CBC, the Northwest’s top community college teams coming to Pasco

Thirty-two men’s and women’s community college basketball teams come to Pasco over the next two weeks for the Northwest Athletic Conference championships.

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The tournaments make their triumphant return to the Tri-Cities after being in Everett these past few years, and before that they were played inside the Toyota Center.

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One of the big reasons they return to the Tri-Cities is the new Columbia Basin College Student Recreation Center that opened in 2022.

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In all, 30 games (15 for me and 15 for women) will be held on the campus from Wednesday, March 8, through the two championships, set for Sunday, March 19.

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The tournament begins Wednesday with four women’s games, including the CBC women taking on Pierce Community College at 6 p.m.

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There is a lot to like with this tournament.

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Start with Amy Sokaitis and her Columbia Basin College women’s basketball team.

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The Hawks are the East Region’s top seed, winning the conference title with a 13-3 record, as well as going 20-5 overall.

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The Hawks have won 9 of their last 10 games.

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“The team we have is really special,” said Sokaitis. “They are extremely close off the court and that allows them to challenge one another on the court each day in practice.”

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The CBC women are led by two guards — Lexie Heath and Trinidie Nichols.

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Heath is the Hawks’ leading scorer at 14.7 points per game. Nichols averages 12.8 points, while she leads the team in rebounds (7.0) and assists (4.5).

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Kenzie Pedersen also averages 10.2 points per game for CBC, and she also averages 5.7 rebounds.

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“At this point, four different players have had 20 point games and a handful of others have had 15-18 point nights.(to win this tournament) we have to defend and rebound … the biggest of those being to rebound.”

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The Columbia Basin College men are the East Region’s No. 4 seed with a 20-6 record.

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Hawks coach Anthony Owens got his team into the tournament with a high-octane running offense, coupled with a swarming press.

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Amar Rivers has been CBC’s statistical leader — leading the Hawks in scoring with 11.7 points a game. He also has grabbed 4.6 rebounds and had 2.2 assists this season.

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Jayden Martinez, a Chiawana grad, averages 10.4 points. Other stat highlights: Latrell Barker had 6.8 rebounds, while Malakai Munoz dished off 2.3 assists.

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Owens likes to send his players out in waves, as he likes to cycle out pods of players.

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Here is a couple of other things to watch in these tournaments:

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Coming home

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There are a few players from the Mid-Columbia who will be playing in these tournaments. They are:

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• Two Kamiakin grads — Trey Arland and Kyler Rose — have been starters this season for the Walla Walla Community College men.
• Makenna Brandner (Tri-Cities Prep) plays for the CBC women.
• Malia Cortes (Prosser) will be playing for the WWCC women.
• Sammy Garcia (Hanford), Javon Handcox (Walla Walla) and Jayden Martinez (Chiawana) all play for the CBC men.
• The Wenatchee Valley College women’s team has three area players on its roster: Monica Miller (Walla Walla), Alexes Stein (Kennewick) and Leila Taylor (Prosser). Stein, a freshman, leads the Knights in scoring (12.8 points) and rebounding (7.9).
• Alyna Ramirez (Sunnyside) plays for the Green River Community College women’s team.
• Hermiston grad Jayden Ray, who starts for the Linn-Benton women. Ray has averaged 7.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the 21-6 Roadrunners.

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5 men’s players to watch

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• Prophet Johnson, Bellevue College. Leading scorer in the NWAC at 24.6 points.
• Julius Mims, North Idaho. Leader of the unbeaten Cardinals, he averages 17.3 points and 10.0 rebounds.
• Kyler Rose, Walla Walla CC. The Kamiakin grad has been outstanding, averaging 22.8 points and 10.4 rebounds.
• Roosevelt Williams, Jr., Peninsula. Averages 18.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.
• Edmond’s Elyon Zevenbergen, who averages 16.4 points and 9.6 rebounds.

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5 women’s players to watch

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• Bella Hamel, Lane. Committed to the University of Oregon, she leads the Titans with 18.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.
• Victoria Hollingshead, Umpqua. Averages 16.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists.
• Emilia Long, Peninsula. Averaging 18 points and 3.5 assists.
• Trinidie Nichols, Columbia Basin. Does a lot of the little things for the Hawks, averages 7.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
• Keshara Romain, Pierce. Averages a double-double with 13.3 points and 13.2 rebounds.

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Schedule

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NWAC Men’s tournament

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Friday, March 10

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Game 1 — Edmonds vs. Walla Walla, 10 a.m.

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Game 2 — Clackamas vs. South Puget Sound, 12 p.m.

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Game 3 — Everett vs. Spokane, 6 p.m.

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Game 4 — Lower Columbia vs. Umpqua, 8 p.m.

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Saturday, March 11

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Game 5 — Southwestern Oregon vs. Green River, 10 a.m.

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Game 6 — Peninsula vs. Columbia Basin, 12 p.m.

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Game 7 — Tacoma vs. Linn-Benton, 6 p.m.

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Game 8 — North Idaho vs. Bellevue, 8 p.m.

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Game 9 — Winner 1 vs. winner 2, 2 p.m.

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Game 10 — Winner 3 vs. winner 4, 4 p.m.

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Sunday, March 12

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Game 11 — Winner 5 vs. winner 6, 2 p.m.

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Game 12 — Winner 7 vs. winner 8, 4 p.m.

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Saturday, March 18

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Game 13 — Winner 9 vs. winner 10, 5 p.m.

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Game 14 — Winner 11 vs. winner 12, 7 p.m.

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Sunday, March 19

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Game 15 — Championship, winner 13 vs. winner 14, 4:45 p.m.

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NWAC Women’s tournament

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Wednesday, March 8

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Game 1 — Skagit Valley vs. Clackamas, 12 p.m.

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Game 2 — Green River vs. Wenatchee Valley, 2 p.m.

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Game 3 — Shoreline vs. Umpqua, 4 p.m.

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Game 4 — Columbia Basin vs. Pierce, 6 p.m.

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Thursday, March 9

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Game 5 — Lower Columbia vs. Walla Walla, 10 a.m.

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Game 6 — Peninsula vs. Linn-Benton, 12 p.m.

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Game 7 — North Idaho vs. South Puget Sound, 6 p.m.

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Game 8 — Lane vs. Bellevue, 8 p.m.

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Game 9 — Winner 1 vs. winner 2, 2 p.m.

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Game 10 — Winner 3 vs. winner 4, 4 p.m.

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Friday, March 10

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Game 11 — Winner 5 vs. winner 6, 2 p.m.

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Game 12 — Winner 7 vs. winner 8, 4 p.m.

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Saturday, March 18

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Game 13 — Winner 9 vs. winner 10, 1 p.m.

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Game 14 — Winner 11 vs. winner 12, 3 p.m.

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Sunday, March 19

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Game 15 — Championship, winner 13 vs. winner 14, 2 p.m.

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Ticket prices one day

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Adults $17 digital/$19 on-site (cash)

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Students and senior citizens $9 digital/$10 on-site (cash), must show ID

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Kids ages 7-12 $7 digital/$8 on-site (cash)

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Kids 6 and under free

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Military free (must show ID)

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Jeff Morrow is former sports editor for the Tri-City Herald.