A number of former Eastern Washington Eagles took home championship honors at Hoopfest 2019.
Two former Eagle Men’s Basketball players, Marc Axton and Parker Kelly, made history as part of the first team to win three straight titles in the men’s elite six-feet and over division. Their team, Lee & Hayes, topped “Bobby and the Boys” in the championship game Sunday. Helping them win was former Gonzaga wing Mike Hart, and Northwest Christian standout Robert Lippman who received his MSW from Eastern in 2013.
Axton and Kelly take home extra bragging rights for Eagle Nation, as they won against Montana forward Bobby Moorehead. The Griz record holder helped take Montana to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament just three months ago, after defeating Eastern in the Big Sky Conference Tournament championship game.
Two more ex-EWU hoopers, Ashli Payne and Tisha Phillips, took down a powerhouse team to win the women’s elite title. Their team, All Rez, had an impressive roster––also featuring former New Mexico State player Abby Scott and WNBA All Star Shoni Schimmel. All Rez knocked off ex-Zag star Janelle Bekkering’s YCC Canada, which was in the championship game for the third straight year.
And another repeat win for another Eag. Former EWU star Brianne Ryan won her fourth consecutive title with her team, Bamm, in the co-ed elite title game.
Congratulations to all of the Eagles who played and won at Hoopfest. Go Eags!
