Everett, WA – After a one-year hiatus, the Everett CC Women's Basketball Classic was back for the 25th year. The annual December tournament features teams from across the Northwest Athletic Conference. This year's participants included Clackamas CC, Community Colleges of Spokane, Big Bend CC, Skagit Valley College, Northwest Indian College, and the host Trojans.
Everett matched up on the first night against undefeated Clackamas out of Oregon City, OR. The Cougars flexed their muscles early and jumped out to a 23-6 first quarter lead shooting 8-19 from the floor and forcing 12 turnovers. Things did not improve for EvCC in the second quarter as Clackamas poured on 22 more to Everett's 6, converting on just one made field goal. The Trojans' best offensive quarter did not come until the 4th, when shots started to fall but it was too little too late and Clackamas cruised to a 79-47 victory. Mikail Montez led EvCC with 10 points and six rebounds.
Everett looked to bounce back on Saturday night against a Spokane team that played in a tight contest the night before with Skagit Valley, falling 62-59. It was another tough first half for Everett, giving up 14 turnovers and shooting just 7 of 30 from the floor. Spokane generated 15 points off of turnovers and made six three's to take a 39-17 lead at the break.
Despite trailing by 22, the Trojans did not quit and chipped into the lead by putting up 22 points in the 3rd quarter, statistically the best offensive quarter for the Trojans through the first four games of the season. Everett continued to outscore Spokane in the second half, but the deficit was too much to overcome and the Trojans ultimately fell 73-60. Mikail Montez finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. 20 points tied her career high, which she accomplished twice last season. Sydney VanNess finished the game with 22 points and also collected 6 rebounds. Collectively as a team, the Trojans shot 30% from the floor, converting 5 of 15 from beyond the arc and 15 of 25 from the free throw line.
On the final day of the tournament, the Trojans matched up against Big Bend CC out of Moses Lake, WA. The Vikings defeated Northwest Indian College on the first day 64-56 and survived a thrilling double overtime game against Skagit Valley 69-65.
With both teams on tired legs, it was a slow start to the game, both teams shooting below 35% from the floor. Big Bend relied heavily on the outside game, hitting three 3-pointers in the first quarter and putting up 13 points. Everett scored 11, mainly on mid-range jumpers and trailed by two going into the second quarter. Kaitlyn Callahan started to heat up for big Bend and knocked down three more threes through the first five minutes of the second quarter. By halftime, BBCC connected on 6 of 14 from down town, while Everett shot just 1 of 10 and the Vikings led 33-22.
Looking for more second half resurgence magic, EvCC came out with a more focused defensive effort and started seeing some shots fall. With just under four minutes to play, Everett cut the deficit to three. The Vikings responded with a run of their own, and heading into the fourth it was still an 11-point lead.
Again, Everett would not quit and started the fourth with a 13-6 run, and by the final media timeout of the game it was just a four-point deficit. In a very scary moment Sydney Benedict went down with an injury with 4:47 remaining in the game. A long delay would ensue to care for Benedict out on the floor, and the two teams went back into their locker rooms. After a brief warm up the game would continue, but the Vikings pulled momentum away on a 12-7 run, sealing the game by a final score of 72-63.
Mikail Montez would again lead the Trojans in scoring with 25 on the night and also pulling down 7 rebounds. Freshman, Maddy Thoma had a new career high with 17 points and 5 rebounds.
The most important news of the tournament was that Sydney Benedict's injury was less severe than originally feared, diagnosed as a spinal bruise, and was able to begin recovery outside of the hospital.
The Trojans will have some time off before heading out on the road for the Mt. Hood CC Crossover Tournament. Starting December 17th, EvCC will take on the host Saints with a 5pm tip off. Two other games are scheduled with Centralia (2-3) on Saturday, December 18th and concluding the trip with Treasure Valley (3-5) out of Ontario, OR on Sunday, December 19th.