Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009

Richland defense difference in win over Wa-Hi (w/ video)

By Kevin Anthony, Herald staff writer

The game was about what you would expect between Richland and Walla Walla, a couple of sycamores in the log jam that is the top of the CBBN Cascade standings.

The finish to Friday night's 48-46 Bombers' win, though, was about as likely as getting sap from petrified wood.

Up one with 27.7 seconds to play at Art Dawald Gym, Walla Walla was certain to close this one out.

It wasn't just that the Blue Devils had possession, but they have on their side Gary Winston, a shake-and-bake guard and perhaps the best closer in the league who had scored eight of his game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter. He was on a personal six-point run for Walla Walla and could seemingly get a look at the basket at his leisure.

But rather than getting the ball to Winston, the Blue Devils instead fell victim to heavy defensive pressure and turned the ball over on consecutive possessions. That allowed Calvin Douglas' putback at 17.3 seconds to stand up as the deciding score.

"We knew it would be close; they're a great team," said senior forward Clint Smith, who also scored eight of his 20 points in the fourth quarter for Richland (9-2, 4-1), which broke a three-way tie with Walla Walla (10-3, 3-2) and idle West Valley (9-2, 3-1) for sole possession of second place after winning its fifth straight.

The Bombers play at West Valley tonight, while the Blue Devils and Rams square off Tuesday.

Smith opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer to ignite a 7-0 run that led to the Bombers' first lead of the game.

It was a one-possession game the rest of the way.

Richland trailed 46-45 and had possession in the final 30 seconds when the Bombers were whistled for carrying the ball. But Walla Walla didn't get a clean inbound on the ensuing possession, and Hayden Hilty came up with a big steal at midcourt.

Smith immediately went to the basket but came up short against the double team, which left Douglas alone for a rebound and putback with 17.3 seconds left. It was the only score of the fourth quarter for Douglas, who finished with 15 points and 15 boards after missing the previous two games with an ankle injury.

"We didn't want to foul Winston," Smith said of the defensive play, "and Hayden did a great job with the steal."

The Blue Devils had trouble getting the ball up the court on the next possession, calling their last timeout with 9.2 seconds left. With Winston being blanketed by Jamison Rowe, Walla Walla inbounded the ball to Mac Richards.

Richards and Derik Heitzmann were outstanding all night shadowing Richland's Brett Jacobs, limited to six points and five shots after averaging 16 points his last four games. But on the deciding play, Richards' pass to Winston near the sideline at midcourt came just as Winston cut out of the area. Richards was left with no choice but to chase down his own pass and get called for traveling.

"I was real surprised," Winston said of his team not getting a single look at the basket during two key possessions. "I just wanted to get to the free-throw line, but it didn't happen tonight."

Jacobs was fouled with 3.2 seconds left, hitting the first of two free throws and leaving Walla Walla with only a full-court heave at the buzzer.

"We got a couple of turnovers when we needed," said Richland coach Earl Streufert. "We persevered."

WALLA WALLA (46)

Gary Winston 21, Richards 2, Hessler, Weisner 9, Arias 8, Heitzmann 3, Clothier, James 3. Totals 18-43 5-7 46.

RICHLAND (48)

Clint Smith 20, Jacobs 6, Rowe 2, Hilty 2, Douglas 15, McCargar, Dunford, Vedder 3. Totals 16-45 14-24 48.

Walla Walla 18 11 7 10 -- 46

Richland 11 12 10 15 -- 48

Highlights -- Winston 6 asts, 2 stls; Calvin Douglas 15 rebs; Jamison Rowe 5 asts, 2 stls.