Everett, WA – The Trojans were back in action Wednesday night riding a 5-game winning streak to close out non-conference play. In the first north region game of the season, the Trojans faced #7 ranked Skagit Valley College. Over the past three seasons, the Trojans and Cardinals have had some NWAC classic games, often coming down to the final shot. Everett has won seven of the last ten matchups, but each season brings a new roster of players and no sure guarantees of a win.
Both teams entered the contest with impressive records, the Cardinals 12-3 and the Trojans 13-2, most recently ranked #3 in the NWAC coach's poll. Everett got the hot hand to start the game, building out to a seven-point lead by JT Smith's 6 points. The Cardinals turned the tide by going on a 21-12 run and held on to a three-point lead with five minutes to play.
In the final minutes before the halftime break, Everett found a surge after a Tucker Molina dunk, and then another drive and score from Tyriq Luke forcing Skagit to take a timeout. In the final sequence of the half, the Trojans got a bucket from Colton Smith, drew an offensive foul on the opposite end, and then Tyriq drew a foul with 0.2 seconds left. Luke hit both free throws to give the Trojans a 38-34 lead at the break. Leon Sayers led all scorers with 9 points and eight different Trojans got in the scorebook.
End to end action ensued in the second half, with Everett building to an eight-point lead at 49-41 with twelve minutes to play. Skagit used the three ball to keep the game tight before a 7-0 run eventually gave Skagit a one-point lead with just over five minutes to play. The Trojans continued to stay aggressive on the offensive end, taking it to the rim and drawing fouls. Ten straight points were scored from the free throw line, tying the game at 70 with just under three minutes to play before another Skagit three gave the Cardinals the lead back. After a defensive stop, Tucker Molina hit Jordan Medcalf on an outlet pass and proceeded to score and draw the foul. He hit the free throw to tie the game back up at 73. The Trojans forced another errant shot and with 31 seconds to go, and Head Coach Mike Trautman called a timeout to draw up an offensive play.
Out of the timeout, Tyriq Luke made another drive to the bucket but missed, and the rebound was cleaned up by Tucker Molina who put it back and in with 18 seconds remaining. After another defensive stop on a missed three, the Trojans shot free throws to seal the win 77-73. Leon Sayers led the team with 19 points, while three other Trojans scored in double figures with ten, JT Smith, Tucker Molina, and Jordan Medcalf. As a team the Trojans outrebounded Skagit Valley 52-42 and held them to just 28 of 78 from the floor.
Everett's next contest will be on the road at Whatcom CC this Saturday. Tip off is set for 6pm.