The Highline men’s basketball started the regular season with an exciting win. Playing against Whatcom the Thunderbirds took home the victory with a score of 80-72 on Nov. 13.

Next, the team split a set of away games. On the road playing Portland Community College was a great game to watch, but an unfortunate loss. During the Nov. 18 game, the final scoreboard read 80-72, just like their last game, but this time with Highline coming up on the trailing end of the score.

Chemeketa Community College was another great game and an amazing win coming out steady and picking up the heat at half time. The final 86-79 score put Highline at a 2-1 record early in their season. The game showed what the T-Birds are going to be able to accomplish and showed that all their hard work is paying off. 

The team is showing what it means to be a top team. They will also be playing at Olympic College and Bellevue College in the coming weeks – two good teams in the North West Athletic Conference (NWAC) that will definitely give Highline some tough competition. 

The team is really coming together, flowing, and showing team chemistry. Freshman guard Kenyon Simmons said, “I’ve enjoyed the switch so far going from high school to college basketball. There’s been some ups and downs but with the help of older teammates it’s been easier to navigate.”

As a freshman starting among the two-year returners, Simmons has been showing he can hang in the NWAC. “It’s easier to block out noise and pressure when you can think about the bigger picture. When you have your team behind you pushing and depending on you, it changes to motivation,” Simmons said.

Along with all the freshmen working hard to show why the Highline men’s basketball will be a top team in this NWAC 2025-2026 season. “I am excited to continue seeing how much we grow as a team, when we play our absolute best it’s beautiful. We just need to continue working so that it becomes our average standard and then raise the bar even higher,” Simmons added.

With Highline men’s basketball starting off strong and fast the rest of the season is looking promising and exciting. Also, make sure to stay tuned in with the women’s basketball team as they have just started up and they are looking fierce and ready to win. Both teams have propitious seasons ahead.