February 28, 2025 – OLYMPIA, Wash., South Puget Sound Community College’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams have qualified for the NWAC Basketball Championships in Pasco, Wash. The tournament will be hosted at Columbia Basin College’s Holden Court from March 5-9 for the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games and March 15-16 for the Final Four and Championship games.
“I’m glad the hard work for both teams is paying off,” said SPSCC Athletic Director Vernell Willingham. “It’s nice to see the continuing fight to grow and compete at a high level, and to give each program a chance to not only get to the championships but possibly go deep in the championships.”
The Clipper Men’s Basketball program had their best season in over five years, finishing the season with a 23-6 record overall and 12-2 record in regional play. The men’s team clinched a share of the West Region title, alongside Lower Columbia College, and locked up the #2 seed in their region. They will face-off against the #3 seed from the North Region, Edmonds College, on Saturday, March 8 at 10 a.m. PST.
Meanwhile, the Clipper Women’s Basketball team had a bounce back year after missing the playoffs last season. The Lady Clippers ended the regular season with 20 wins, the first time that has been accomplished by the women’s program in 25 years. With an overall record of 20-8 and region record of 9-3, the women’s team clinched the #3 seed in the West Region and will take on the #2 seed from the East in Big Bend Community College on Wednesday March 5 at 2 p.m. PST.
“It’s really exciting to be back at the tournament,” said Head Coach of the Women’s Basketball team Darah Vining. “We have seen Big Bend; they are a great team. We [beat them before] in Skagit and, being able to play a team that we’ve already faced, I’m hoping we can prepare better for our first opponent at the tournament.”
Tickets for the NWAC Basketball Championship games are available to purchase online. Also, the games will be broadcasted through the NWAC Sports Network website. The Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games will be $14 per game and the Final Four and Championship games will be $16 per game. The NWAC Sports Network also offers a Broadcast Tournament Pass for $35 to access all 15 games for each men’s and women’s tournament.
For more information about Clipper Athletics, be sure to visit www.spsccathletics.com.