The Highline men’s and women’s 2025-2026 basketball season has unfortunately come to an end. Both teams worked incredibly hard everyday and it showed throughout the season. Every game, they wanted it even more than the last. Highline continues to show that they are top competitors in the North West Athletic Conference (NWAC). 

Highline exhibited amazing community and culture, and you see it on the court and in the stands. Both teams showed how Highline competes at this level – with great sportsmanship and tenacity. The men ended their season with a 7-7 in conference record, going 14-17 overall. The women’s season tallied a 7-5 in conference record and went 9-15 overall – with the addition of the woman making it to the NWAC tournament.

In the NWAC tournament the women fought tooth and nail but were defeated by Clackamas, a very tough team to take down (in fact Clackamas is undefeated this season, and is currently in the final four of the NWAC Championship). The loss unfortunately took Highline out of the tournament, but hopefully they will be coming back next year to get revenge. 

The Thunderbirds showed up ready this year. The men’s returnees were more than ready with their leadership and being incredible role models for the incoming players. While the women’s team with only freshmen, displayed their bravery and strength for being the only freshman team, illustrating what it means to be a T-bird. 

The Highline coaches, led by Head Coaches Emil Swain (women’s) and Che Dawson (men’s), put in more time than is known, always on time and always there to continue to bring out amazing, hard working teams, and to bring players together to become strong knit teams. They carry the culture here at Highline and continue to do more than asked for, especially behind the scenes. 

A couple of shout outs go to Dane Lewis for being first team and freshman player of the year, Kayden Lamebull-Ingram being All-Defensive Team, and Nevaeh Richardson being All-Defensive Team and second team. 

Even though the Highline basketball season has ended we can look forward to the 2026-2027 season and what comes next for Highline basketball. But now it’s time to get excited for the Highline softball season, it’s starting up and something to definitely keep an eye on.