In their second pre season tournament of this young 2018-2019 season, the Trojans got to face national caliber teams at the Treasure Valley Invitational Tournament in Ontario, OR this past weekend. Two Division I (full scholarship) NJCAA teams faced were Utah State Eastern and Snow College, both out of Utah.
On Friday the Trojans matched up against Utah State Eastern and started out slow right out of the gate falling behind early by as much as 20 to the much larger USE team that started 6'11", 6'8", 6'6", 6'5", 6'1" compared to the Trojans biggest player at 6'6". Still Everett CC battled and brought the score back to within 12 at the halftime break. Size continued to be a distinct factor as the Trojans were outrebounded 56-43 by games end. Still the Trojans climbed back to as close as 8 before Eastern pulled away to win 90-70. Jon Parker (a Utah native) lead the Trojans with 18 points, and Markeith Brown Jr. added 17 of his own. Full Box Score
The test for the Trojans did not get any easier the following night, pitting them against undefeated (8-0) Snow College of Ephraim, Utah. Still undersized, Everett fell behind by as much as 16-40 with ten mintues to go in the first half before clawing back to within 15 by halftime. In the second half, the Trojan defense improved giving up 42 points as opposed to the 60 given up in the first half. Everett actually outscored Snow in the 2nd half putting up 46 led by Brett Johnson and Markeith Brown Jr. who scored 12 and 11 respectivly. Despite eventually falling 91-102, some positive notes for the Trojans in this one was the never quit mentality, and breakout game for freshman Bobby Martin who spend the first 2 months of the season injured with a broken hand to score 19 against some of the best competition on the west coast. Full Box Score
In the final game of the tournament, Everett went up against a familiar face in Yakima Valley College, a team they have seen three times now this season, once in an early season scrimmage, the other in the first round of the Red Devil Classic last weekend where the Trojans came out on top 92-81. EvCC held nothing back as three players scored in double figures in the first half, Jon Parker (14), Magnus Jespersen (13) and Markeith Brown Jr. (15) as the Trojans took a 61-39 halftime lead on 69% shooting from the floor at 12 assists. Everett never let off the throttle in the second half putting up 62 points to go on to win 123-89, breaking the century mark for the first time this season. Magnus Jespersen went a perfect 9-9 from the floor and 3-5 from the stripe to finish with 22, and Markeith Brown Jr. went 8-10 and finished with 20, the fifth time this season he has scored 20 or more. Full Box Score
Everett will enjoy a few days off before their next scheduled contest on Wednesday, December 5th at Highline College. Their next home game will be Monday, December 10th against Clackamas Community College. That game is scheduled for a 5:00pm tip off.