Sunday, Feb. 01, 2009

Kamiakin boys shoot past Richland

By Jack Millikin, Herald staff writer

RICHLAND -- With all due respect to Montell Jordan, the Kamiakin boys basketball team was the one to show Richland:

This is how we do it.

The Braves capped their biggest weekend in recent history with a 71-65 win over the Bombers at Art Dawald Gym -- where they hadn't won since the last millennium -- and built up some much-needed momentum heading into the final 10 days of the regular season.

Kamiakin upset visiting West Valley on Friday night to knock the Rams into a tie for second place with Walla Walla in the CBBN Cascade Division.

The Braves (9-8, 4-5) shot lights-out in the second half, hitting 12 of 18 (67 percent) from the field and a blistering 17 of 18 (94 percent) from the free-throw line -- including 15-of-16 in the fourth quarter -- to erase a 36-26 halftime deficit.

"It's a reflection of all their hard work," said Kamiakin coach Brian Meneely, who couldn't recall the Braves' last win in Richland (for the record, it was Dec. 19, 2000 -- a 57-48 overtime triumph). "We went through a streak where we lost four in a row, but I told the kids you can't have emotional peaks and valleys. You can't let it bother you.

"One of the nice things is that now the kids are getting rewarded."

Shad Fletcher and Jeremy Rojas combined for 48 points to pace Kamiakin. Fletcher, who had 17 of his game-high 25 points in the second half, was one of the Braves' catalysts. The 5-foot-11 sophomore guard scored eight points in the second quarter to keep Kamiakin within striking range.

Fletcher then sparked a 14-5 run to begin the third quarter, hitting a 3-pointer to cut Richland's lead to 39-34 with 4:32 left and then converting a three-point play at the 2:20 mark to pull the Braves within 41-40.

"It wasn't just one player," said Fletcher, who added five rebounds and three steals. "We worked hard in practice this week. We were more prepared."

Richland got off to a strong start behind Calvin Douglas, who hit all seven of his shots in the first half for 14 points. But the 6-6 sophomore missed his first three shots in the second half, and when Douglas was sent to the free-throw line, he was ineffective (3-of-8).

"Everybody's frustrated and mad, but we've just got to flush this one and move on," Douglas said.

Kamiakin took the lead at 44-43 with 47 seconds left in the third after Case Rada hit a pair of free throws. Richland's Brett Jacobs hit a scoop shot in the lane to put the Bombers back up on the next possession, but Jeremy Rojas hit an elbow jumper with 2 seconds remaining in the third to put the Braves up 46-45.

Kamiakin started the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run and never trailed again. "This was huge for us," said Rojas, who finished with 23 points.

Jamison Rowe had a productive game for Richland, finishing with a game-high 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals. But the senior guard's enthusiastic play couldn't trump the Braves' unforgettable weekend.

"I made a mistake by not changing things up on defense more. That's not one I'll be very pleased with for a while," said Bombers coach Earl Streufert. "I told them we're still going to be the team nobody wants to play come playoff time."

KAMIAKIN (71)

Rojas 23, Rada 8, Shad Fletcher 25, Holle 5, Anderson 4, Hayfield 6, Jansen, En'Wezoh 4. Totals 23-42 18-21 71.

RICHLAND (65)

Rowe 6, Dunford 5, Brett Jacobs 19, Smith 6, Calvin Douglas 19, Radliff 5, McCargar 5, Hilty, Vedder. Totals 26-52 8-13 65.

Kamiakin 9 17 20 25 -- 71

Richland 17 19 9 20 -- 65

Highlights -- Rebounds: Rich 33, Kam 16; 3-pointers: Kam 7x13, Rich 5x16; Jamison Rowe 12 rebs, 4 assists, 3 steals; Douglas 8 rebs; Fletcher 5 rebs, 3 steals; Rojas 3x5 3 ptrs; .