First Half: Everett Struggles to Find Their Footing
Everett got off to a slow start, struggling to connect on shots while Edmonds capitalized on early opportunities to take a 42-26 lead into halftime. The shots weren't falling for Everett, as they managed just 34.5% from the field, while Edmonds' Naser Motley (13 first-half points) and Jamari Jackson (9 points off the bench) helped build the advantage.
Despite the tough start, Everett showed flashes of resilience. Henry Avra provided a much-needed spark with 8 points, knocking down a pair of three-pointers, while Myles Shields was a perfect 3-for-3 from the field, keeping the team within striking distance.
Second Half: Everett Roars Back
The second half was a completely different story. Everett exploded offensively, putting together a dominant 51-point performance behind incredible 66.7% shooting from the field.
Leading the charge was Myles Shields, who was nearly unstoppable, pouring in 16 points on 8-for-9 shooting while grabbing 5 rebounds. Nate Harding caught fire from beyond the arc, draining three triples and finishing with 13 points. Meanwhile, Shon Reid orchestrated the offense beautifully, dishing out 10 assists while adding 8 points and 2 steals to fuel the comeback.
Defensively, Everett turned up the pressure, forcing turnovers and pushing the pace. The team's energy and execution put Edmonds on their heels, cutting the lead down and making it a tightly contested battle.
However, Edmonds managed to hold on, largely thanks to clutch free-throw shooting (81.3%) and timely baskets down the stretch. Motley added 8 more points, and Orion Dybdahl contributed 6 points on perfect free-throw shooting, allowing Edmonds to escape with the 84-77 win.
Key Player Performances for Everett:
- Myles Shields: 16 points (8-9 FG), 5 rebounds – near-perfect shooting performance.
- Shon Reid: 8 points, 10 assists, 2 steals – excellent floor general.
- Nate Harding: 13 points (5-7 FG, 3-4 3PT) – lights-out shooting from deep.
- Henry Avra: 9 points (3-5 3PT), 4 rebounds – key three-point shooting.
- Team Shooting: 66.7% in the second half – huge turnaround offensively.