Defense Shuts Down Skagit Valley

Mount Vernon, WA - After putting up 112 points against Whatcom CC just four days prior, the Trojans were only able to grind out 82 points on the road against Skagit Valley on Sunday.  Despite scoring 30 less points, Everett got the result they were looking for and handed the Cardinals their 3rd straight loss.  Skagit Valley started the season 17-0 and ranked as the #1 team in the NWAC, however they've had a rough go of it after the first half of north region play.  The Trojans and Cardinals were first slated to face each other back on January 17th, but icy conditions throughout the region caused the game to be postponed.  At that time the Cardinals were still 17-0. 

Two and a half weeks later, Skagit's record fell to 18-3, and 3-3 in north region play.  The Trojans with a 13-7 overall record were also 3-3 in the north, and both teams were hunting to get through the first seven games of the region with a winning record.  In the first half of action, Everett offensively had it going, shooting 53% from the floor while Skagit shot just 34%.  But 9 first half turnovers by EvCC allowed Skagit Valley to get off 14 more shots than the Trojans, in the first half and the home Cardinals had a three point lead at halftime. 

Everett once again had a better field goal percentage that Skagit Valley in the second half, but it was the conversion of 83% from the free throw line (making 15) that gave EvCC some separation.  In the end Everett's defense held Skagit Valley to 71 points, their best defensive performance since December 15th when EvCC coincidentally beat Clark by the same score of 82-71.  Jailin Johnson was once against lights out for the Trojans, finishing with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists.  Johnson also hit two of the team's four total three point field goals.  That total is uncharcteristically low for EvCC, a team that averages over 8 makes a game.  Sophomore Raefe McEnroe had a solid double double game with 20 points and 10 rebounds. He also had 3 blocked shots. Hayden Conaxis played 28 minutes off the bench and gave EvCC 14 points, 4 rebounds, and two blocked shots.    

Everett will now head into the second half of north region play, facing off against Edmonds on Wednesday.  The Tritons are sitting at 4-3 as well in the north but currently hold the edge over EvCC having beat the Trojans on Larry Walker Court back on January 10th by a final score of 88-85.  Game time for this important rivalry is set for 7pm on February 7th.