(Longview, WA) – The Lower Columbia College men's basketball team has won the annual Thanksgiving holiday tournament in Longview a record nine times.  But the last one has been a long time coming.
 
The Red Devils went 3-0 against top flight competition in capturing the 35^th Red Devil Classic at Myklebust Gym.
 
Led by tournament MVP Sherman Royal III, the Devils defeated Everett in the title game 72-62 on Sunday November 27^th. After missing Saturday's game with a twisted ankle, Emanual Steward came back to score 17 against Everett.  Steward was named to the All-Tournament team.
 
Friday November 25^th LCC 81 Mt. Hood 65
 
Down eight at halftime, the Devils rallied to outscore the Saints 48-24 after the break in taking the season home opener.  Steward led the way with 20 points, four rebounds and three assists.  He played through the ankle injury that occurred when he rolled his ankle on a spectator in the front row.
 
Royal had 12 points and, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
 
Freshman guard Mekhi Morris was solid with 10 points and three steals.  Cameron Holden had nine points.  Ashton Harvey also had nine points to go along with six rebounds.  Cole Hardy had eight points and four boards.
 
Kaden Horn had six points and Carter McCoy added five including a two hand throw down on a fast break.  Jonah Zeller had five rebounds.
 
Saturday November 26^th LCC 72 Yakima Valley 48
 
The Devils came out smoking hot against the defending NWAC champion Yaks.  The Devils jumped out to a 19-4 lead and never looked back.  LCC led 44-19 at halftime and then outscored the Yaks 29-28 in the second half to cruise to the victory.
 
Royal was again outstanding with a double-double of 18 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals.
 
Horn was on fire in the first half as he came off the bench and provided 16 points, hitting 4 of 8 rain making three's in the ballgame.  Cole Hardy had 11 points and eight rebounds, five on the offensive glass.  Holden and Harvey each scored eight points.  Morris had five points and four assists in his first college start as the Devils played without Steward.
 
Sunday November 27^th LCC 72 Everett 62
 
LCC again had to rally in the second half to get the job done.  Down 34-31 at the break the Devils outscored the Trojans 41-28 in the second half.
 
Steward returned to the lineup and picked up right were he left off with 17 points.  He was 8 for 8 at the four line.  The Devils stepped up big time at the line going 20 for 24 and made the big ones down the stretch as Everett was forced to foul.
 
Royal had another double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
 
Every Red Devil scored in the game.  Harvey had eight, Jake Leitz with seven, Zeller and Holden with six each, Horn and Holden with six apiece, Morris with five and McCoy with two.
 
The last time LCC won the Red Devil Classic was 2014.  It was the first for head coach Mickey Polis, although he won it as a LCC player back in 2005.
 
The Devils are 4-0 on the season and will return to the home court on Thursday December 1^st against the Clark Penguins. Tip off is at 7:30.

35^th Red Devil Classic All-Tournament Team
 
MVP-Sherman Royal III, Lower Columbia
Emanuel Steward, Lower Columbia
Jadin Penigar, Everett
JT Smith, Everett
Emmett Holt, Spokane
Onajawa Thomas, Southwestern Oregon
Naysean Baisey, Olympic

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