Drake, Sheley Named NWAC Basketball Coaches of the Year After Championship Runs

VANCOUVER, Wash. - Green River's Godfrey Drake and Lane's Greg Sheley were selected as the NWAC Basketball Coaches of the Year, it was announced by the conference office on Thursday. The awards were voted on by the conference head coaches.

Godfrey Drake • Green River • Men's Basketball
In his seventh season as head coach, Drake took the Gators to new heights by leading them to their first-ever NWAC Men's Basketball title. It is the second-ever conference title for Green River men's basketball, with the only other championship coming in 1969 while members of the Washington Athletic Association of Community Colleges (WAACC).

Drake led Green River to a 27-6 overall record, ending the season on a 10-game winning streak including four wins at the NWAC tournament. The Gators did so by knocking off two region champions in Edmonds in the Elite 8 and Portland in the semifinals. They won their first three games each by at least 19 points. In the finals, the Gators outlasted Tacoma for the NWAC title, winning 69-61 in overtime.

Under Drake, the Gators ranked among the best in a large number of catories including first in personal fouls per game (14.0), third in points per game allowed (70.0), fourth in field goal percentage (48.9), fifth in three-point percentage (37.5), fifth in rebound margin per game (+4.9), sixth in points per game (85.8) and sixth in opponents field goal percentage (42.5). Drake also eclipsed 100 coaching wins with the Gators earlier during the historic season.

Greg Sheley • Lane • Women's Basketball
Sheley led the Titans to the second of back-to-back NWAC Women's Basketball titles this year and seventh all-time for Lane. All seven titles have come under Sheley since 2006. Sheley leads the NWAC all-time with seven NWAC Women's Basketball titles, now three more than second place.

The Titans also become the first team to win back-to-back championships since they did so during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, both under Sheley. This year, the Titans once again eclipsed 30 wins, finishing with a 30-2 overall record while winning the South Region with a 14-2 record. They finished the season on a 13-game winning streak.

Under Sheley, the Titans were an offensive force ranking first in total points scored (2,519), first in three-point percentage (33.8), first in assists per game (16.1), second in points per game (78.7) and third in field goal percentage (43.4). They also ranked fourth in opponents' field goal percentage (33.4) and 10th in points per game allowed (58.9).

Both Drake and Sheley will be invited to the NWAC Hall of Fame Banquet on May 30 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center in Tacoma, Washington, where they will be honored and receive their Coach of the Year plaques.

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