Undefeated Burbank WA boys are showing why they’re one of the state’s best 2B teams

Got a chance to see the Columbia-Burbank boys basketball team play for the first time this week when they visited Tri-Cities Prep on Tuesday night.

The matchup featured two of the best 2B teams in the state, with both squads a combined record of 22-0.

The two teams battled to a 42-42 tie through the first 16 minutes of the game.

“We attacked them on offense, and our defense was the difference,” said Coyotes coach Todd Schumacher. “Honestly at halftime, we had 42 points and so did they. They shot the ball so well.”

But then the Coyotes came out on fire, using their defense to befuddle the Jaguars offense into turnovers. And those turnovers turned into points.

Three minutes into the third quarter, Prep coach Mike Conner had to call a timeout after Burbank opened with a 10-0 run.

That didn’t stop the tidal wave of points. The Coyotes followed up with a 9-0 run (19-0 since the half), and Conner tried another timeout.

When it was all said and done, Burbank outscored Prep 26-2 in the third quarter. It was the difference in the game.

Tristan Frimodt had 10 of his 23 points in that quarter.

Quincy Scott led all scorers with 25 points, while Caden Ross added 19, and Elijah Kinsey had 10.

Blake’s McClure led the Jaguars, now 11-1 on the season, with 18 points. Bryson Wilde added 13, and Layne McClure had 11.

Conner said that you can’t make that many mistakes against a team of Burbank’s caliber.

“We just started turning over the ball, and the wheels came off,” said Conner. “After the game, I told our guys to just throw this one away. We’re a good team. We’ll take tomorrow off and then have practice on Thursday.

“They are the standard bearer in this league. But we’re a good team too.”

Conner is right on both counts. Prep is an outstanding team. But Burbank is among the top teams in the state.

Burbank is now 12-0 and hasn’t really been challenged for four quarters. On average, they beat their opponents by 39 points a game.

Their closest contests were a 13-point win at home over Northwest Christian of Colbert, 14 points at Selah, and 18 points over Wapato at the Yakima Valley SunDome.

How do the Coyotes stay primed for a run at the 2B state tournament without being really challenged for four quarters?

“We just try to play the right way,” said Schumacher.

That means applying a smothering defense that can turn into breakaway baskets; a good passing offense which spreads the ball around. And don’t let large opposing crowds affect you.

“We’ve been challenged four or five times this season,” said Schumacher. “We usually pull away in the final two minutes. This environment tonight, a full gym, was a nice environment for us.”

Scott referenced the Coyotes game at Selah, when Burbank started out in a 10-0 hole.

“We kept cool,” said Scott. “After a timeout, we came out and went on a 10-2 run.”

Scott, a junior, has been playing on the varsity since his freshman season. One thing, he says, is the Coyotes don’t panic when things get tough.

That was obvious in the third quarter on Tuesday.

“Honestly, this team we have now is almost like the ones we had our freshman and sophomore years,” he said. “We tell the younger guys now to don’t let the moment get to you.”

No matter how big it is.

The two teams will meet again on Jan. 30 at Burbank.

2B EWAC EAST BOYS

Updated through Jan. 9

Columbia-Burbank 4-0 EWAC, 12-0 overall

Tri-Cities Prep 2-1, 11-1

Warden 1-1, 4-9

River View 1-2, 5-8

WWVA 0-4, 2-9

Jan. 2 — Mac-Hi 63, WWVA 45; Riverside 72, River View 40

Jan. 4 — Tri-Cities Prep 89, WWVA 17

Jan. 5 — Columbia-Burbank 90, Warden 37; Umatilla 61, River View 37

Jan. 6 — Columbia-Burbank 74, Northwest Christian-Colbert 61

Jan. 9 — Columbia-Burbank 93, Tri-Cities Prep 61; River View 71, WWVA 55

Jan. 12 — River View at Warden, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 13 — River View at Columbia-Burbank, 7:30 p.m.; Tri-Cities Prep at Warden, 7:30 p.m.

2B EWAC EAST GIRLS

Updated through Jan. 9

Warden 2-0, 12-3

Columbia-Burbank 3-1 EWAC, 7-5 overall

Tri-Cities Prep 2-1, 8-4

WWVA 1-3, 4-6

River View 0-3, 1-12

Jan. 2 — Mac-Hi 51, WWVA 27; Riverside 52, River View 20

Jan. 4 — Tri-Cities Prep 52, WWVA 23

Jan. 5 — Umatilla 31, River View 23; Warden 62, Columbia-Burbank 37

Jan. 6 — Northwest Christian-Colbert 40, Columbia-Burbank 31

Jan. 9 — Columbia-Burbank 57, Tri-Cities Prep 47; WWVA 45, River View 33

Jan. 12 — River View at Warden, 6 p.m.

Jan. 13 — River View at Columbia-Burbank, 6 p.m.; Tri-Cities Prep at Warden, 6 p.m.

Notes

• Kamiakin senior Adelyn Mitchell has signed a letter of intent to run track and field for the University of Idaho next year. Mitchell is a sprinter, and she was named the Mid-Columbia Conference Track Athlete of the Year last spring as a junior.
• Joining Mitchell at the U of I next year will be current Hermiston senior Bradley Hottman, who signed a letter of intent back in November. Hottman is a top-level thrower in the discus, hammer and shot put.