebounds.

The Cardinals end their season 21-8.

Saturday 10 a.m. Women's Game: Highline vs. Linn-Benton
2007-03-03 13:50:48

In a game that was much closer than the score indicated, the Highline Thunderbirds defeated the Linn-Benton Roadrunners 69-59.

The two teams traded basket for basket until the five minute mark, when the Thunderbirds pulled away, lead by Samantha Tinned 21 points and 11 rebounds and Rylee Denbo's 17 points.

The Roadrunners kept close thanks to Destiny Neuenschwander's 18 points and Chelsea Hartman's 14 rebounds.

Linn-Benton finishes the season 23-9, while the Thunderbirds advance to tomorrow's 5th place contention against the winner of the noon Whatcom-Chemeketa match-up.

Friday 10 p.m. Women's Game: Chemeketa vs. Tacoma
2007-03-03 00:41:17

The Chemeketa Storm nearly blew a 24 point lead over the Tacoma Storm in the second half - seeing the score come as close as two points apart with 20 seconds left in the game - but managed to hang on to win 77-72.

Southern Region Most Valuable Player Alysse Carlson scored a game-high 26 points, while teammate Katy Lambert posted 21.

For the Storm, Jocelyn Moore served up a double-double, with 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Chemeketa continues their play tomorrow at 4 p.m. against Whatcom.

The Storm finish their season 18-11.

Friday 8 p.m. Women's Game: Everett vs. Yakima Valley
2007-03-02 22:37:57

The number two ranked Yakima Valley Yaks demonstrated why they're in a top spot Friday night in the playoff game against the Everett Trojans, winning convincingly by a 39 point margin, 95-56.

Trojan Andrea Blodgett led the game in scoring with 18 points. Teammate Whitney Honn posted a 10-10 double-double.

The Yaks advance to tomorrow's 8 p.m. game versus the number one ranked Lane Titans in what is sure to be an exciting match-up.

The Trojans will face Lower Columbia at 2 p.m.

Friday 6 p.m. Women's Game: Walla Walla vs. Skagit Valley
2007-03-02 20:47:55

The Walla Walla Warriors controlled their 6 p.m. game against the Skagit Valley Cardinals, winning easily 61-46.

Most Valuable Player of the Eastern Region, Sadie Short, proved again that she's Walla Walla's greatest weapon, pulling down a massive 24 rebounds - almost half of the team's total. She also tied for the team lead in scoring with 14 points, despite shooting less than 20% from the field.

Four players for the Cardinals scored all of their 46 points, distributed almost evenly among them.

Walla Walla goes up against Bellview tomorrow night at 6 p.m. Skagit Valley will face Columbia Basin at noon.

Friday 4 p.m. Women's Game: Bellevue vs. Columbia Basin Hawks
2007-03-02 19:39:54

While the male Bulldogs and Hawks battled a close game next door, the female Bellevue Bulldogs had a bit more breathing room in their 71-65 win. In the end, it was the three-pointers that made a difference - while the Bulldogs sunk nearly half of theirs, the Hawks only sunk in a quarter.

Jennifer Deyong shot nearly 60% from the field and was 2/2 on three-point attempts for a Bulldog-leading 22 points.

For the Hawks, three players scored all but four of their points - Nikki DePeel scored 23, Alexandria Allen had 17 and Brittany Cherry shot 21.

The Bulldogs advance to tomorrow's 6 p.m. game versus the winner of tonight's 6 p.m. match-up between Skagit Valley and Walla Walla. Columbia Basin will play whoever comes up short in that game.

Friday 2 p.m. Women's Game: Lane vs. Lower Columbia
2007-03-02 18:55:07

Number one ranked Lane Titans dominated their game versus Lower Columbia today, finishing 24 points ahead of the Red Devils, who shot only 23% from the field. The final score was 59-35, making it the combined lowest-scoring women's game in NWAACC tournament history.

Lane's Kammy Martindale was the leading scorer with 19 points, while teammate Nicole Morgan snagged 12 rebounds

For the Red Devils, Jessi Hanna racked up nearly a third of the team's points with 10, and was the only Red Devil in the double digits in any category.

Lower Columbia will play the loser of the Yakima Valley vs. Everett game at 8 p.m. tonight. The Titans will take on the winner of that game at 8 p.m. tomorrow.

Friday 12 p.m. Women's Game: Highline vs. Clackamas
2007-03-02 15:56:27

Samantha Tinned came up big for the Highline Thunderbird women in today's game, nearly tripling the scoring of her nearest teammates.

Led by her 32 points and team-high 13 rebounds, the Highline Thunderbirds defeated the Clackamas Cougars 82-78.

Kelsey New scored 25 points for the Cougars, sinking six - 60% of her attempts - from beyond the three-point line.

The Cougars exit the tournament with a 20-10 record. The Thunderbirds will take on Linn-Benton tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Friday 10 a.m. Women's Game: Linn Benton vs. Centralia
2007-03-02 12:59:12

In a game that was close up until in the end, the Linn Benton Roadrunners defeated the Centralia College Trailblazers, 69-62.

Destiny Neuenschwander led the Roadrunners in scoring with 17 points. Whitney Bryant fought for the most rebounds, pulling down 14. For the Trailblazers, Ashlee Fitch led the scoreboard with 21 points and 15 rebounds.

Centralia exits the tournament with a 18-12 season record. The Roadrunners advance in the tournament to take on the winner of the noon Highline-Clackamas matchup.

Friday 8 a.m. Women's Game: Wenatchee vs. Whatcom
2007-03-02 11:25:41

Both the Orcas and the Knights played a fast-paced game, but Whatcom took advantage of Wenatchee's poor shooting from the field (32%), coming up with a 66-55 win.

Whatcom's NWAACC scoring leader Sara Bergner, did not disappoint the Orcas with 21 points. Teammate Trisha Mallahan was right behind her with 19 points.

Whatcom will advance and play the winner of the Chemeketa versus Tacoma game tonight at 10 p.m.

Wenatchee has been eliminated and finishes the season 14-16.

Basketball All-Star Teams Announced
2007-02-27 17:29:46
Vancouver WA. - The 2006-07 NWAACC Men and Women's All-Star teams and regional Coach of the Year selections have been announced. View Teams: Men's All-Stars :: Women's All-Stars Congratulations to the athletes and coaches selected to this year's team.

Lane Lady Titans Remain Top-Ranked
2007-02-27 10:53:01

Vancouver, WA - The Lane Titans (25-4), last year's NWAACC Champions, collected five of the eight first place votes to top the ladies' poll. East Champion Yakima Valley (26-3) comes in at second with North Co-Champion Bellevue (23-4) at third. West Champion Highline (24-5) rings in at fourth East runner-up Columbia Basin (19-8) in fifth. The Linn-Benton Roadrunners (22-7) enter the poll for the first time this season at sixth. The Roadrunners have accounted for two of top-ranked Lane's four losses. Clackamas (20-8) is seventh for the fourth straight poll and North Co-Champion Everett (23-5) is eighth. View Poll

2007 NWAACC Basketball Championships
2007-02-26 01:43:02

The brackets for the 2007 Men's & Women's NWAACC Baskteball Championships have been posted:
Men's :: Women's :: Basketball Tournament Page

Lane Rises to Top the Feb 12 Women's Basketball Rankings
2007-02-12 14:04:14

Vancouver, Wash. - Last year's Women's Tournament Champions Lane Titans rises to take the top spot in the February 12 NWAACC/Horizon Air Basketball coaches poll. The Titans have been perfect in the South Division going 11-0 with an overall record of 23-3. Previous top-ranked East Division leaders Yakima Valley drops a spot to second. The Yaks (9-2, 23-3) suffered a road loss on February 7th which cost them a few votes. First place votes were divided between Lane (4), Yakima Valley (2) and the third-ranked team in this week's poll, Bellevue (10-2, 20-3). Everett, the North Division leaders, round out the top four.

Highline holds firm at the fifth spot; Columbia Basin drops two positions to sixth; Clackamas is at seventh for the third straight poll; and previously unranked Lower Columbia enters the rankings at 8th. [View Poll]

Women's Players of the Week #4
2007-02-02 11:41:11

Eastern Region
Krista Kulm, Treasure Valley
Krista was an instrumental part of Treasure Valley's win over Walla Walla on January 27th. The freshman from Jerome HS had 16 points and seven rebounds against the Warriors. She leads the Chukars in scoring and rebounding.

Northern Region
Shawmonee Holm, Skagit Valley
A freshman center from Anacortes, Shawmonee led the Cardinals to victory over Bellevue last week. She provided the Cardinals with 18 points and 10 rebounds in their three-point victory. In the Northern Region, Holm is fourth in scoring, second in rebounding and is first for blocks.

Western Region
Ashlee Fitch, Centralia
Ashlee is a sophomore from Tenino High School who helped lead the Trailblazers to victory over Lower Columbia and Pierce last week. In the game against Lower Columbia, Fitch scored 17 points, had 10 rebounds and three steals. The victory brought Centralia within a half game of Lower Columbia and was important for their bid to make the NWAACC Basketball Championships.

Southern Region
Inge Pe'a, Portland
Inge is a sophomore center from Newberg High School who had a great week for the Panthers. During the week she had 16 points vs Mt hood (8-12 shooting) and 34 points and 13 rebounds vs SW Oregon.

Yakima remains on top
2007-01-30 09:16:07

Yakima keeps their number one ranking which they have held all season. Lane leaps over Bellevue into second and Bellevue drops to third. Columbia Basin, Highline, Everett and Clackamas all retain their same positions. Previously unranked Tacoma moves into the eighth spot.

Poll

Women's Players of the Week (Week #3)
2007-01-23 14:35:36

Northern Region
Kristina Schumacher, Everett
Kristina is a freshman guard from Lake Stevens HS. Last week against Skagit Valley and Seattle, she led Everett in scoring with 24 and 27 points respectively. In their overtime victory against Skagit Valley, Schumacher scored five of Everett's 10 points in overtime and provided the assist on the winning three-pointer. She has a 3.88 GPA, is well liked by her teammates and is described by the staff at Everett as "well liked by all her teammates, always happy with a smile on her face, hard worker, very determined to do the best she can, verywillingto help the people around her."
She is currently third in scoring for the Northern region averaging 18.8 points per game.

Eastern Region
Chelsie Morrison, Yakima Valley
Chelsie is a sophomore guard from Central Catholic High School. Last week, she helped the Yaks rebound from their first league loss with victories over Treasure Valley and Blue Mountain. Morrison had games with 17 and 22 points respectively to lead the Yaks. Coach Cody Butler states "Chelsie epitomizes what a team player should be; she places individual stats secondary to team wins. Her role on the team could be just a scorer, but she is an unselfish leader that makes her teammates better every practice and game." In the Eastern Region, she eighth in scoring (13.2 ppg), ninth in total rebounds (6.0 rpg) and third in steals (3.0 spg).

Western Region
Vanessa McCormick, Lower Columbia
In a match-up of undefeated teams in the Western Region, Lower Columbia defeated Tacoma to take sole possession of the lead in the West thanks in large part to the play of McCormick. A sophomore guard from North Pole High School, McCormick had 23 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals against the Titans.

Southern Region
Shelby Stevens, Lane
Shelby is a sophomore guard from Willamette High School. Last week she led the Titans over the undefeated Clackamas with 32 points, eight rebounds and three steals. The win gave Lane sole possession of first place in the Southern Region. In the Southern Region, Stevens is third in scoring (19.3 ppg) and fourth in free throw percentage (86.2%).

Women's Players of the Week (Jan 10-16)
2007-01-17 14:34:39

North
Sara Bergner, Whatcom
A sophomore from Bellingham, Sara Bergner led the Orcas to three straight wins last week. She had impressive games against Skagit Valley, Seattle and Olympic. Against Seattle, Bergner had 14 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, one block and two steals to help lead the Orcas to a four point victory. In a key game against Skagit Valley, she had 18 points, 8 rebounds, five assists and two steals. In the Northern Region, Bergner is a leader in scoring average (4th), total rebounding average (6th) and assists (6th). With only eight players, Bergner’s contributions have kept her team within a half game of undefeated Bellevue.

Eastern Region
Michelle Short, Wenatchee Valley
A sophomore guard from Wenatchee, Michelle has been an integral part of the Knights success in the first part of the league season. Last week, she was instrumental in the Knights upset of fourth ranked Columbia Basin. In the final seconds of the game, Short hit several key free throws to seal the victory and scored 30 points in the game. Short is second in the Eastern Region in scoring average.

Western Region
Samantha Tinned, Highline
A sophomore for the Thunderbirds, Tinned had a great game against Centralia last week, recording 19 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists in HCC's victory. Tinned is second in the Western Region in scoring. She also leads Highline in total rebounds.

Southern Region
Alysse Carlson, Chemeketa
Alysse is a sophomore point guard from Ashland who helped lead the Storm to two victories last week over Umpqua and Portland. Carlson had 24 points, nine assists and six steals against Umpqua. Against Portland, she had 25 points, nine rebounds and four steals. In the Southern Region, Carlson is second in scoring average, fourth in assists per game, third in steals per game, and third in total blocks.

Games being postponed today
2007-01-17 09:49:02

Due to the snowstorm that impacted the Northwest Tuesday, some games will be postponed. We will update this entry as we receive information.

Today's Cancelled Games
Mt Hood at Linn-Benton (Rescheduled for Thursday, January 18)
Grays Harbor at Clark(Rescheduled for Thursday, January 18)
Lane at Portland (Rescheduled for Sunday, January 21)
Pierce at Lower Columbia (Rescheduled for Friday, January 19)
Umpqua at Clackamas (Rescheduled for Sunday, January 21)
Linn-Benton at Mt Hood

Top three in men's and women's poll unchanged
2007-01-16 11:53:33

The men's and women's polls were released and the top three remain unchanged from the first poll of the season.

Columbia Basin tops the men's poll after starting off league play undefeated and receiving six of eight votes for the number one spot. Bellevue remains number two while also receiving two first place votes. Big Bend remains number three. Previously unranked Clackamas jumps way up into the fourth spot followed by Walla Walla who moved up from eighth. After suffering a loss in league play, Southwestern Oregon drops from fifth to sixth. Previously unranked teams Peninsula and Pierce are seventh and eighth respectively.

Yakima Valley retains the number one spot in the women's poll despite suffering a three-point loss to Columbia Basin over the past weekend. Bellevue remains number two followed by Lane in third. Columbia Basin is fourth. Previously unranked Highline leaps into fifth and Everett is stable at sixth. Clackamas and Chemeketa are seventh and eighth respectively.

The next poll will be released January 29th.

Women’s Basketball Summary- January 10, 2007
2007-01-11 18:30:01

Eastern Region
at Wenatchee Valley 64, Columbia Basin 63
The number four ranked Hawks and Wenatchee Valley provided excitement to an game that was expected to be great. Columbia Basin took an early eight point lead over the Knights which eventually grew to 14 midway through the first half. After peaking at 14, the Knights responded and trimmed the lead to four at half time. Columbia Basin build their lead back to 11 out of the locker room, but again, Wenatchee Valley responded and fought back to take the lead with just under seven minutes to play, they would keep the lead for the remainder of the game. The Knights were led by Michelle Short who hit several key freethrows in the closing minute on her way to a 30 point game. Columbia Basin got 18 points from Lindsey Begaii and 16 from Alexandria Allen.

Wenatchee Valley improves to 3-0. Columbia Basin is 2-1.

at Yakima Valley 61, Walla Walla 56
The Yaks kept pace with Wenatchee Valley with their win over Walla Walla Wednesday night. Walla Walla had the lead in this game for the first ten minutes of the first half, going as high as nine points. With the score 5-14, Yakima Valley woke up and went on a 25-9 run to take seven point lead with three minutes left. From there, Yakima Valley controlled the game to the end. Yakima Valley received distributed scorers amongst their team that was led by Shante Nance-Johnson with 11. Walla Walla was led by Sadie Short with 28 points and 10 rebounds.

Yakima Valley improves to 3-0. Walla Walla is 2-1.

Skagit Valley 79, at Seattle 74
In a tale of two different games, Skagit Valley dominated Seattle in the first half taking a 23 point lead at the half. At one point, the Cardinals scored 21 unanswered points. In the second half, Seattle rallied when the SVC lead grew to 26 and went on a 30-9 run that left them five down with 1:08 to play, but they could only cut another point off the lead and the Cardinals held on for their second straight win in league.

Skagit Valley is 2-0. Seattle is 1-2.

at Bellevue 74, Edmonds 25
The Bulldogs held the Tritons to 10 points in the first half and 18.9% shooting for the game to take their third straight victory in league. Bellevue was led by Marissa Bower who scored 18 points. Jennifer Deyoung had 15 points.

Bellevue is 3-0. Edmonds is 0-2.

Whatcom 67, at Olympic 49
Whacom’s Sara Bergner scored 17 points to lead the Orcas over Olympic. Ally Lydick had 15 for the Rangers.

Whatcom improves to 2-1. Olympic falls to 0-3.

Linn-Benton 85, at Umpqua 78
The Roadrunners looked like they had control of this game after being up by as much as 16 points in the first half. However, in the second half, Umpqua erased that deficit and took a one point lead with 4:42 remaining. Linn-Benton recovered and Emily Irwin hit several key free throws down the stretch to put the game out of Umpqua’s reach. The Roadrunners were led by Jenny Fillion who had 18 points. Lucy Valenzuela had 16 points and 12 rebounds for UCC.

LBCC is 1-1. UCC is 0-2.

at Clackamas 82, Mt Hood 76 (OT)
The Cougars survived a thrilling overtime win at home against a feisty Saints team. The Cougars looked to have control for most of the second half after having a three point lead at half time. Mt Hood never let the lead go over eight points and in the final ten minutes, erased Clackamas’ advantage and took a three point lead into the last two minutes of the second half. Rachel Copeland hit the final shot to tie the game for CLCC and send it into overtime. Clackamas six straight points in overtime after going down one and held on for the win. Rachel Copeland had 23 points to lead five Clackamas players who were in double digits. Mt Hood was led by Sammie Nordstrom with 26 points and nine rebounds.

Clackamas improves to 2-0. Mt Hood is 1-1.

at Lane 127, SW Oregon 60
Southwestern Oregon was no match for number three ranked Lane. The Titans scored 68 points in the first half. The Titans had six players in double figures led by Natisia Reynolds who scored 25 points and 10 rebounds.

Lane is 2-0. SOCC is 0-2.

At Chemeketa 83, Portland 69
The Chemeketa Storm build a 30 point lead at halftime which was enough to hold off Portland in the second half. The Storm was led by Alysse Carlson with 25 points. Brittany Wilson contributed 15 points and 13 rebounds for Chemeketa. Inge Pe a had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Panthers.

Chemeketa is 1-1. Portland is 1-1.

Highline 94, at Grays Harbor 39
Samantha Tinned led the Thunderbirds to a 54 point win with her 23 points and seven steals. Highline was in control from the start and stifled Grays Harbor, forcing 43 turnovers. The Chokers were led by Alicia Snyder who had 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Highline is 2-1. Grays Harbor is 0-2.

Lower Columbia 63, at Green River 41
The Red Devils remained undefeated in league play after beating Green River. Lower Columbia got 36 points off turnovers. Jessi Hanna led the effort for LCC who had ten players score in the game. The Gators were led by Patricia Neyhart who had 14 points and 12 rebounds.

LCC is 3-0. GRCC is 0-2.

Clark 84, at Pierce 82 (OT)
Clark got their second straight win of the season in an overtime victory over Pierce. Pierce forced overtime after rallying from a 14 point deficit with only 3:14 remaining in the game. The comeback was led by Tiffany Sampson nine of Pierce’s final 14 points in the second half. In overtime, Clark took the lead for good win Kristina Wilson scored followed by a new addition to the Penguins Donjie Yin. Wilson led the Penguins with 30 points. Brook Lowery added 23 points and 15 rebounds for Clark. Adrenna Sherman led Pierce with 25 points and nine rebounds.

Clark is 2-1. Pierce is 0-3.

Tacoma at South Puget Sound postponed
2007-01-11 16:34:05
Tonights rescheduled game with Tacoma at South Puget Sound has been cancelled. Currently, the game has not been rescheduled.

Weather Cancellations
2007-01-10 11:48:31

Today's men's & women's games at Tacoma vs. South Puget Sound has been cancelled. Both games have been rescheduled for Thursday, January 11 at South Puget Sound CC. The women will play at 6:00 p.m. and the men will take the court at 8:00 p.m.

The Everett vs. Shoreline men's game was also cancelled and will be rescheduled.

League play continues...
2007-01-10 11:43:16

There are several key games tonight as each region plays this evening.

Women's Basketball
Game of the Day
In the Eastern Region, Walla Walla (2-0, 9-6) travels to number one ranked Yakima Valley (2-0,16-1) in a pivotal game. Both teams are part of the four-way tie for first in the region.

Other Key Games
When Columbia Basin (2-0,11-4) travels to Wenatchee Valley (2-0,7-10). These teams are both 2-0 and are part of the four way tie for first. In their only other meeting of the year, Columbia Basin beat Wenatchee Valley 77-73 at the Eastern Region Tip-Off November 19.

In the Southern Region, Mt Hood (1-0,9-6) makes the short drive to Clackamas (1-0,10-5) to break a tie between two of the four undefeated teams in the region.

Men's Basketball
Game of the Day
Clark (1-1) at Pierce (2-0). The Raiders are undefeated and Clark will try to get another win streak going after their 10 game streak was broken by Lower Columbia last Wednesday.
Other Key Games
In the Eastern Region, Yakima Valley (0-2,8-8) will try to get a league win as they host undefeated Walla Walla (2-0,12-3).

Shoreline (1-1,8-5) travels to Everett (0-1,5-6) as the Trojans will try to recover from a tough first loss to Peninsula.

Mt Hood (0-1,8-6) will travel to Clackamas (1-0,12-4)to try and get their first win.

Women's Players of the Week
2007-01-09 23:53:11
WOMEN'S PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

NORTH
Jennifer Deyoung, Bellevue
Jennifer Deyoung had a great week for the Bulldogs. In Bellevue’s double overtime victory against Olympic, Deyoung hit a three-point basket in the closing moments of the second half to send the game into overtime. In the first overtime, she had four of Bellevue’s seven points and in the second overtime she hit the field goal that put the Bulldog’s up for good. In two games last week, Deyoung had 28 points, 16 rebounds, six assists and five steals.

EAST
Sadie Short, Walla Walla
Sadie led the Eastern Region in scoring, rebounding and assists last week as she helped Walla Walla to a perfect start. Short is a sophomore guard/forward from Touchet HS in Touchet, WA. Last week against in her two games she scored 48 points, pulled down 24 rebounds and 10 assists.

WEST
Tricia Hamilton, Lower Columbia
A sophomore guard from Kelso HS, Tricia Hamilton has had a good week for the Red Devils. In addition to helping Lower Columbia to a perfect start she also was third in scoring and assists and led the Western Region in steals.

SOUTH
Erica Moore, Portland
Erica is a sophomore guard from Lake Oswego HS. In Portland’s game against Southwestern Oregon, she had 17 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists and nine steals to lead the Panthers to victory.

Basketball stats available
2007-01-09 11:04:22

Basketball stats for the first week of league play are available on the NWAACC web site. The stats are broken down by region and into individual and team stats.

Basketball Stats

2007-01-08 11:55:45

Women Results Summary- January 10

Northern Women

Bellevue 87 def Seattle 84 (2 OT)
The Bulldogs needed two overtimes to defeat the Seattle Storm. Seattle was in command for most of the game taking the lead five minutes into the first half and keeping it until seven minutes left in the second half. Bellevue kept Seattle close never letting the lead go over nine points. With 15 minutes remaining in the second half, Bellevue began to whittle away at the lead.

The Bulldogs tied the game at 55 with six and half minutes remaining and the two teams would trade the lead six times in the remaining minutes. With less than 30 seconds left, Seattle had a three point lead after Kelly McGuire made to free throws. However, Jennifer Deyoung hit a three pointer with nine seconds left to tie the game and Bellevue’s final shot attempt missed, sending the game into overtime.

In the first overtime, neither team took control. Deyoung hit a free throw with four seconds left to tie the game 75-75 and force a second overtime. In the final period, Luv Rattler scored eight points to take control and give Bellevue the victory.

Bellevue improves to 2-0 and Seattle drops to 1-1.

Skagit Valley 84 def Olympic 49
Skagit Valley was led by Shawmonee Holm (16 points, 17 rebounds, 7 steals) in the Cardinals’ first league game. Olympic received 16 points from Katie West in a losing effort. Skagit Valley moves into a three-way tie for second.

Peninsula 84 def Edmonds 45
Peninsula recovered from their 20 point loss to Everett to beat Edmonds and advance 1-1. The Pirates were led in their win by Denise Kerns (23 points, 8 assists) and Kathleen Wilson (22 points, 7 rebounds). Edmonds, playing with only six players managed to stay within nine points at halftime, but was overmatched in the second half. Edmonds drops to 0-1 in the Northern Region.

Eastern Region
Columbia Basin 77 def Treasure Valley 51
Columbia Basin’s Nikki DePeel had 24 points and four steals in 30 minutes to leader the Hawks to 2-0 record in the Eastern Region. As a team CBC shot 52.1% from the field. The Chukars were led by Krista Kulm with 17 points.

Yakima Valley 71 def Spokane 68
Spokane lost their second straight close game in league play. The Sasquatch were down by 10 at halftime but couldn’t defeat the number one ranked Yaks. Yakima Valley was led by Tana Stickney who had 21 points. For Spokane, Shantel Haugen had 27 points. The Yaks improve 2-0 and a tie with Columbia Basin and Walla Walla for first place in the East. Their next game Wednesday, January 10 will be at home versus Walla Walla. Spokane drops to 0-2.

Walla Walla 65 def Blue Mountain 46
The Warriors kept pace with Columbia Basin and Yakima Valley with their victory over Blue Mountain. Going into halftime, Walla Walla had a 19 point lead and never looked back. WWCC was led by sophomore Sadie Short who had 18 points, 13 rebounds and six assists in an outstanding game. Susana Bonifer had 16 points for the Timberwolves.

Wenatchee Valley 83, Big Bend 60
Wenatchee Valley took the momentum created from their win against Spokane Wednesday and defeated Big Bend in convincing fashion Saturday. The Knights’ Chelsi Shaw contributed 25 points to the effort. They key to Wenatchee Valley’s victory was a 49.1% shooting percentage and 50% from the three-point area. The Lady Vikings were led by Kim Bluff and Calli Jo Turner who both had 14 points.

Wenatchee Valley improves to 2-0. Big Bend drops to 0-2.

Western Region
Highline 90 def Pierce 37
The Thunderbirds made short work of Pierce to advance to 1-1. Highline had five players in double figures led by Samantha Tinned with 17. Kertsin Torrescano pulled down 11 rebounds for Highline who out rebounded Pierce 47-29. The Raiders’ effort was led by Mele Rich and Andrea Sherman who both had 12 points. Pierce drops to 0-2.

Lower Columbia 56 def S. Puget Sound 42
The Red Devils got 18 points and seven rebounds from Tricia Hamilton as they beat the Clippers to improve to 2-0. LCC scored 20 points off 29 Clipper turnovers. South Puget Sound’s Chantel Hernandez had 14 points and seven rebounds in a losing effort. The Red Devils are now in a two-way tie for first with Tacoma and the Clippers are in a four way tie for second at 1-1.

Tacoma 85 def Centralia 73
Tacoma shot 64.7% from the field during the first half to take a 13 point lead into half. That lead was enough to outpace Centralia who. Both teams shot over 51% from the game. Tacoma’s Dee Dee Jackson had 18 points and six assists to lead the Titans to 2-0. Amanda Atcheson ad 23 points to led Centralia whop dropped to 1-1 in the Western Region.

Clark 66 def Green River 64
The Penguins got their first victory of season against Green River Saturday. Clark overcame a nine point first half deficit to tie the game at halftime and then made several key free throws down the stretch to take the lead. In the closing seconds, a costly Gator turnover prevented Green River from having a shot to tie the game. Clark was led by Katrina Wilson who had 20 points and hit several key three pointers to get Clark close in the first half. Brook Lowery also had had a good game with 19 points. The Gators’ were led by Megan Borjesson with 15 points. Clark advances to 1-1. The Gators are now 0-1.

Southern Region
Mt. Hood 67 def Umpqua 63
The Saints’ Sammie Nordstrom scored 30 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in their victory over Umpqua. For the Riverhawks, Lucy Valenzuela had 22 points and 10 rebounds. The Saints outscored Umpqua 22-15 on points off turnovers which proved to be the difference in a very closely matched game. Mt Hood improves to 1-0 and Umpqua is 0-1 in league play.

Lane 80 def Chemeketa 50
Lane made short work of Chemeketa in both teams first league contest. The Titans’ Mercedes Alexander had 16 points and 20 rebounds in the game to lead number three ranked Lane. Chemeketa’s Alysse Carlson had 14 points for the Storm. Lane improved to 1-0 and Chemeketa drops to 0-1.

Portland 86 def SW Oregon 44
The Panthers smothered Southwestern Oregon forcing 21 turnovers and out rebounded SOCC 56-34. Portland’s win was a total team effort with four players registering double-doubles. Inge Pe a and Jesse Mensell both had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Erica Moore had 17 points and 11 assists to go with her nine steals. Krystal Saling led all scores with 18 points. Portland improves to 1-0. Southwestern Oregon drops to 0-1.

Clackamas 60 def Linn-Benton 54
Kelsey New had 20 points for the Cougars as they defeated Linn-Benton. Leading the Roadrunners was Chelsea Hartman who had 19 points. Clackamas was in control for most of the game and had a ten point lead with less the 14 minutes remaining. The Roadrunners surged to tie the game at 3:06 but the Cougars responded with a 6-1 run in the remaining minutes.

Clackamas is 1-0 and Linn-Benton is 0-1.

Columbia Basin and Yakima Valley Top Men's and Women's Basketball Polls
2007-01-06 13:33:54

The Columbia Basin men, who compiled a dominating 13-1 non-league record in November and December sit atop of the initial 2007 NWAACC Horizon Air Men's Basketball Poll. Columbia Basin hasn't lost since dropping it's opener on November 17th to Walla Walla. Bellevue comes in at number two with an 11-2 record including a loss to to top-ranked Columbia Basin. Big Bend rings in at number three with an 11-3 record. Two of Big Bend's losses occurred to teams outside the NWAACC and one to 2nd ranked Bellevue.

Rounding out the top eight are last year's NWAACC Champion Highline, Southwestern Oregon, Lower Columbia, Clark and Walla Walla.

The Yakima Valley Yaks (15-1) top the women's poll. The Yaks have been unstoppable in non-league play with wins over four of the top eight teams in this poll. Yakima's only loss came at the hands of a non-NWAACC opponent. Bellevue has thus far been impressive at 11-1 with their only blemish coming against top-ranked Yakima Valley. Lane, last year's ladies champion, is number three with an 12-3 record. Two of the Titans three losses were against the top two teams in this poll.

Rounding out the top eight are Columbia Basin, Centralia, Everett, Chemeketa and Spokane.

Polls: Men's | Women's

Results from January 3rd
2007-01-04 11:29:49

Northern Region
In the first night of league play, Bellevue defeated Whatcom 77-54. The Bulldogs were led by Tanna Radtke who had 18 points and four assists. Every other player on the Bellevue squad scored in the game and all but one had rebounds and at least one assist. Whatcom got a double-double from Sara Bergner who scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Teammates Trisha McKeon and Jackie Nethery had 14 and 11 points respectively. The Bulldogs improve to 1-0 and Whatcom falls to 0-1 in league play.

Everett (1-0) dominated Peninsula (0-1) 70-50. For the Trojans, Rachael Boehme (14pts), Britni Rathke (18pts, 9r), and Kristina Schumacher (14pts) led the team to 46.9% shooting fro the field. Peninsula’s effort was led by Bethany Holt with 10 points and 6 rebounds.

Seattle traveled to Bremerton and defeated Olympic 68-50. The Storm’s Chiaki Nakamura scored 17 points to lead her team. Precious Alex added 14 points and Elena Flory-Barnes had 15 rebounds. The Rangers had 13 points from Laraa Brown.

Edmonds improves to 1-0 after receiving a forfeit win from a struggling Shoreline team.

Eastern Region
Columbia Basin, Walla Walla, Wenatchee Valley and Yakima Valley all succeeded in their first league contest to create a four way tie for first all at 1-0.

Wenatchee Valley defeated Spokane 50-49 at home and proves that preseason records sometimes do not mean much. The Knights were 6-10 after December while Spokane as 10-4. Michelle Short scored 26 of Wenatchee’s 50 points. Spokane’s offense was led by Shantel Haugen who scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds. The Sasquatch also got a game leading nine rebounds from Ren Mallory.

Columbia Basin went up early on Blue Mountain and never looked back after taking a 16 point lead into half time. Erica Mendez and Brittany Chandler led the Hawks with 16 and 15 points respectively. Columbia Basin had 17 steals and six blocks in the game making it difficult for Blue Mountain to score.

Walla Walla survived a feisty Treasure Valley team 72-67. The Warriors scored 27 of their 72 points from the freethrow line, shooting 79.4% from the line. Sadie Short was 13 of 14 from the line on her way to 30 points, 11 rebounds and four assists for the game. Treasure Valley received 22 points from Krista Kulm.

Yakima Valley defeated Big Bend 76-64. The Yaks had four players in double points led by Andrea Blodget with 21. Chelsie Morrison had 11 points, 11 rebounds and six steals. Big Bend’s Kim Bluff had 12 points and 11 rebounds in addition to Cisca Moore’s 14 points, four assists and four steals.

Western Region
The best game on the first night of league play was Tacoma’s win over Highline 62-57. Other games in the were not very close. The average margin of victory in the other three Western Region games was 51 points. Lower Columbia, Centralia and South Puget Sound all dominated their opponents.

Lower Columbia held Clark to three points in the first half of their game. The Red Devils forced 40 turnovers and the Pengiuns only shot 7.5% from the field. Lower Columbia shot 52.7% from the field with four players in double figures.

Centralia broke into triple digits with a 100-40 victory over Grays Harbor. The Trailblazers were led by Ali Matisons with 25 points. The Chokers were led by Alicia Snyder who had 25 points and nine rebounds.

South Puget Sound defeated Pierce 70-49. The Raiders had only five players for the game. The Clippers’ Amanda Homann had 16 points and 18 rebounds to led her team. Four of the five Pierce players scored double figures.

League play begins tonight
2007-01-03 17:33:07

With the preseason nearly complete, NWAACC teams head into league play tonight. Starting the action tonight will be the Northern, Eastern and Western Regions. Below is a brief summary of the regions and the teams that how the teams did in November and December. The Southern Region starts league play Saturday, January 6th.

Holiday Tournament Results & All-Tournament Teams
2006-12-31 00:22:22

Chemeketa Holiday Tournament (Women's)
Champion: Yakima Valley
2nd Place: Highline
3rd Place: Chemeketa
Consolation Winner: Linn-Benton
All-Tournament Team
MVP Andrea Blodgett Yakima
Tana Stickney, Yakima
Samantha Tinned, Highline
Kim Dodson, Highline
Alysse Carlson, Chemeketa
Chelsea Hartman, Linn-Benton

Clackamas Holiday Tournament (Men's)
Champion: Clackamas
2nd Place: Lower Columbia
3rd Place: Linn-Benton
Consolation Winner: Umpqua
All-Tournament Team
MVP: Brian Freeman, Clackamas
David Cernin, Clackamas
Josh Troyer, Lower Columbia
Steffond Brown, Lower Columbia
Ryon Pool, Linn Benton
Kenan Dizdarevic, Umpqua

Edmonds Holiday Tournament (Women's)
Champion: Everett
2nd Place: Centralia
3rd Place: Big Bend
Consolation Winner: Umpqua
All-Tournament Team
MVP: Kristen Moore, Everett
Kristina Schmacher, Everett
Marissa Toury, Umpqua
Amanda Johnston, Umpqua
Keisha Beard, Edmonds
Stephanie Heard, Edmonds
Ashlee Fitch, Centralia

Talbitzer Homes Tournament (Clark College)
Champion: Clark
2nd Place: Chemeketa
3rd Place: Clark Alumni
Consolation Winner: Grays Harbor
All-Tournament Team
Samuel Glover, Clark
Ike Mitchell, Clark
Drew Bergerson, Clark
Garold Howe, Chemeketa
Mitch Rice, Chemeketa
Beno Memory, Clark Alumni
Troy Morningstar, Clark Alumni
Tyler Godfrey, TVCC
Brandon Hoggans, PCC

Holiday Tourmanents Kick-Off
2006-12-27 11:56:33

It's another big week for NWAACC basketball with several tournaments taking place around the Northwest. Kicking off tournaments on Wednesday are Chemeketa and Edmonds featuring 16 ladies' teams and Clark's Talbitzer Homes Tournament with eight men's teams. On Thursday, Clackamas will host an eight-team men's tournament in Oregon City, Spokane will host a mini-tourney featuring four men's teams and Wenatchee is hosting a mini-tourney with four women's teams. [men's schedule] [women's schedule]

Women's Crossover Champions & All-Tournament Teams
2006-12-19 14:35:12

LOWER COLUMBIA CROSSOVER
Champions - Columbia Basin
All-Tournament Team
MVP - Alexandria Allen - Columbia Basin
Brittany Chandler - Columbia Basin
Nadra Evans - Lower Columbia
Tricia Hamilton - Lower Columbia
Erica Moore - Portland
Kayla Bennett - Seattle

BELLEVUE CROSSOVER
Champions - Bellevue
All-Tournament Team

MVP - Jenny DeYoung, Bellevue
Luv Rattler, Bellevue
Samantha Tinned, Highline
Sadie Short, Walla Walla
Kammy Martindale, Lane
Shelby Stephens, Lane

SPOKANE CROSSOVER
Champions - Spokane
All-Tournament Team
MVP - Emily Wittkopf, Spokane
Sara Bergner, Whatcom
Amanda Homann, South Puget Sound
Katy Lambert, Chemeketa
Kellyn Cooper, Clackamas
Ren Mallory, Spokane

LINN-BENTON CROSSOVER
Champions - Yakima Valley
All-Tournament Team
MVP - Lisa Bishop, Yakima Valley
Tana Stickney, Yakima Valley
Chelsie Morrison, Yakima Valley
Chelsea Hartman, Linn-Benton
Whitney Bryant, Linn-Bemton
Kristina Schumacher, Everett

Basketball Crossover Weekend
2006-12-14 12:25:55

It's a big weekend for baskteball in the NWAACC. Eight tournaments featuring 64 men's and women's teams will begin three day tourmamants with several starting play today.

In Women's action, Spokane and Linn-Benton host crossover tourneys begining today and tomorrow, Bellevue and Lower Columbia will kick off two more ladies' tourneys. The first of four men's tournamnents will open at Whatcom today. The Columbia Basin, Green River and Clackamas tournaments will kick-off Friday afternoon.

Men's Crossover Tournament Brackets	Women's Crossover Tournament Brackets
Whatcom • Columbia Basin • Green River • Clackamas	Spokane • Linn-Benton • Bellevue • Lower Columbia

Clackamas Thanksgiving Tournament
2006-11-27 12:24:55

Top Four Teams	Tournament All-Stars
1st place – Clackamas 2nd place – Umpqua 3rd place – Wenatchee Valley 4th place – Blue Mountain	Charday Hunt, Clackamas (MVP) Kellyn Cooper, Clackamas Amanda Johnston, Umpqua Celeste Campbell, Blue Mountain Britney Knotts, Mt. Hood Michelle Short, Wenatchee Valley

Basketball results
2006-11-18 11:43:36

All results from the first few days of men's and women's basketball games will be updated Sunday evening after the NWAACC Soccer Championships are concluded at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, WA. Thank you in advance for your patience.

Accessing Old NWAACC Site
2006-10-03 12:37:36

The NWAACC has launched its new look web site for the 2006-07 season. While we continue working on adding information for the winter and spring sports programs, you can access the old web site by visiting: nwaacc.org/oldsite

NWAACC Basketball Golf Tournament a success
2006-09-17 17:05:39

TRI-CITIES, WA- The 1st ever NWAACC Basketball Golf Tournament was held this past week at Canyon Lakes golf course in Kennewick, WA. Profits generated from the tournament will be used to support the 2007 NWAACC Basketball Championships being held March 1-4 at the Toyota Center in Kennewick.

The tournament drew approximately 100 golfers including both of last year's championship coaches, Greg Sheley from Lane CC and Che Dawson from Highline CC. Many other the other NWAACC school were represented. Also many local representatives include local coaches and businesses played to show their support of the tournament. Dawson and Sheley both received premium gifts (Hedges Winery) and recognition for their 2006 championships as well as their long commute to the golf tournament. A steak and salmon dinner was provided to all participants after the tournament and several tee prizes from many of the participating colleges and businesses were passed out. In the championship division the Frank Armijo team(Armijo's Army) and Richard Cartmell team(Cartmell's Cartel) tied and a overtime was needed to decide the winner. Armijo and Mike (Miggy) Guajardo both standout performers at Pasco High and CBC, locked horns in an intense putt off with Armijo capturing the trophy.