2024 NWAC Hall of Fame Inductee: 2003-04 Lower Columbia Men's Basketball Team

VANCOUVER, Wash. - The NWAC Hall of Fame Class of 2024 has seven total inductees. The seventh overall and second team inductee highlighted is the 2003-04 Lower Columbia men's basketball team.

The 2003-04 Lower Columbia College men's basketball team broke a 50-year championship drought for the Red Devils, going 26-5 and capturing the crown with a 73-68 double overtime victory over Mt. Hood at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, Washington. The Red Devils went 4-0 in the tournament with victories over Skagit Valley College, Chemeketa Community College, Peninsula College, and Mt. Hood Community College. 

The Devils were led by head coach Jim Roffler and assistant coach Roosevelt Smith Jr. Point guard Chris Bannish piloted a talented, versatile squad which featured the inside-outside talents of Steven Trotter, thundering big man Bryan Freshwaster, fellow big forward Brett Tompkins, defensive stalwart Doug Dietz and super reserve Keith Nelson. Tompkins went on to become a surgeon in California, reserve Mike Fourtner became a TV celebrity with the Deadliest Catch. Tompkins, Trotter, Trevor Person, and Jason Buffum would also be members of the 2004-2005 Red Devil team that won the second of back-to-back NWAC championships.

Read more about the Red Devils men's basketball team, get your tickets to the induction ceremony taking place on May 30th starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center in Tacoma, Washington, and find more details at: https://nwacsports.org/halloffame.  

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