Harold C Williams Sr Court, Portland, OR — The Lower Columbia College Red Devils couldn't have asked for a better start to the 2025-26 campaign, securing a commanding 80-65 victory over the Portland Panthers last night in their season opener. The Red Devils demonstrated exceptional efficiency and brute force on the glass, setting an immediate and high standard for the season ahead.
From the tip-off, LCC controlled the tempo, jumping out to a solid lead and heading into the locker room at halftime up 42-35. But the real fireworks came after the break, as the Devils extended their lead and proved why they are a force to be reckoned with, peaking with a 19-point advantage in the second half.
Reid and Grose Lead Explosive Offense
Sophomore post Javares Reid was nothing short of spectacular, leading the charge with a game-high 24 points on an impressive 10-of-18 shooting night. Reid attacked the basket relentlessly, scoring timely buckets in both halves to ensure the Panthers could never mount a serious threat.
Equally impressive was the phenomenal efficiency of forward James Grose. Grose notched 17 points, shooting a nearly perfect 7-of-9 from the field, including draining all three of his 3-point attempts. His hot hand kept the pressure firmly on Portland's defense all evening long.
Dominance on the Glass
The true story of the game was the Red Devils' relentless work in the paint, led by big man Skyler Schmidt. Schmidt owned the boards, pulling down a monster double-double with 15 points and a team-high 13 rebounds (10 defensive). LCC finished with a decisive 48-39 rebounding advantage, crushing second-chance opportunities for Portland and fueling the fast break.
Contributing to the team effort, Shane Douma-Sanchez orchestrated the offense beautifully, tallying 5 assists and chipping in 6 points, including two crucial three-pointers in the first half. The entire squad shot 46.5% from the field and an outstanding 46.7% from beyond the arc.
While Portland's Jackson Leach put up a valiant effort with 22 points, the Panthers struggled to contain LCC's balanced scoring attack and physical defense. The Red Devils' 6 blocks and 6 steals showcased the high-energy defensive mindset Coach Polis has implemented.
This commanding performance marks the first win of the season and puts the rest of the conference on notice: the Red Devils are back and ready to run.
Devils home opener is Tuesday, November 25 at 8:00 pm, vs the Chemeketa Storm. Red Devils women's basketball start the evening off with a 6:00 pm tip vs the Clackamas Cougars.
