Longview, WA - The annual tradition of attending the Red Devil Classic on the campus of Lower Columbia College continued in 2022. Last season the Trojans lost on the opening day to Southwestern Oregon CC, but this year, Everett came ready to play on day one (one day after Thanksgiving) and handed first round opponents Centralia College an 80-60 loss. Jadin Peniger finished with 21 points, on 4 of 9 shooting from beyond the arc. Three other Trojans scored in double figures, Tucker Molina with 12 points and 12 rebounds, JT Smith with 16 points on 5 of 7 from downtown, and Tyriq Luke scored 12 off the bench.
Day two gave the Trojans a familar opponent in Spokane, who defeated Southwestern Oregon CC the night before. Last season Everett defeated Spokane twice, once in the tournament at LCC and later on at home, both decisive wins by an average of 15 points. EvCC had the Sasquatch's number again on Saturday night winning 83-66 and sending the Trojans to the Championship game on Sunday. It was another solid night for Peniger who scored 23 on 10 of 18 shooting from the field, and Tyriq Luke again came off the bench providing offensive fire power, this time scoring 18. As a team, the Trojans shot 54% and held Spokane to just 31%.
In the final game, the Trojans held the lead for much of the way. After a JT Smith three put the Trojans up 9-8, EvCC kept the lead for the remainder of the half, going into the break up 34-31. Everett kept control through the second half, eventually leading by as much as six with just under nine minutes to play. But in those final 8 minutes of action, the Trojans perhaps a bit tired, began to miss the jumpers that had been falling all tournament, allowing LCC to get back into the game and eventually reclaim the lead for the first time since early in the first half. At 61-60, LCC pushed their lead out on an 11-2 run to close out the game and clinch a home tournament victory. Colton Spencer showed up big in the final game of the weekend with 17 points, and Jadin Peniger again scored in double figures with 14.
After the weekend, the Trojans' record moves to 5-1, and will have the week to prepare for another 3-day tournament, this time hosted by Pierce College. Everett will opening up the tournament on Friday December 2nd with hosts Pierce College (winners of three straight), followed by Clackamas on Saturday and capped with Treasure Valley on Sunday. It will be another solid test for the Trojans who are currently among the best in the conference at attacking the rim, converting on a league high 89 free throws.