Highline men and women’s basketball both had inspired seasons. However, with regular season play concluding, the teams take divergent paths – the men’s season ends falling just short of the postseason, while the women are set to embark on the playoffs this weekend, with eyes set on a championship.

In a play-in game to make the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) tournament, the men’s team traveled to Centralia to take on the Trailblazers on Saturday, Feb. 28. In this high-stakes game to clinch the last remaining playoff spot from the NWAC West division, the Thunderbirds were outmatched, falling to Centralia 83-74.

It was a gritty loss, but an electric game, with both teams throwing punches back and forth the whole match. With the unfortunate loss, Highline finds themselves just on the outside of the tournament, ending their season. The Thunderbirds end the season with a 14-17 record for the season, going 7-7 in conference games.

The Thunderbird offensive leaders for the season were freshman guard Dane Lewis (16.4 points per game), sophomore center Ian Prictor (11.0 ppg), sophomore forward Jackson Owens (10.6 ppg), and sophomore guard Kayden Lamebull-Ingram (9.7 ppg).

It was a tough loss for the men as it was the last game of their season, but with the team having a lot of players returning, next season looks very promising. 

Redshirt Toby Trichler is looking forward to coming back at  point guard next season and commented on the upcoming season as well as this past season. He said, “We have a good amount of returners and with how well we played this year and how well we connected and the culture here at Highline is going to help us succeed next year, hopefully making it to the tournament.”

On the other hand, the women secured a playoff spot and head to the NWAC tournament as the fourth place team in the West division. This impressive feat is highlighted by the fact that Highline’s women’s team is comprised of all freshman players. In the regular season, the T-Birds went 9-14 on the season, and 7-5 in conference play.

However, the playoffs will pose a challenge for the Thunderbirds as in their first playoff game they are slated to take on the undefeated Clackamas Cougars (who went 16-0 in regular season play). 

Highline’s offense is led by Jeralynn Sevaaetasi (11.1 ppg), Keira Lonn (10.7 ppg) and Nevaeh Richardson (9.8 ppg). 

The women have had all week to prepare and Richardson is excited to head to the tournament. She said, “We [have been] preparing all week for our first game against Clackamas. We are all super nervous and excited, it will be a hard game for sure. They are a tough team but I know us as a team we can get a win.” 

The Thunderbirds head to Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Wash., to play in the postseason tournament. Their first match, in the Sweet 16 round, is slated for this Friday, March 6, tipping off at noon.