(Everett, WA) – The Lower Columbia College women's basketball team has won the NWAC championship. They did it in dramatic fashion.
Chinedu Nnadi hit a three-pointer as the overtime buzzer sounded to give the Devils their first-ever NWAC women's hoop title 76-75 over Peninsula, triggering a mob scene between players, coaches and former players who were in attendance. Nnadi's shot was one of the most dramatic finishes to an NWAC championship game and certainly the biggest shot in the 58 year history of women's basketball at Lower Columbia.
And it wasn't the only dramatic shot in the ultra-competitive game between the Pirates and Red Devils.
Michaela Harris hit a long three from the left side with 9.9 seconds left in regulation to get the Devils into the overtime.
The game was a classic. There were 17 lead changes and the game was tied on 14 occasions.
Both teams were coming off dramatic semi-final wins on Saturday night. Fatigue was a factor but desire was everywhere. The Pirates forced the Devils into 31 turnovers and they collected 19 steals. The Pirates also had 20 offensive rebounds leading to 18 second-chance points.
But the Devils solid shooting kept them in the game. They were 47 percent from the floor and an amazing 60 percent behind the arc.
Tournament MVP
Jodi Noyes played just eight minutes in the first half due to foul trouble, but she had a great second half and overtime. Noyes had 20 points and nine rebounds. Five of her points came in the overtime.
Danica Schmidt had an incredible tournament. Schmidt scored 16 points with nine rebounds and three blocked shots. Schmidt was a first team All-NWAC tourney selection and was also honored as the Most Inspirational Player.
Harris was named to the all-tourney second team. Harris had 15 points including the three to send the game into overtime and the championship winning assist to Nnadi.
Also named second team was
Jazlynn Novelli. She finished with 11 points in the championship game.
Nnadi scored five points with four rebounds in 13 minutes of action. Her championship game winner puts her into the category of most clutch shot in school history.
The Devils had one of the great victories in the semi-final game on Saturday March 26
th. LCC defeated 28-0 Lane 77-70 to get into championship. LCC led from start to finish using a stifling defense that held the hot shooting Titans to 31 percent from the floor and 16 percent from long distance.
Schmidt was incredible with 21 points, 15 rebounds, six blocks and four assists. Noyes had 18 points, six rebounds and five assists. Novelli had 12 points.
With the great victory over the near unanimous favorite going into the tournament, the Devils had to find the energy to complete the championship run and they had just enough to beat a tough Peninsula team.
LCC had great playoff wins over Umpqua, Whatcom, Lane and Peninsula to capture first women's basketball title. LCC lost to Chemeketa in the 1995 championship game. It's finally the Red Devils time.
Head coach
Lucas Myers got the job done in his fourth year as the head coach. He held the trophy high and took congratulations from many former coaches, players and supporters. There was a good number of former Devils that came on the court and celebrated with the 2022 NWAC Champs after Nnadi's shot triggered the pandemonium.
Myers was mysteriously not voted as the West Region Coach of the Year after leading the team to an unbeaten league record with a margin of over 10 points in each win. Not to mention his work as the West Region representative on the NWAC coaches committee. He's not worrying about it. NWAC Coach of the Year sounds a lot better.
The Devils finished the season with a record of 26-1 and ended it on a 16-game winning streak.
The 2022 season will be remembered with historic SWAG including nets, banners and rings, oh my!
