RICHLAND — Following in the footsteps of an all-state guard can't be easy for Kamiakin's starting backcourt trio of Cooper Clyde, Cody Wilmoth and Javan Williams.
But if they continue their current level of play, those three will be giving their raucous but lovable fan base even more reasons to cheer instead of lamenting the loss of Case Rada, now a redshirt freshman at Boise State.
"It's tough to follow in someone's footsteps. We just do what we have to do," said Clyde, who led all scorers with 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting. The 6-foot-1 junior drained three of four from the 3-point line and added three steals.
"This is a fun team. Everybody plays together so well," he said.
Clyde, Williams and Wilmoth combined for 30 points and just five turnovers for the Braves during an impressive 77-49 win over Richland at Art Dawald Gymnasium.
Kamiakin (4-0) also shot 60 percent (29-of-48) from the field, including 7-of-14 from the 3-point line.
"We shot it well tonight. Anytime you can shoot that well in somebody else's place, you're going to do well," Braves coach Brian Meneely said. "I was really happy with how we defended."
Richland (2-2) struggled from the field in the first half, shooting just 19 percent (5-for-26). Meanwhile, Kamiakin used their tandem of Zach En'Wezoh and Justin Pedley to establish themselves inside. They combined for seven points and seven rebounds inside the first three minutes as the Braves opened up a 9-3 lead.
"We came out kind of lazy. We were on our heels the entire first half. That's not the way we play," said Bombers guard Adam Baker, who led Richland with 11 points. "I think if we played again, it would be much closer."
That's not hard to imagine, considering that at one point the Braves led by 30 points, taking a 59-29 lead into the locker room at halftime.
"We had a nice crowd. The student section was awesome. We didn't hold up our end of the bargain," Richland coach Earl Streufert said. "It was a lesson on both ends: If you're selfish on offense, and play with no passion on defense, you're not going to win.
"That lesson is a lot easier to learn in a nonleague game."
The Bombers didn't have an answer for En'Wezoh and Pedley. En'Wezoh got the Braves' student section howling when he pivoted inside off an entry pass from Williams and swooped in for a one-handed dunk that made it 25-11 with 5:58 left in the second quarter.
"Dunks always get me going," said En'Wezoh, who was ready to power another one down in the second half but was fouled before he could complete the play.
Pedley and En'Wezoh scored 13 points apiece. Pedley added 10 rebounds and four assists, while En'Wezoh had eight rebounds and blocked two shots.
The Bombers shot better in the second half, hitting 44 percent (12-of-27), but by then it was too late. Payton Radliff and Baker each hit 3-pointers during a 13-2 fourth quarter run to open the fourth quarter, but that only cut the Braves' lead to 61-42.
"(Kamiakin) played good. They've got a lot of weapons," Streufert said. "I like Wilmoth. I think he controlled the game, and Clyde played good, too. If their guards can play like that the rest of the season, they'll be pretty dangerous."
KAMIAKIN -- Cooper Clyde 14, Wilmoth 9, Williams 7, En'Wezoh 13, Pedley 13, Shoop 2, Crandall 3, Quinn 8, Hunt 8. Totals 29-48 12-19 77.
RICHLAND -- Turner 3, Adam Baker 11, Radliff 8, Streufert 7, Quick 6, Fuller 7, Eiden 1, Malone 4, Wheeler 2. Totals 17-53 8-17 49.
Kamiakin 16 20 23 18 -- 77
Richland 8 5 17 19 -- 49
Highlights -- Rebounds: K 36 (Pedley 10), R 27 (Streufert 5); 3-pointers: K 7-14 (Cooper Clyde 3), R 7-25 (Baker 3); Turnovers: K 14, R 11; Clyde 3 steals; Wilmoth 3 assists; Quick 3 assists, 4 rebounds.
