Evergreen earns historic trip to basketball tourney

First appearance at national athletic tournament begins March 6

THE OLYMPIAN

The Evergreen State College has qualified for its first-ever appearance at a national tournament in athletics.

The Geoducks defeated Northwest College of Kirkland 103-90 Friday night in men's basketball to qualify for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division II tournament next month in Missouri.

"We clinched it," Evergreen coach John Barbee said. "We've got some seniors who have gone through the hard times. That just makes this that much sweeter."

NAIA Division II covers 186 schools and features a 32-team, single-elimination tournament March 6-12 at The College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, south of Springfield, Mo.

The Geoducks earned the tournament berth by winning the Cascade Collegiate Conference title. The conference includes 10 schools in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

Evergreen athletic director Dave Weber feels Barbee's coaching, the school's reputation for providing a good education for students cheaper than some private schools in the conference, and having good athletic facilities have helped lure talented athletes and turn the fifth-year basketball program into a success.

"We've always had in the back of our minds that we are set up to succeed here," Weber said. "It just kind of all came together maybe just a little quicker than we thought."

Evergreen was ranked No. 6 this week in the national NAIA poll. Evangel College of Missouri is ranked No. 1.

Evergreen, 21-5, will be home for a nonconference game at 5 p.m. Sunday against Walla Walla College.

After the game, fans can get autographs and photos taken with Evergreen players.

Evergreen also will play host to all games it plays in the single-elimination conference tournament beginning Feb. 20. Wins in that tournament would likely help the Geoducks hold their seeding position for the national tourney, Weber said.

On the Web:

- The Evergreen State College

For more sports stories go to the Local Sports section.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

back to main Home Page Stories index