B-Ball is Back: LBCC men’s and women’s teams get rolling over winter break
Photo by Elliot Pond
LBCC men’s and women’s basketball teams stayed busy over winter break. Both teams played in two tournaments and had their first league matches as well.
The men’s team hosted the Crossover Tournament Dec.16 to 18, including teams from Treasure Valley, Centralia, and Olympic. LBCC finished 1-2 over the weekend, beating Centralia and losing to Treasure Valley and Olympic. After Christmas, the team attended the Clackamas Tournament Dec. 28 to 30. Finishing 2-1 over the weekend, the men’s team picked up wins against Centralia and Edmonds and lost to Walla-Walla. Overall, LBCC finished fourth in the tournament. The team currently sits at a record of 7-5 and are 1-0 in league play, after winning their league opener against Clackamas 105-99 on Jan. 4.
The women’s team visited Everett, Wash. for the Everett Tournament and finished 2-1. The team made it to the championship, but lost to Lower Columbia Community College, who is currently ranked fourth in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC). The team also played in the South Puget Sound Community College Crossover Tournament, where they finished 1-2. The women’s team travelled to Clackamas and won their league opener 63-55 on Jan. 4, and are currently 8-5 overall.
Guards Courteney Landis and Jade Bevandich have been the players to watch on the women’s team so far. Landis is currently averaging 9.23 points and 4.15 assists, while Bevandich is averaging 11.69 points and 5.69 rebounds per game.
“We are a very balanced team,” said Head Coach Debbie Herrold. “Stats will show that several players have had big games for us. Without the players surrounding Courteney and Jade, or the players coming off the bench, we would be nowhere near as successful as we are.”
Coach Herrold said she was pleased with the team’s progression so far this season, especially since this is the second year since LBCC brought back the women’s basketball program.
The men are lead by sophomore guard Kendrick Abraham and sophomore Tanner Autencio. Abraham is the team’s leading scorer at 15.17 points per game, and also contributing 2.42 assists. Autencio is averaging 12.25 points while leading the team in rebounds at 5.75 a game. Head Coach Everett Hartman said he felt good about where his team is at the moment, but says defense and rebounding must improve.
The men’s upcoming game is at home on Wednesday, Jan. 11 against Umpqua at 7:30. The women’s next game is at home as well against Umpqua at 5:30, make sure to show up and support both teams!
All games, stats, and standings can be found at NWAC.org.
Story by Nicholas Fields
