By Chris Trujillo
Herald Writer
EVERETT – Not that he’d use it, but just in case, Everett Community College men’s basketball coach Larry Walker could always point to the youth card for redemption.
So far, he hasn’t needed to.
The fact is, Walker’s nine freshmen and three sophomores are sitting pretty entering tonight’s road game at Bellevue Community College. With nine games remaining in their season, a win tonight puts the Trojans (3-4 in league, 6-12 overall) in position to challenge for fourth place and the final playoff spot in the North division of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges. Olympic College (4-3, 10-9) currently is fourth in the North.
Walker really hadn’t counted on this type of positioning at the midway mark. Consider this: The Trojans not only entered the season dominated by a plethora of freshmen, but none of the three sophomores played last year.
Ed Molina, who played at Cascade High School, and Mohamed Young, who attended Timberline High School, each sat out last season after transferring to EvCC the year before. Molina came from San Diego City College while Young played his freshman season at Whatcom CC. Gerry Borrowmeo, who attended Marysville-Pilchuck High School, also sat out the season.
“This entire team is new,” said Walker, who starts freshmen Lance Barton (Lake Stevens High School), John Fromong (Darrington) and Jermaine Gamble (Ingraham) and sophomores Young and Molina.
“But we are really starting to come around. They’re a good bunch to coach. And they come out every day to compete.”
For the past 18 games, this inexperienced group of Trojans has been developing its identity while stirring up a fine blend of chemistry. Despite sitting out a year of basketball, Young, whom Walker tried to recruit straight from high school, has been better than advertised. In fact, he’s becoming more dynamic by the game, Walker said.
“He has really picked up his overall game,” Walker said. “He had a few monster games. Offensively he’s becoming patient and he’s mentally tough. But on defense, that’s where he has really picked it up.”
Young, who has averaged 26.7 points since league play started seven games ago and is sixth among league scorers, scored 28 points and pulled down eight rebounds last week in a 70-69 victory over first place Shoreline. He racked up 37 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and seven steals in a tough 100-92 loss to Olympic, also last week.
An injury benched freshman Scott Lowery, who attended Lake Stevens High, for both games last week. He should be back for Saturday’s game against Seattle CC.
“We’re getting better every game,” Walker said. “And we are right in the hunt.”
EvCC women: The Trojans have won three consecutive games and are eyeing a loftier destination in a crowded playoff picture. EvCC, which is holding onto the third playoff spot (5-2 in conference, 12-8 overall), is looking to pressure second place Skagit Valley (6-1, 11-6) by winning its two games this week: on the road at 7:30 tonight against struggling Bellevue (1-6, 4-13) and at home at 7:30 p.m. Saturday against Seattle (4-4, 9-11).
Erica Merkley, 29, the league’s second top rebounder with 12.3 per game, scored 33 points and grabbed 29 rebounds in last week’s 68-65 victory over Shoreline (1-6, 6-11). Three days later she scored 18 points to go with 18 rebounds as EvCC defeated Olympic 74-41. Deanna Freeman, who attended Granite Falls High, followed with 20 points against Shoreline and 22 against Olympic.
Tritons tailgating EvCC: Despite losing 63-51 last week against second place Skagit Valley and having a four-game winning streak snapped, the EdCC women (4-3 in league, 8-11 overall) have a clear view of the third playoff spot currently occupied by Everett. The Tritons, who haven’t been to the playoffs in 10 years and are one game behind EvCC, will try to keep pace tonight on the road against Olympic (3-4, 6-12). Jade White (15 points per game) and freshman Kendra Victor (13.2 ppg), of Lynden, have led EdCC, which gets the real test at 7:30 p.m. Saturday when it hosts first place Whatcom (7-0, 17-1).
First place traffic jam: The EdCC men (5-2 in league, 9-10 overall) will try tonight to hold on to their share of first place as they conclude the first half of the season on the road against second place Olympic (4-3, 10-9). Shoreline (5-2, 7-9) and Bellevue (5-2, 7-11) are tied with EdCC for first. Craig Roosendaal, a 6-foot-6 freshman who attended King’s High, scored 20 points in EdCC’s 72-68 victory over Skagit Valley last week. EdCC sophomore Nick Lano, who went to Mountlake Terrace High, leads the conference in rebounds with 12.1 per game. He scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the Tritons’ 88-80 win over Bellevue. EdCC hosts Whatcom CC (3-4, 10-8) at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
