The Thunderbirds as well as the rest of the NWAC have had their conference games delayed due to health and safety concerns. 

The spike in cases with the new Omicron variant has proven to be a main factor in the NWAC’s executive board and the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) decision to push conference play back a couple of weeks.

“There were quite a few teams around the NWAC that had positive tests which caused some games to be cancelled right after Christmas,” said Highline men’s Head Coach Che Dawson.

However, this delay gives the Thunderbirds a chance to get healthy and back into the win column, as they are currently on a four-game losing streak. 

“The NWAC thought it would be good to give everyone time to get back healthy and to figure out new protocols, if any, for the league season,” said Dawson.

In Highline’s most recent game on Dec. 22, the team lost a close one 93-91 to the Olympic Rangers. 

Guard Micah Jessie scored 30 points on 12-22 shooting. Forward Jalen Fayson pitched in 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds in his season debut, and guard Bradley Graham contributed 14 points. 

In that game, the T-Birds trailed 53-38 at halftime, but mounted a huge second half comeback led by 16 points from Micah Jessie to make it a thriller till the end. 

Guard Kenny Curtis made a three pointer off a Bradley Graham pass, with 1:46 left to tie the game at 87.

Olympic went on to score five points in 46 seconds, including a dagger three-pointer by guard Aundree Polk with 41 seconds left. 

The T-Birds are 3-10 in pre-region play.

Highline’s next game will be at the 2-9 South Puget Sound Clippers, on Jan. 19 at 8 p.m.