Defense leads the way as Kamiakin bests LC in gritty game

Timely defensive stops and rebounding allowed the Kamiakin High School boys basketball team to end a two-game losing skid on Saturday, as the Braves held on for a 52-46 win over visiting Lewis and Clark on Saturday night to conclude their preseason slate.

The Tigers (3-2) came in having won three in a row, with their only previous loss coming at the hands of defending MCC champion Richland.

“We scheduled it (the nonleague season) the way we did because we wanted to see some good competition,” said Kamiakin coach Brian Meneely, whose Braves went to 2-2 with the win. “We wanted to be in tough games where we had to learn and grow as a team.

“So it was mission accomplished. It would have been great to get some more wins along the way, but in the end, it’s our nonleague schedule, and we have to grow as a basketball team.”

After hitting just 1 of 10 3-pointers in a 57-55 loss to Davis on Friday, Garrett Paxton went 3 of 6 from long range (and 5 of 7 from the free-throw line) to lead Kamiakin with 14 points.

“It was nice,” Paxton said of the made shots. “I got in the gym this morning and talked with Meneely about it. He gave me a few pointers — he was a pretty good shooter back in his day. I just had to keep shooting, focus on it and know it was going to go in eventually.”

Paxton also had a game-high nine rebounds, but he said it was a full-team effort that allowed the Braves to win the boards 32-25.

“We were boarding up really well after forcing up some really tough shots,” Paxton said. “Jimmy Mohlman did a really good job, Champ (Garyson) did a really good job, Robert (Pischel). We all got in there and boxed them out and forced only one shot per possession.”

In addition to his five rebounds, Mohlman scored six points and nailed a couple of late free throws that put Kamiakin up 49-41 with 30 seconds to play. A layup by Payton Flynn the next time down opened that lead to 10 points and looked like it would clinch the win.

But LC’s Naje Smith had other plans. He drained a 3 on the opposite end with 11 seconds left and was fouled by Flynn, who also picked up a technical foul, presumably for arguing the call. Smith missed the and-1 free throw, but Griffin Effenberger hit both technical free throws to make it a five-point game with possession remaining with the Tigers

The Braves were able to get a hand on the inbound pass and Pischel came up with a steal and was fouled, splitting two free throws to put the game at its 52-46 final.

“It was nice to see the kids learn from a tough loss and show growth,” Meneely said. “Because that’s what you’re going to have to do once league comes. You’re going to have to be ready to be in those games.”

Lewis and Clark had not been held under 64 points prior to this game. Effenberger led all scorers with 18 points and added three steals, and Smith finished with 14 points on 6 of 10 shooting with seven boards.

Ethan Robinson knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and scored 12 points for Kamiakin.

ON APPEAL

Midway through the fourth quarter, with Kamiakin leading 42-39, the Braves air-balled a shot with 2 seconds left on the shot clock, and it was mistakenly reset. Paxton came down with the rebound and was fouled while putting up another attempt.

After a stoppage in play and some discussion between the officials, it was ruled that there would be no shot-clock violation — allowing Paxton to attempt and make both free throws — but that LC coach Jim Redmon could officially appeal the decision.

It’s unlikely the call will be overturned, considering there was no way to know whether the shot clock would have expired had it been reset.

UP NEXT

Lewis and Clark: Hosts Mead in GSL play at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Kamiakin: Begins MCC play with a home game against Southridge at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

This story was originally published December 9, 2017 at 10:59 PM with the headline "Defense leads the way as Kamiakin bests LC in gritty game."