Local NWAC basketball teams | At a glance
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Here’s a look at Snohomish County’s Northwest Athletic Conference basketball teams as North Region play begins Wednesday:
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Edmonds
Record: 10-2
North Region opener: Hosts Shoreline at 7 p.m. Wednesday
Top players: Elyon Zevenbergen, 6-8, Fr., F, 16.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG; Chris Lee, 6-1, Fr., G, 14.1 PPG; Tony Frolich-Fair, 6-6, So., F, 12.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG
Outlook: Edmonds heads into region play as one of the hottest teams in NWAC, having rattled off eight straight victories. The Tritons are one of the leagues’ top offensive teams as they rank second in NWAC in scoring at 91.8 points per game. Edmonds has a balanced attack with five players averaging double figures. Zevenbergen is an Edmonds native who attended King’s H.S.
Everett
Record: 13-2
North region opener: Hosts Skagit Valley at 7 p.m. Wednesday
Top players: Jadin Penigar, 6-5, Fr., G, 16.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG; Colton Spencer, 6-3, So., G, 14.2 PPG; Tucker Molina, 6-6, Fr., F, 8.3 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.8 APG
Outlook: Everett, which was ranked No. 5 in the most recent NWAC poll, is looking to bounce back after it had its streak of four straight North Region championships snapped last year. The Trojans have one of the league’s top defenses, holding opponents to 38.7% shooting from the floor, ranking second in NWAC. Everett has a significant local presence in the form of Molina (Glacier Peak H.S.) and high-scoring reserve guard Taras Fesiienko (Everett H.S.).
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Edmonds
Record: 8-2
North Region opener: Hosts Shoreline at 5 p.m. Wednesday
Top players: Jada Walters, 6-0, Fr., G, 15.6 PPG; Aspen Carter, 5-10, Fr., G, 11.4 PPG; Layla Young, 5-11, Fr., F, 11.3 PPG
Outlook: Edmonds hasn’t been a factor in a long time, including opting out of the coronavirus season in 2020-21. However, coach Josh McLeod, who’s officially in charge after taking over on an interim basis just before last season began, has the Tritons rolling thanks to an influx of impact newcomers. Edmonds, which has impressive victories over ranked teams Green River and Lower Columbia on its resume, is holding opponents to 32.3% shooting from the floor.
Everett
Record: 3-7
North Region opener: Hosts Skagit Valley at 5 p.m. Wednesday
Top players: Mikail Montez, 5-10, So., F, 14.8 PPG, 9.1 RPG; Maddy Thoma, 5-10, So. F, 10.9 PPG; Grace Trichler, 5-8 Fr., G, 8.8 PPG
Outlook: Everett qualified for the past two NWAC tournaments, with a North Region championship wedged in between during the coronavirus pandemic season that didn’t feature an NWAC tournament. However, the Trojans are off to a slow start and have lost six straight heading into region play. Everett is sixth in NWAC in scoring defense, allowing just 56.3 points per game. Montez (Marysville Getchell H.S.), Thoma (Glacier Peak H.S.) and Trichler (Sultan H.S.) are all local products.
