(Longview, WA) – It was a celebration of women's basketball at Lower Columbia College on Thursday December 1
st.
The LCC players returning off last season's NWAC Championship team were presented with championship rings prior to their non-divisional game with Clark and then went out and played like they want another one.
The championship banner, the first in LCC history, was unfurled prior to the game. With all of the ceremonial respect to last year's team prior to the game, head coach
Lucas Myers was aware of the possibility of a let-down.
He didn't have to worry long.
The Devils came out with championship caliber intensity and rolled to a 91-55 victory over Clark. The game was nearly over before the rings were put back into the box. The Devils were up 12-0 before Clark could get a score. LCC made five of its first six shots.
The defensive intensity was remarkable. LCC led 27-5 after the first quarter and 53-20 at half time.
Aivine Soakai was dominant. The sophomore transfer ended up with 27 points and 11 rebounds. Myers asked her to step up her game and she complied by hitting 13 of 16 shots, pulling eight boards on the offensive glass and providing two assists and two steals. It was a breakout game for the soft-spoken post know as "V". V as in victory.
All 14 Red Devils played and all 14 scored.
Jazlynn Novelli was doing her thing with 16 points including 3 of 5 from distance.
Caitlin Wachmann had nine points.
Paige Mace had eight points. The list went on and on as every Red Devil was feeling the championship vibes on this special night.
Clark was held to 33 percent shooting. LCC out rebounded the Penguins 45-31. The Devils forced 30 Clark turnovers.
Lower Columbia goes to 4-1 on the season as they head to Port Angeles for the Pirate Classic. LCC plays Bellevue at 11 am on Saturday December 3
rd. Sunday is a rematch of last season's championship game as the Peninsula team hosts LCC at 6 pm in key early season non-league showdown.
