Everett, WA – Searching for their first north region win, the Trojans entered Wednesday's contest against rival Edmonds with a sense of purpose and jumped out to a 24-7 lead by the first media break. Eight different Trojans scored in that span, led by JT Smith coming off the bench and hitting two, three pointers.
Everett continued to play solid defense stretching the lead out to as many as 22, until Edmonds utilized an 8-0 run to get back within 14 with four minutes to play in the half. After an EvCC timeout the Trojans regained composure and responded with an 11-3 run to close out the half. It was a balanced scoring attack for Everett with six players scoring six or more points, led by Cam Millican with nine and it was a 47-25 lead.
Edmonds came out in the second half with energy and scored the first two buckets. Everett responded, but the pace increased considerably from the first half, which was to the benefit of the Tritons. With under ten minutes to play the Trojan lead was trimmed to 16, and starting point guard Brycen Dillworth had to go to the bench with four fouls. But each time the Tritons hit a shot, Everett responded and by the final media timeout with just under five minutes remaining, EvCC held on to a 15 point lead. Out of the timeout Leon Sayers hit a three pushing the lead to 18 and that would prove to be too much to overcome. By the final buzzer the Trojans prevailed, 96-85.
Nine different Trojans got into the scorebook with points, led by Leon Sayers who finished with 19 to go along with 9 rebounds. JT Smith had a career high 17 points off the bench, going 5-9 from beyond the arc, and Brendon Redford turned in yet another double-double performance scoring 15 and hauling down 11 rebounds with 6 assists.
Everett has now won 11 of 13 meetings against Edmonds under head coach Mike Trautman, with the last loss coming the season prior in the abbreviated COVID-19 season. The win also comes with a coveted 1/2 point towards the T-Trophy, the annual rivalry series between the two schools.
Everett will enjoy the weekend off, and prepare for next Wednesday's home match up with a tough Olympic College team. Tip off is set for 7pm.