Trojans go 2-1 in Walla Walla

After a brief return home in which the Trojans cruised to a 109-91 win over then 7-1 Clackamas CC last Monday night, Everett was back on the road for the NWAC Crossover Tournament hosted by Walla Walla CC.  EvCC opened the tournament against Tacoma CC on Friday night.  The Titan's season was off to a slow start, but they started strong against the Trojans.  In the first ten minutes, they put up 25 points, and had built a 17-point lead with seven minutes to play in the half.  But Everett has started slow offensively before, and by halftime Everett cut the lead down to seven.  Markieth Brown Jr had 20 first half points and Elijah Seybold chipped in nine off the bench.

In the second half, the Titans kept a 3 to 6 point cusion before going on a 9-0 run to extend their lead back out to 12 by the twelve minute mark.  Consistent to every game this season, Everett showed no signs of quitting, and promptly rattled off a 15-0 run of their own to take the lead at 75-72 for the first time since leading 4-3, two minutes into the ball game.  For the final six minutes, Everett never relinquished the lead and fought off the Titans three seperate times who drew within one.  In a game that featured 20 combined three pointers by both teams, the Trojans outlasted the Titans by a final score of 93-89.  Markieth Brown Jr lead all scorers with 32 points, Elijah Seybold finished with 15, and Bobby Martin finished with 13 points and 9 rebounds.  

Full Box Score

The second game of the tournament pitted the Trojans against the third ranked team they've faced this season in the #3 Lane CC Titans.  This one turned out to be a slugfest ending in a 106-101 loss for Everett now 0-3 vs top 8 ranked NWAC.  teams.   After trailing by as much as 11 with six minutes to go, the Trojans cut the lead to four with 19 seconds to go, but could never close the gap in the final moments.  Four players scored over 20 points and Markieth Brown Jr. once again lead all scorers with 38 points.  Freshman Noah Phillips from Cashmere had his breakout game of his college career scoring 20 off the bench.  Freshman guard Joe Crumley also had a career best 16 points coming off the bench.  

Full Box Score

In the final game, the Trojans faced the host school, and 2017 NWAC Champions Walla Walla.  After a tight first half, Everett once again found themselves trailing at half by four.  Despite 9 turnovers and giving up 8 made three pointers, they were able to get to the line seven times and converted 12-12 on their free throws. 

The home team pushed their lead out to as much as eleven with 13:30 remaining before the Trojans made their run sparked by a strong defensive effort.  A 10-0 run brought the score to 73-74 before Walla Walla answered with their first field goal in over three and a half minutes.  Everett regained the lead on a Markieth Brown Jr "and one" play to give the Trojans an 82-81 lead with just under eight minutes remaining.  One tie and two lead changes later the Trojans found themselves up late thanks to more good shooting from the free throw line.  They finished the game 25-28 (89%) from the stripe and held on for the 95-90 win. 

Full Box Score

Everett improves to 7-6 on the season and will enjoy a break before they return to action on December 29th for a rematch with Spokane at home.  Tip off is set for 6:00pm following the conclusion of the Lake Stevens HS vs Anacortes HS Boys Varsity game.