(Pasco, WA)
Sweet 16 Round vs Shoreline
The Lower Columbia Red Devils showcased their dominance in the Sweet Sixteen round of the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Championships, rolling past the Shoreline Dolphins with a decisive 91-60 victory on March 6, 2025. With a high-powered offense and stifling defense, Lower Columbia left little doubt as they advanced to the Elite Eight.
The Red Devils set the tone early, outscoring Shoreline 43-28 in the first half behind efficient shooting and an aggressive rebounding presence. They continued their onslaught in the second half, adding 48 more points while keeping the Dolphins in check. Lower Columbia shot an impressive 52.9% from the field, including 40.7% from beyond the arc, demonstrating their offensive prowess.
Kap Laila led the Red Devils with 20 points and nine rebounds, knocking down three three-pointers while also contributing defensively.
David Young added 17 points, hitting two shots from deep and going 3-for-4 from the free-throw line.
Amir Locus controlled the boards with a dominant 13-rebound performance while chipping in 11 points.
Malik Brown was the primary playmaker, dishing out eight assists to go along with his 12 points.
Shoreline struggled to keep pace with the Red Devils, shooting just 40% from the field and only attempting two free throws in the entire contest. Sherrell McCullum led the Dolphins with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Daniel Wondie added 10 points and four rebounds. Despite their efforts, the Dolphins could not overcome Lower Columbia's defensive pressure, turning the ball over 14 times and managing only 28 rebounds compared to the Red Devils' 47.
The victory extends Lower Columbia's impressive season record to 26-4 as they advance to the next round with momentum on their side. They will now prepare for their Elite Eight matchup vs Treasure Valley.
Elite 8 Round vs Treasure Valley
The Lower Columbia Red Devils dominated from start to finish in their Elite Eight matchup against the Treasure Valley Chukars, cruising to a 77-49 victory in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Championships on March 8, 2025. With the win, Lower Columbia secured a spot in the Final Four, keeping their championship hopes alive.
The Red Devils jumped out to an early lead, using a high-energy first half to establish control. By halftime, they had built a 36-21 advantage behind efficient shooting and relentless defense. Their dominance continued in the second half, outscoring Treasure Valley 41-28 to seal the win.
Lower Columbia's balanced offensive attack saw five players score in double figures. James Grose led the team with 14 points and seven rebounds, while David Young added 12 points and five steals. Malik Brown and Javares Reid each contributed 12 and 16 points, respectively, while Kap Laila chipped in with 11 points and four assists.
The Red Devils shot an impressive 53.2% from the field and controlled the glass with a 44-30 rebounding advantage. Their defensive intensity forced 13 turnovers and held Treasure Valley to just 25% shooting, including a dismal 14.3% from beyond the arc.
Treasure Valley struggled to find any offensive rhythm throughout the contest. Ashraf Barsham led the Chukars with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Eddie Rodriguez added 14 points off the bench. However, their inefficiency from the field and inability to generate second-chance opportunities proved costly.
With the victory, Lower Columbia improves to 28-4 on the season and advances to the NWAC Final Four, where they will face a familiar opponent, the Highline Thunderbirds.Â
Thunderbirds at Red Devils will tip at 5:00 pm on Saturday, March 15th, in Pasco, WA at Columbia Basin College.
