Pasco, WA - The old adage says its hard to beat a team three times in the same season, and it only proved to be partly true for the Everett Trojans as they defeated Spokane in the opening round of the NWAC playoffs but fell to north region foe Bellevue in the championship game. It was a historic run for EvCC making it to the NWAC championship game for just the second time in program history and the first time since 1995, but like most years it had its highs and lows.
After starting the 2022-2023 campaign ranked 10th in the preseason coaches poll, EvCC climbed to as high as third in late January, but then hit a slump losing 5 of 6 and dropping back down to 9th. With the season on the brink and the threat of not even qualifying for the NWAC playoffs, the Trojans then went on to win four straight to close out the regular season and finish as the #2 ranked team out of a tough North Region that had four teams ranked in the final top 10 poll.
Four Trojans earned All North Region Honors. Colton Spencer, a sophomore transfer from Lewis & Clark State College earned all-defensive team along with redshirt freshman and Glacier Peak grad, Tucker Molina. Jadin Penigar out of Logan Utah earned second team All North Region, and sophomore Leon Sayers from Spokane earned First Team All North Region Honors.
After beating the first three opponents of the tournament (including West #1 Lower Columbia and South #1 Clackamas) by an average of 20 points the Trojans found themselves in unfamiliar territory trailing by as much as 15 in the first half. Uncharacteristically, the Trojans shot a low 22% from the field in the first half, and were lucky to only trail by 12 at the half.
EvCC put together a few runs in the 2nd half twice trimming the deficit to eight, but each time Bellevue answered and held on to win 85-71. Sophomore Leon Sayers finished with a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds and Tyriq Luke led the team with 19 points.
Leon finished his career as a Trojan averaging 12.6 points and 6 rebounds per game. His 53.8% field goal percentage this season ranks 10th on the EvCC single season record list and he also found his way onto a couple of career lists. His career free throw percentage of 76.9% ranks 5th at EvCC,291 total career rebounds ranks 9th, and 37 career blocks ranks 8th. Another sophomore, JT Smith found his way into EvCC record books shooting a career high 42.7% from beyond the arc, ranking him first all time at EvCC. His 3FG% this season of 45.8% ranks 2nd all time at EvCC.
A pair of EvCC freshman (both redshirts) also had stat worthy seasons. Jadin Penigar played in all 33 games this season which is the most played in any single season by any Trojan. Since 2008, 190 field goals made ranks 7th at EvCC, and his 3FG% of 39.7% ranks also ranks 7th. He was solid from the line, shooting 83.7% which ranks 5th, and his 527 points places him on a short list of 16 former Trojans to ever have 500+ points in a season. Tucker Molina filled up the stat sheet with rebounds, assists, and blocked shots, averaging 7.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.0 blocks. He also contributed 8.9 points per game.
Offensively it was one of the more impressive teams to watch in recent history. 2,821 total points is the most total points scored in the last 15 years and their 37.6% three point field goal percentage is second only to the 2018-2019 team that shot and amazing 40.1%.
For head coach Mike Trautman, 25 wins on the season brings his career total up to 142 and his win percentage to .732. This was the furthest he has advanced in the NWAC tournament as the head coach at EvCC in his 7 seasons.