The Thunderbirds continue their Cinderella run in the 2025 NWAC Men’s Basketball Championship, punching their ticket to the Final Four after back-to-back upset victories over top-seeded Skagit Valley and east conference No. 2 Spokane at Columbia Basin College.

Thunderbirds Soar Past Skagit Valley in Sweet 16

Facing the tournament’s top overall seed, Highline pulled off a stunning 74-64 comeback victory over Skagit Valley on Friday. The Thunderbirds trailed 38-29 at halftime but roared back with a dominant second half, outscoring the Cardinals 45-26.

Rylan Donovan led the charge with a game-high 23 points, shooting an efficient 8-for-11 from the field while sinking all six of his free throws. Cooper Aitken added 14 points and five rebounds, while Isaiah Vargas contributed 15 points and four steals. Keaine Silimon provided a well-rounded performance with 10 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

Defensively, Highline tightened the screws, holding Skagit Valley to just 30 percent shooting in the second half and forcing 17 turnovers throughout the game.

“This was an amazing win,” Donovan said. “They’re a great team, and it was a tough one. But Coach Dawson always keeps us focused on the next game and making sure we’re prepared. “We have a great family here at Highline, and that makes all the difference.”

Skagit Valley was led by North Region MVP Sylas Williams, who finished with 20 points and nine rebounds. Bennett O’Connor and Amare Jackson combined for 27 points, but the Cardinals struggled to maintain their first-half momentum against Highline’s relentless defense.

Thunderbirds Continue Historic Run with Elite 8 Win Over Spokane

Highline followed up its Sweet 16 victory with another impressive performance, never trailing in an 87-78 win over Spokane on Saturday. The Thunderbirds exploded for 52 first-half points, drilling nine three-pointers before halftime to build a 17-point cushion.

Isaiah Vargas led the way with 21 points, hitting four three-pointers and adding four rebounds, two steals, and two assists. Keaine Silimon continued his hot shooting, going 4-for-5 from beyond the arc and finishing with 17 points. Rylan Donovan showcased his all-around game, tallying 12 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, while Cooper Aitken chipped in 14 points and eight rebounds.

“We knew this was a huge game, and defense was going to be key,” Silimon said. “We were able to lock in, get stops, and turn those into points. All season, we’ve practiced playing every position, and that’s helped us adapt to any situation.”

Highline’s early dominance set the tone, with Silimon hitting a three-pointer to start a 7-0 run in the opening minutes. The Thunderbirds extended their lead to as many as 28 points in the second half before Spokane made a late push.

Zack Reighard led Spokane with a game-high 30 points, sinking six three-pointers, while Nate Visentin added 11 points and eight rebounds. However, the Sasquatch couldn’t overcome Highline’s efficient offense, which shot 50.7 percent from the field and dished out 23 assists.

With the victory, Highline advances to its first NWAC Final Four since 2014. The Thunderbirds will face a familiar opponent in west conference No. 1 seed Lower Columbia on March 15 at 5 p.m., looking to continue their magical postseason run.