Everett, WA - For the first time in two years, the NWAC Championships were back in Everett. The Trojans are no strangers to post season play, having qualified for the championship tournament on their home floor in four of five seasons at the Walt Price Center in Everett. This would be the first for new head Coach Jeannie Thompson, and really every player in the entire tournament with COVID-19 halting post season play in 2020 and 2021. Finishing third in the north region, EvCC entered the tournament as a #3 seed and drew the #2 seed out of the east, Spokane, a team they faced back in December falling 73-60.
Everett played as sound of a first quarter as you could have hoped for, shooting 54% from the field and holding Spokane to just 7 first quarter points. Sydney VanNess led the way scoring half of the teams points (7) en-route to a 14-7 quarter. Still, Everett had 8 turnovers in that first quarter, and by halftime the total would be doubled. Spokane dialed up the pressure defense which allowed the Sasquatch to climb back into the game and eventually take the lead early on in the third quarter. The Trojans took care of the basketball better, but Spokane got hot from beyond the arc making 4-8 threes and shooting a total of 54% from the floor. By the start of the 4th quarter, Spokane had built their lead out to seven, and pushed it out to 14 within the first three minutes of the final quarter. EvCC would make small pushes to get back into the game, but Spokane was able to answer each time and held on to advance in the tournament 67-51.
Sydney VanNess led the Trojans with 18 points and 6 rebounds. Courtney Perry added a near double-double with 13 points and 9 rebounds.
It was a season to be proud of, battling through COVID cancellations, injuries, and assortments of adversity. Mikail Montez finished the year with 218 rebounds putting her 7th on the all time EvCC list for single season rebounds. Her career total is 359 which ranks 8th all time at EvCC in career rebounds. The team was one of the best defensive teams at EvCC, holding opponents to 34.1% shooting and 57 points per game. Two players were recognized to the All Region team. Mikail Montez was named 2nd team all region and Sydney VanNess was named 1st team all region.