Spokane, WA – The Trojans were back in action, again on the road for their second tournament of the 2023-2024 season. Everett suffered two losses the previous weekend at the Red Devil Classic in Longview, Washington. Mt. Hood redeemed the earlier season loss to the Trojans and Centralia escaped with a 100-96 overtime win.
The trek 380 miles east to Spokane ironically would feature three opponents from the NWAC southern region. Everett first matched up with Portland CC on Friday night in which the Trojans shot 56% from the field and put up 93 points to edge the Panthers by four. Ten three-point field goals were made on the night including two from Derek Smith, three from Jailin Johnson, and four from Ethan Martin. Smith led the team with 20 points, Johnson had 19, and Martin added 12. Hayden Conaxis still recovering from an early season injury played solid minutes scoring 16 and grabbed 8 rebounds.
On Saturday afternoon, the Trojans matched up with Lane CC out of Eugene, OR. The Titans lost the night before to host Spokane, and came out firing making 7 first half three pointers. Everett meanwhile attacked the rim efficiently and made four of their six three-point attempts. At the end of the first half the score was tied 45-45.
The two teams remained equally matched in the second half, and with 35 seconds to play the Trojans took the lead at 93-92 on a pair of Derek Smith free throws. EvCC got the stops they needed down the stretch and made their free throws to ice the game 96-92.
In total, EvCC got to the line 28 times and converted on 82% of their free throws. Six Trojans scored in double figures and a seventh scored 9. Derek Smith once again led the team with 21 points and went 6-6 from the free throw line. Raefe McEnroe had his best game of the young season scoring 18 points and grabbing 9 rebounds with a pair of blocked shots.
On the final day, the only two unbeaten teams at the tournament faced off against one another. Chemeketa CC of Salem, OR had wins over Yakima Valley and host Spokane. The Storm had the hot hand early and took a 12-point lead just four minutes into the game. But the Trojans kept composure and used a series of runs to chip away at the lead, eventually tying the game, and taking a three-point lead at the half on an Ethan Martin buzzer beater.
Jailin Johnson immediately put the trojans up 6 with a three to open up the half, but the score remained close through the next eleven minutes, and at 9:17 to play the score was tied at 63. Everett turned on the jets and clamped down defensively to outscore Chemeketa 19-8 over the next seven minutes and took their largest lead of the game at 11, eventually winning 86-77 and was the only team to go undefeated at the Spokane Tournament. Ethan Martin had a career day with 25 points and shot 5 of 7 from downtown. Derek Smith scored 24 for his 7th straight game of scoring 20 or more points.
For the weekend, four Trojans averaged double figures, Jailin Johnnson (12.7), Hayden Conaxis (13.3), Ethan Martin (16.0) and Derek Smith (20.7). Hayden Conaxis also averaged 7 rebounds and 3 blocks, while Smith and Johnson each averaged 3 assists. Raefe McEnroe nearly averaged double figures at 9.7 points per game and hauled in 6.7 rebounds.
The Trojans will return home next Saturday for a non-conference match up against Tacoma. Tip off is set for 4pm on December 9th.