Mount Vernon, WA —
The Skagit Valley College men’s basketball team, led by head coach Carl Howell, captured the 2026 Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) championship, finishing the season with a 30-3 record. The title marks the program’s first since 1988 and the fifth in school history, coming during SVC’s centennial year.
The Cardinals’ previous championships were in 1950, 1959, 1984, and 1988.
The title also marked a significant milestone for Howell, who surpassed 500 career victories this season. Howell, who took over the Cardinals program in 2019, has built one of the most accomplished coaching careers in NWAC history. He has now won three NWAC championships, previously leading Tacoma Community College to titles in 2002 and 2012. He joins Cliff Wagner of Clackamas Community College as one of the few coaches in the modern NWAC era (since 1984) to win three championships.
Over his career, Howell has led teams to seven NWAC Final Four appearances and eight region championships and has been named NWAC Coach of the Year nine times.
“I am so proud of our guys,” Howell said. “Our energy and effort were the best they’ve been all season, and we just grinded it out. Personally, it’s a special moment to bring a NWAC title back to my alma mater.”
Tournament run
The Cardinals dominated throughout the NWAC Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament.
Skagit Valley opened with a 91-58 victory over Columbia Basin College, setting the tone defensively with 14 steals and seven blocks while holding the Hawks to 32% shooting. The Cardinals shot 59.3% from the field and began the game with a 23-0 run, maintaining a lead of at least 20 points throughout.
In the quarterfinals, Skagit Valley defeated Centralia College 91-52, again controlling the game defensively with eight blocks and nine steals while limiting the Trailblazers to 38.6% shooting.
“Coach Carl guided a remarkable group of student-athletes to our college’s fifth NWAC men’s basketball championship,” said Mitch Freeman, SVC athletic director. “We are incredibly proud of how they competed all season — they were champions both on and off the court.”
Final Four
The Cardinals advanced to the Final Four and defeated Edmonds College 92-73 to reach the championship game for the first time since 1992. After leading 39-30 at halftime, Skagit Valley scored 53 second-half points to complete a three-game season sweep of Edmonds.
Championship game
Skagit Valley secured the title with a 77-72 victory over Lower Columbia College.
Malcolm Clark led the Cardinals with 23 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks. Jerry Petty Jr. added 19 points, while Treyshawn Weatherspoon contributed 16 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. Bennett Howe finished with 13 points.
Tournament honors
Weatherspoon was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and Clark earned Most Inspirational honors. Petty was selected to the All-Tournament First Team, while Clark and Howe were named to the All-Tournament Second Team.
Championship celebration
SVC Athletics will host a public celebration honoring the team:
2026 NWAC Men’s Basketball Championship Celebration
When: 3 p.m., Tuesday, April 7
Where: Dave DuVall Pavilion, Mount Vernon campus
The event will include remarks from college leadership, Howell and student-athletes, along with the unveiling of the 2026 NWAC championship banner.
For more information about SVC athletics, visit athletics.skagit.edu.
Media Contact Info
Marisa Pierce, Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications
360.416.7957
marisa.pierce@skagit.edu