March Madness: Men’s Hoops Opens Championship Tournament Thursday night
Pasco, Wash. – On Thursday night Edmonds College men's basketball will be featured in the nightcap at the NWAC Basketball Championship Tournament. The Tritons will look to survive and advance against the Blue Mountain CC Timberwolves in their first round matchup at 8 p.m. on the campus of Columbia Basin College in Pasco.
Edmonds battled through injuries this season and overcame a five-game losing streak, and two three-game skids, but pressed on and eventually punched their 11th ticket to the big dance in their last 13 years as the No. 3 seed from the North Region. The team rides a four-game winning streak into the tournament, capped by home victories over rival Everett in overtime, and on sophomore night against Olympic. Edmonds completed the regular season 9-5 in the North and 18-11 overall.
On Wednesday the conference released the All-Region teams and the Tritons landed three on the North Region list. Freshman Avidan West earned 1st Team recognition, sophomore Kyrylo Kapinos nabbed 2nd Team honors, and freshman Sebastian Cooper was named to the All-Defensive 1st Team.
West has led the team in scoring with 17 ppg, followed by Kapinos who's dropping 14 ppg. Kapinos has surged in his sophomore campaign and has electrified crowds with his monster dunks throughout the season. Sophomore transfer Isaiah Lopez has been steady, contributing 11 ppg. Six Tritons have averaged over 20 minutes per game, which includes Sam Lockhart, Sebastian Cooper, and Hunter White. Redshirt sophomore Adonai Daniel has come on late and played a key role down the stretch. White and Kapinos have been important in the paint and lead the team in rebounds with 7 rpg apiece.
Edmonds is 3rd in the NWAC in scoring, averaging 86.9 ppg. Blue Mountain is 4th in the NWAC in rebounds per game. The Timberwolves from Pendleton, Ore. secured the No. 2 seed from the East Region, finishing the regular season with a 11-3 mark in the East and 18-9 record overall.
In their only matchup back in late November Edmonds defeated Blue Mountain 101-93 behind double-digit scoring efforts from five Tritons.
Follow the college's social media accounts as Isaiah Lopez has given a behind the scenes glimpse into a day in the life of a Triton athlete in the run up to Thursday's tournament opener.
Edmonds College Instagram | Edmonds College Facebook
If Edmonds can knock off the T-wolves they will advance to the Elite 8 to face the winner of Green River (West No. 1 seed) vs. Lane (South No. 4 seed) on Friday at 4 p.m. The NWAC Championship Tournament is single elimination.
The program is making its 29th all-time appearance in the postseason.
NWAC Men's Basketball Championship Website | Tickets | Bracket | Livestream (pay-per-view) | Live Stats
