Everett Seagulls Defeat Lynnwood Royals 57-48 in Playoff Showdown

Everett’s boys basketball team secured a crucial victory over Lynnwood, winning 57-48 in the District 1 3A Round of 12 on February 11, 2026. This win propels the Seagulls into the quarterfinals, showcasing their resilience despite facing a challenging season.

The matchup at Norm Lowery Gymnasium featured two teams with contrasting trajectories. Lynnwood, seeded No. 11, had battled through a tough season, starting with a 1-6 record. Their journey to this point included two hard-fought victories in the Wesco Crossover games, marking the program’s first district tournament berth since 2022. On the other hand, Everett, seeded No. 6, aimed to continue their winning momentum.

As the game unfolded, Lynnwood demonstrated their determination by launching a 9-0 run late in the first quarter, taking a 15-10 lead. Everett’s coach, Bobby Thompson, acknowledged the challenge posed by Lynnwood’s senior-laden squad. “That’s a senior-laden group that’s really achieved a lot by getting to this, and they were not going to give up,” Thompson stated.

A last-minute three-pointer by Everett senior Owen Brunni narrowed the gap to 15-13 as the first quarter concluded. The second quarter saw the Seagulls adjust their strategy, focusing on defense while sophomores Henry Selders and Noah Owens took charge offensively. They combined for all 15 of Everett’s points in the quarter, leading the team to a 28-22 halftime advantage.

Selders finished the game with an impressive 28 points and nine rebounds, while Owens contributed 18 points and eight rebounds. Their performances were critical, especially with the absence of freshman Gemini Jones, who was sidelined for the season due to an undisclosed injury. As the Seagulls adapted to his absence, they demonstrated growth and teamwork.

“We had to focus on our defensive side of the ball,” Owens said. “And make sure that we were rotating better and do what we were supposed to do, sticking to the game plan.”

Despite trailing by as little as three points in the third quarter, Lynnwood struggled to maintain pace with Everett’s scoring. Junior Cole Betancourt led the Royals with 14 points and five rebounds, while seniors Shan Shah and Hosny El-Aarag each added 10 points. El-Aarag also recorded three blocks, showcasing his defensive prowess.

Throughout the game, Betancourt and senior Jaikin Choy contributed significantly to Lynnwood’s offensive efforts, but the Seagulls maintained their composure. After falling behind early, Selders quickly tied the game and began to pull ahead.

Thompson praised the unique skills of his young players, particularly noting Owens as one of the best playmakers in the state for his age. “He’s just so unselfish, and he’s unbelievably quick,” Thompson remarked about Owens. Meanwhile, Selders has drawn comparisons to NBA star Nikola Jokic for his fundamental game and exceptional footwork.

Lynnwood’s efforts to rally fell short, despite a determined fight. Shah managed to cut the deficit late in the game, but Everett’s free-throw shooting and contributions from bench players, including freshman Micah O’Connell, who made impactful plays, secured the victory.

O’Connell, in just his second varsity game, earned praise for his understanding of the game plan. “He was just really wise beyond his years,” Thompson noted.

With this win, the Seagulls advance to face the No. 3 seed Snohomish in the quarterfinals. This marks Everett’s third consecutive season reaching this stage of the tournament, and the team is eager to make a deeper run this year.

As the young roster continues to grow, Selders expressed confidence in his team’s potential. “I feel like people underestimate us a lot because we got a lot of sophomores and freshmen. But I feel like we got a good shot.”