By Sequoia Hall
Lane basketball has come to an end after an action-packed season filled with thrilling games. Both men’s and women’s basketball programs made the playoffs and neither completed the ultimate goal of a championship, but they worked hard and were a force to be reckoned with. Both programs are on the rise in the Southern Region conference with strong freshman classes who have been around success and look to continue it.
Lanes women’s basketball had a perfect 32-0 regular season and were looking for their third championship in a row. They have to do so while playing at the neutral site of Columbia Basin College Student Recreation Center located in Pasco, WA. They were seeded number one and faced Bellevue College where they quickly dismantled them 79-58 with a strong offensive effort on March 5. The next day during the second round, they breezed by Green River College 75-50 in a game where Lane’s defense thrived, getting 61 rebounds as a team.
In the Final Four game on March 15, they faced their most formidable opponent yet, Peninsula College, which Lane beat in overtime four months prior. Lane came out hot and the offensive bombardment lasted all night with all five starters for Lane reaching double-digit points. Leading to an 80-63 landslide win over a dominant program securing their spot in this year’s championship the next day.
They were slated to face Walla Walla College, who were the 1 seed in their East Region conference as well. The game did not go as planned for Lane as their lead slipped away in the second and from there they were playing catch but they did not have enough time dropping this one 58-65.
There are bright skies ahead for Lane as they won their fifth straight NWAC Southern Region Championship with the freshman getting experience they are poised to make a deep run next year.
Lane’s men’s basketball team finished the regular season 20-8 and clinched a playoff spot with the third seed in the South Conference. They faced Spokane College in the first round who was second seed in the East Conference. The game was extremely close the whole way and unfortunately ended on a buzzer-beater lay-up by Spokane losing 71-72 almost making their first elite eight since 2022.
They are saying goodbye to five sophomores, including Ben Thornbrue who was named NWAC South Conference Player of the Year. They have made an incredible turnaround since going 10-18 in 2023 all behind head coach C.J Edwards. They look to build upon this year and make another run at the playoffs.
To all the exiting sophomores Lane and The Torch wish you the best of luck in future endeavors. Forever Titans.
Lane Athletics is not over; the baseball season has just begun with the Titans 9-7 with their next game on Sunday, March 30, home against Southwestern Oregon. The track and field season has begun as well with the next meet being Saturday, March 29 at the Willamette Invitational at Willamette University. LCC students can show their student ID cards to get into any Lane athletics event and cheer on the Titans free of charge.
