Southwestern Oregon Men Reach NWAC Finals

NWAC release - PASCO, Wash. - The Southwestern Oregon Lakers clinched their spot in the NWAC Final for the first time in program history, defeating South Puget Sound 76-60 in the Final Four of the 2025 NWAC Men's Basketball Championship presented by Golf Universe, on Saturday at Columbia Basin College. The Lakers continued their incredible run from No. 4 seed in the tournament to the final game on Sunday where they will face Lower Columbia. SWOCC will be making its first appearance in the championship game in the NWAC, previously appearing in the finals six times with two titles as members of the Oregon Community Colleges Athletic Association (OCCAA). The OCCAA merged with the then NWAACC after the 1983 season. They will make their first championship appearance since then, under head coach Riley Grandinetti. The Lakers continued to play their fast-paced, team oriented style in the semifinals against SPSCC, posting a 17-10 advantage in assists on the game. SWOCC featured several standout players as all five started reached double-digit scoring. Luke Fotheringham led the team with 17 points and dished out nine assists with five rebounds. Colby Whicker contributed significantly by scoring 16 points and hitting four 3-pointers. Kam DuPaix also had a notable performance with 10 points, adding two steals to his defensive efforts. Quincy Hills and Kelby Jessen each had 10 points as well. With the game tied 15-15 with 11:48 to play in the first half, SWOCC pulled ahead with a 12-0 run, ending the half with a 33-25 lead. The second half of the game saw Southwestern Oregon extend their lead with efficient scoring and defense. Jessen started the quarter strong for the Lakers with a layup at 19:33, followed by a jumper at 19:03, increasing their lead to 37-27. Fotheringham continued to be a key player, contributing multiple layups, including ones at 18:21 and 17:05, and a 3-pointer at 7:12. The Lakers went ahead by as many as 24 with 5:29 to play, proving to be an insurmountable deficit for the Clippers. Nehemiah Pollard led the Clippers in scoring with 15 points, making three 3-point shots and four free throws while also grabbing seven rebounds. Marcus Lawson contributed 12 points, connecting on five baskets and adding three rebounds. Jeremiah Lewis was a standout on the boards with 12 rebounds and also scored 10 points. Quincy Linton added seven points with two assists and a block. The Lakers will look for their first-ever NWAC title on Sunday as they take on Lower Columbia at 4:45 p.m. at Holden Court.

NWAC II

NWAC release - PASCO, Wash. - The Lower Columbia Red Devils claimed their third NWAC title and first since 2005, defeating Southwestern Oregon 67-63 in the final of the 2025 NWAC Men's Basketball Championship presented by Golf Universe on Sunday at Columbia Basin College. The Red Devils (29-4) won their first title in two decades and the first for former LCC player and now head coach Mickey Polis. Lower Columbia led from start to finish, but held off a second-half run from the Lakers. Despite leading by as many as 23 points in the first half, the Red Devils saw their lead dwindle to as few as two points with five seconds left before closing out the victory. The Red Devils opened the first half with a strong start, quickly establishing a 10-0 lead by 17:06, highlighted by Amir Locus's 3-pointer. The Lakers struggled with turnovers early, committing several in the initial minutes, allowing LCC to extend their advantage. David Young hit a three-pointer midway through the half, pushing the lead to 23 points, their largest of the game. SWOCC tried to rally, with Kelby Jessen hitting a 3-pointer at 13:01, but LCC maintained control, ending the half with a 36-20 lead. In the second half, SWOCC made a strong push, outscoring LCC 43-31 overall. The Lakers began the half with an early layup by Kam DuPaix at 19:46, and Luke Fotheringham contributed with a layup at 18:48. LCC's David Young responded with a 3-pointer at 17:47, giving them a 15-point lead. However, SWOCC mounted a comeback with Quincy Hills hitting a 3-pointer at 12:28, followed by another three from him at 09:52, reducing the deficit to just three points. The Red Devils were unable to completely put the Lakers away in the second half, but also did not let SWOCC tie the score or take the lead, maintaining at least a two-point advantage the whole way through. Free throws were key down the stretch for the Red Devils who made 11-of-16 in the second half to close out the victory. Tournament MVP David Young led the Red Devils with a standout performance, contributing 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field with five rebounds, four steals, three blocks and two blocks. Malik Brown supported with 19 points and was efficient at the free-throw line, making 8 of 12 attempts. Brown also recorded six rebounds and four assists. Amir Locus was effective from three-point range, hitting all 3 of his attempts and finishing with 12 points. Kam DuPaix led the Lakers with a standout performance, contributing 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting, and securing 11 rebounds. Connor Wilson came off the bench to score 16 points including 2 3-pointers. Quincy Hills was effective from beyond the arc, hitting 3-of-6 3-point attempts, contributing to his total of nine points. The Lakers finish an incredible season with a 25-9 record and a runner-up finish. Luke Fotheringham & Colby Whicker were selected to the All Tourney First Team, and Kam DuPaix, the Second Team

SWOCC BB/SB

Southwestern Oregon’s baseball games at home with Clackamas, Thursday, were postponed, no scores on Saturday’s doubleheader at Umpqua. The Lakers are scheduled to host Chemeketa on Thursday, March 20, noon & 3p.m. The SWOCC’s softball team split a NWAC Preseason Tournament at Pasco, WA with Centralia. The Lakers lost the opener 9-7, but came back and won the second game 20-0 (5). No score on Saturday’s doubleheader at Grays Harbor. Southwestern (1-1, 12-2) is scheduled to host Mt. Hood on Saturday, March 22, noon & 2 p.m.