Richland boys topple Ferris, guaranteed state berth
The Richland High School boys basketball team is going back to the Tacoma Dome.
Cole Northrop scored 28 points on 7 of 12 3-point shooting, and for the third time in the past 2 years, the Bombers beat the Ferris Saxons in a postseason game, 84-79 on Saturday in the District 8 4A semifinals at Art Dawald Gymnasium.
Although Richland must still play in the district championship — at 7:30 p.m. Friday against the top-ranked Gonzaga Prep Bullpups — and in the regional round of state, the team is guaranteed a spot in at least the Round of 12 in Tacoma because of its RPI ranking, fourth among the state’s 4A teams as of Saturday night.
Both teams squaring off in the District 8 championship game will sport 22-0 records after G-Prep took down Chiawana 55-38 on Saturday.
The Bombers led for much of the second half, but the win was anything but comfortable because of the Saxons’ ability to shoot from outside, making 14 of 35 3-pointers on the night.
Although Ferris’ season scoring leader Shamrock Campbell was held in check by Ryan Wagar, finishing with just 10 points on 3 of 10 shooting, the Saxons had plenty in their rotation to fill the scoring void. Mike Ervin got hot late to lead the team with 23 points and Ryan Christy made 5 of 9 3-pointers off the bench to account for all of his scoring.
Marked well in the first half because of Ferris’ press and zone, Riley Sorn erupted after halftime to finish with 21 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.
The Saxons used some hot shooting to weather the home team’s momentum in the first half, and led 32-29 after a topsy-turvy opening 16 minutes. Richland made its adjustments and went on a 13-3 run over the first 2 1/2 minutes of the third quarter, and that proved to be enough to lead the rest of the way.
No. 6 Ferris (18-4) will host Lewis and Clark on Tuesday in the loser’s bracket semifinal.
FERRIS: Fleming 3, VanLierop 6, Damion Carter 13, Shamrock Campbell 10, Ryan Christy 15, Markham 9, Mike Ervin 23, Hammer. Totals: 28-63 14-35 79.
RICHLAND: Wagar 4, Cody Sanderson 15, Garrett Streufert 16, Mitchell, Cole Northrop 28, Riley Sorn 21. Totals: 28-56 9-20 84.
Ferris | 13 | 19 | 16 | 31 | — | 79 |
Richland | 15 | 14 | 26 | 29 | — | 84 |
Highlights — F, Campbell 7 reb; Christy 5x9 3pt; Ervin 8 reb, 6 ast. R, Ryan Wagar 4 ast, 4 stl; Streufert 8 reb, 5 ast; Northrop 7x12 3pt, 6 ast; Sorn 11 reb, 3 blk.
Dustin Brennan: 509-582-1413, @Tweet_By_Dustin
This story was originally published February 10, 2018 at 8:03 PM with the headline "Richland boys topple Ferris, guaranteed state berth."