PASCO, Wash. – The Lane Titans are once again NWAC Champions, defeating Green River 72-52 in the finals of the NWAC Women's Basketball Championship, presented by Sun Pacific Energy, on Sunday at Columbia Basin College.
The Titans (32-1, 15-1 South) finish an incredible season with just one loss to win the program's sixth NWAC title, the most in conference women's basketball history. All six titles have come under head coach Greg Sheley, dating back to their first championship in 2006. The Titans last won in 2016 and have won six of the last 16 championship tournaments.
Lane sophomore Bella Hamel was named the tournament MVP as she posted 17 points and eight rebounds in the championship game. Toni Coleman of Lane was the Most Inspirational player of the tournament as she had the incredible game-winning shot in overtime of the semifinals for the Titans.
After a hot start by the Gators who went ahead 7-0, Lane answered with a 21-point run of their own to lead 23-9 early in the second quarter. The Titans never looked back as they held at least a seven-point lead for the rest of the game, extending it out to 20 points in the second half.
Sophomore Sierra Scheppele hit some big shots down the stretch and led the team with 18 points, making all five free throws. Coleman had an all-around great game with 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while going 10-for-10 at the free-throw line as she was named to the First Team All-Tournament. Chloe Daniels had a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Scheppele and Daniels were each named Second Team All-Tournament.
The Gators (24-4, 11-1 West) continued to battle all game but could not find the big shot to pull them close as they went 3-for-20 from long range. Sadi Clemons led the team off the bench with 12 points. Saydee Anderson had 11 points and five rebounds and Janae Kalama finished with 10 points. Bayleigh Harder and Kalama were named to the First Team All-Tournament for the Gators while Anderson was selected to the Second Team.
Led by head coach Karim McDonald, the Gators enjoyed a resurgent season that featured their first tournament appearance since 2004. The Gators not only won the West Region and earned a trip to Pasco, they took the tournament by storm by finishing as the runners-up.
Women's All-Tournament Team
MVP: Bella Hamel, Lane
Most Inspirational: Toni Coleman, Lane
First Team
Toni Coleman, Lane
Bayleigh Harder, Green River
Janae Kalama, Green River
Ituau Tuisaula, Peninsula
Trinidie Nichols, Columbia Basin
Second Team
Saydee Anderson, Green River
Chloe Daniels, Lane
Lexie Heath, Columbia Basin
Sierra Scheppele, Lane
Chasity Selden, Peninsula