Final Buzzer in Pasco: Storm’s Playoff Run Ends in Hard-Fought Battle
The 20-Win Standard: Storm’s Historic Campaign Ends in Playoff Battle
PASCO, Wash. — In sports, the finality of a postseason loss is a unique kind of sting. For the Chemeketa Storm (20-11), that sting arrived Friday night at Columbia Basin College. Facing a powerhouse Lower Columbia Red Devils squad (25-4) in the NWAC playoffs, the Storm fought through shooting woes and a physical interior battle before ultimately falling 70-54.
While the scoreboard signaled the end of the 2025-26 campaign, it didn't tell the full story of a team that refused to quit, outscoring the Red Devils in the final frame of their season.
The Breakdown: A Game of Cold Streaks
The opening ten minutes were a defensive chess match. Chemeketa trailed by just one point after the first quarter, 13-12, looking every bit like the team that notched 20 wins this year. However, the middle two quarters proved to be the difference-maker.
Lower Columbia's length inside—led by Shailoh Li'ili'i's 20 points and three blocks—began to take its toll. The Storm's shots, which had been falling all season, suddenly went cold. Chemeketa shot just 31.3% from the field and 20% from beyond the arc, making it difficult to bridge the gap as the Red Devils extended their lead to 19 by the end of the third.
Stat Leaders: Leaving it All on the Floor
Despite the shooting struggles, the Storm's core rotation put in a heroic effort. Patricia Mike and Ella Holwege combined for 33 points, relentlessly attacking the basket even when the Red Devils' defense collapsed the paint.
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | Performance Note |
| Patricia Mike | 17 | 7 | 0 | 2 | Led all Storm scorers with aggressive play. |
| Ella Holwege | 16 | 7 | 1 | 3 | Played a team-high 38 minutes of lockdown effort. |
| Mia Fullbright | 11 | 4 | 2 | 0 | Provided a spark and consistent free-throw shooting. |
| Ava Rubio | 4 | 5 | 5 | 1 | Masterfully facilitated the offense under pressure. |
The Interior Battle
The rebounding margin proved to be the statistical "elephant in the room." Lower Columbia utilized their height advantage to win the boards 48-35. Those extra possessions allowed the Red Devils to weather their own 18 turnovers—six more than the disciplined Storm committed.
A Season to Remember
Though the trophy won't be coming back to Salem this year, the 2025-26 season stands as a massive success for Chemeketa. Reaching the 20-win plateau and navigating a tough playoff bracket is no small feat. The Storm played with a "blue-collar" identity all year, characterized by the 10 steals and high-intensity defense they displayed even in their final minutes on the court.
The fourth-quarter resurgence, where Chemeketa outscored LCC 20-18, served as a fitting tribute to the seniors and the grit this roster has shown since November.
Photo Credit: The Athlete Studio Instagram: @TheAthlete_Studio