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Southwestern Oregon’s men won their opening basketball game at the NWAC Tournament, Columbia Basin College, Pasco, WA, Saturday, over Walla Walla, 93-68, to advance to the round of “Elite Eight.” NWAC report - PASCO, Wash. - The Southwestern Oregon Lakers enjoyed a convincing upset of Walla Walla 93-68 in the 2025 NWAC Men's Basketball Championship Sweet 16 presented by Golf Universe on Saturday at Columbia Basin College. The Lakers used a high-energy offense that shot 55.2 percent from the floor for the game on 67 total field goal attempts to down the No. 1 Warriors in another upset in the NWAC men's tournament. SW Oregon only ever trailed by as many as two points early in the first half before pulling away by halftime. The Lakers showcased strong performances from several key players including Luke Fotheringham who emerged as a top scorer with 24 points, converting 11 of 19 field goal attempts, and contributing four total rebounds. Kam DuPaix delivered an impressive 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including four 3-pointers, while also grabbing seven rebounds and adding three assists. Colby Whicker added 17 points, going 6-for-10 from the field with four assists. The Lakers started the first half strong, with DuPaix hitting a three-pointer at 19:09 to take an early lead. Fotheringham contributed significantly with multiple successful jumpers and a dunk, helping SWOCC build a 12-point lead just before halftime. The Warriors' efforts included a three-pointer by Drew Hottinger at 01:36 and consistent scoring from Luke Holecek. SWOCC continued to pull away in the second half as they outscored the Warriors 46-32 to earn a 25-point victory. The Lakers made six three pointers in the second half. Overall, they outrebounded Walla Walla 38-25 including 9-4 on the offensive glass. The Warriors were led offensively by Luke Holecek who had 14 points, but was limited in the first half due to drawing two fouls. Trey Arland led the team in rebounds with 11, adding eight points. Drew Hottinger had 14 points in just 19 minutes off the bench. Sunday, SWOCC won again to advance to the Final Four. NWAC release - PASCO, Wash. - The Southwestern Oregon Lakers defeated Green River College 61-56 to advance to the Final Four of the 2025 NWAC Men's Basketball Championship on Sunday at Columbia Basin College. With this victory, the Lakers (23-8) advance to their first Final Four since 2008, where they are looking for their first title. They do so by defeating the reigning champion Gators. SWOCC and the Gators opened the first half with a closely contested game, with the Lakers eventually leading 31-30 at the end of the half. Colby Whicker started the game with SWOCC's first 15 points as he finished with 22 for the contest. Logan Deal contributed with key layups at 7:44 and 5:10, pushing SWOCC to their largest lead of eight points at 4:20. Despite several missed 3-pointers from both teams, GRC's Chase Degraffenried and Jayden Wright kept the home team competitive, with Wright's layup at 0:37 closing the gap to just one point by halftime. The second half between the Lakers and the Gators saw a series of competitive exchanges. The Gators initially took a slim lead at 17:31 with two free throws by Degraffenried, making the score 32-31. However, Kam DuPaix quickly responded with two successful free throws for the Lakers to regain the lead at 33-32. SWOCC then extended their lead with a 7-0 run, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Kelby Jessen at 14:21 and a layup by Luke Fotheringham at 12:39, pushing the score to 43-35. A crucial moment occurred at 7:48 when Colby Whicker hit a 3-pointer and followed it with a free throw after a foul, giving SWOCC their largest lead of the half at 53-42. The Gators later pulled the deficit back down to just three points, but Kelby Jessen came up with a big three pointer with 25 seconds to extend the Lakers' lead back to six. Whicker led the Lakers with 22 points, including four 3-pointers, and contributed four assists and two steals. Jessen was a key player on the boards, grabbing 10 rebounds and scoring 11 points, with three baskets from beyond the arc. DuPaix also made an impact, securing eight rebounds and adding six points. Logan Weidauer led the Gators with a standout performance, scoring 20 points and making all six of his free-throw attempts. He also contributed eight rebounds. Jayden Wright was also strong, recording 13 points. The Lakers will next head to the Final Four and take on South Puget Sound on Saturday at 7 p.m. With three teams from the West Region in the Final Four, the Lakers kept it from being an All-West Region semifinals with their victory. The Final Four features four new teams this year in Highline, Skagit Valley, SPSCC and SWOCC.

SWOCC sb/bb

Southwestern Oregon’s softball team won four games at a Preseason Tournament, in Washington. The Lakers beat Douglas, 12-5 (4) at Kennewick, WA, followed by a 15-0 win over Yakima Valley, at Pasco, WA. On Sunday, SWOCC traveled to Southridge and beat Olympic, 8-6, and capped it with a 4-4 win over Columbia Basin on Sunday. The Lakers (11-1) play at Centralia, WA, Friday, March 14, 3 p.m. Southwestern’s baseball team won two and lost two in the State of Washington. SWOCC beat Yakima Valley, 5-3, Saturday, but also fell 6-1 to Olympic. On Sunday, beat Olympic, 6-2, but lost to Yakima Valley, 3-2. SWOCC (2-4, 4-8) has an NWAC doubleheader on Thursday, March 13, noon, home to Clackamas.