Overtime on Valentines Day

Everett, WA – North region play continued on Valentine's Day as the Trojans took on Skagit Valley College, both teams locked in the standings and tied for third at 5-4.  Despite being third, both teams can taste the top of the standings, just one game behind Peninsula and Shoreline who are sitting at 6-3. 

The Trojans got the first bucket of the game and through the next ten minutes there would be plenty of action with two ties and 6 lead changes.  The Trojans hit four threes, two from Derek Smith and had a slim four-point lead, 24-20.

The Trojan lead extended out to as many as seven, shooting 54% from the field, but the Cardinals continued to attack the glass, and found buckets inside.  Skagit took the lead back with 1:40 to play in the half and by the halftime buzzer led 43-38.  The Trojans shot a better percentage from the field than the visitors, but the Cardinals got off ten more attempts, and converted on four additional field goals, primarily due to 11 first half Trojan turnovers.   Derek Smith and Raefe McEnroe led EvCC in scoring with 10 first half points apiece. 

Skagit opened up the half by stretching the lead out to 15 when the Trojans failed to score through the first four minutes.  The Trojans made a short run to get within 9, but Skagit Valley went hard on the offensive glass, and extended the lead back out to double digits and again as many as 15. 

Over the next ten minutes, the Trojans began to slowly chip away at the lead.  With four minutes to go EvCC went down by 12 after a made Skagit three, but Everett went on a 14-0 run and capped it with a Jailin Johnson bucket at the rim to tie the game at 77 with 14 seconds to go. 

Skagit had the final shot of the game but it was short, and the game would go into overtime.  This would be the first overtime game for Everett this season, while Skagit has been in two this season, winning both.

In extra time, Skagit got on the board first with a made free throw, but Everett answered and took the lead back.  With the score tied an intentional foul was called on the Trojans that gave which allowed Skagit to tie the game, and take the lead on the ensuing possession.  Down the stretch Everett couldn't get the shots to fall and Skagit would go on to win their third overtime game of the season.  Final score 93-85.

Raefe McEnroe ended up fouling out of the game with two minutes to go in overtime, but finished with 21 points and 7 rebounds. Three Trojans each scored 17 points, Jailing Johnson who also had 9 rebounds and 4 assists, Derek Smith who also had 11 rebounds, and Hayden Conaxis scored 17 off the bench. 

The Trojans fall to 5-5 in north region play, but have a big game in two days against Shoreline, who is also 5-5.  Game time is set for 7:30pm in Shoreline.