Bulldogs Take Down Rival Everett 85-71 to Win NWAC Men’s Basketball Title 

PASCO, Wash. – In a North Region battle, the Bellevue Bulldogs came out on top 85-71 over Everett in the finals of the NWAC Men’s Basketball Championship, presented by Sun Pacific Energy, on Sunday at Columbia Basin College. 
 
Entering the tournament as the No. 4-seed from the North Region, the Bulldogs (23-9, 9-5 North) put together a remarkable tournament to claim their second-ever NWAC title and first since 1993. The Bulldogs started the tournament might taking down undefeated North Idaho, and used that momentum to defeat Tacoma, Columbia Basin and finally an Everett team that beat them twice during the regular season. 
 
Prophet Johnson was named the Tournament MVP. Johnson had 19 points and 11 rebounds in the championship game and averaged 20.0 points per game, 8.2 rebounds while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field in the Bulldogs’ four victories. 
 
The Bulldogs win the title after finishing as the runner-up at the 2022 tournament against Yakima Valley. The Bulldogs had three players who played in both championship games including First Team All-Tournament selection Bishop Tosi, Most Inspirational award winner Aydan Janssan and sophomore Daniel Thomas. 
 
The Trojans (25-8, 9-5 North) had an incredible tournament, especially on the offensive end. On Sunday, they were unfortunately unable to find their shooting stroke until late in the game, shooting 38.2 percent from the floor overall and 8-for-24 from long range in the game. Everett started the game with the first basket to take a 2-0 lead but fell behind big as the Bulldogs went on a 15-0 run over the next five minutes. 
 
Knowing the threat the Trojan offense posted, the Bulldogs did not allow Everett to come any closer than within seven points after the big lead. 
 
Tosi had a big game for the Bulldogs with 19 points, shooting 6-for-9 from the field. Owen Moriarty also had 19 points as he hit three three-pointers and was 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Sayerr Senghore had a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds while Janssan finished with eight points and seven boards. 
 
The Trojans were led offensively by Tyriq Luke who scored 19 points. Leon Sayers finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Both Luke and Sayers were named First Team All-Tournament. Colton Spencer had eight points and three rebounds as he was selected Second Team All-Tournament. Everett finishes the year with their best tournament finish since 1995 when they also took second place as they still look for their first championship. 
 
Men’s All-Tournament Team 
MVP: Prophet Johnson, Bellevue 
Most Inspirational: Aydan Janssan, Bellevue 
 
First Team 
TJ Doman, Clackamas 
Tyriq Luke, Everett 
Ta’Veus Randle, Columbia Basin 
Leon Sayers, Everett 
Bishop Tosi, Bellevue 
 
Second Team 
Isaiah Gilliam, Clackamas 
Jayden Martinez, Columbia Basin 
Owen Moriarty, Bellevue 
Sayerr Senghore, Bellevue 
Colton Spencer, Everett