Simon says win

YAKIMA — He’s been here before and liked his first visit so much he wanted to make sure this newest one would be just as sweet.

So says Patrick Simon, the 6-foot-8 senior who led the Ephrata Tigers basketball team to a state title in 2008 and is now two wins away from doing it again.

Simon scored 21 resounding points, including seven during a pivotal second quarter stretch to boost the Tigers (22-2) to a 62-43 win over West Valley (Spokane) last night in a 2A State Quarterfinal at the Sundome.

That means Simon, who missed all of last season with an injury, is two wins away from repeating the feat of bringing home a title.

Ephrata will play in a 7:30 p.m. semifinal tonight against either defending champions Squalicum (23-1) or Mark Morris (21-3) in a one 2A semifinal.

Burlington-Edison (21-4) and Lynden (21-5) lock horns in the other semifinal.

“It would mean everything for all the things we worked toward these past years,” Simon said. “We deserve to play for another title for all the hard work we put in. I haven’t shot great the last couple games but I  got hot a little bit and rolled with it.”

West Valley (16-9) hung tough early with Ephrata, taking an 8-7 lead on a Jake Buchholz three-pointer.

But a Simon jumper, a Bryce Todd layup, and two free throws by Sam Scheelke bumped the Tigers up 13-8 at the end of the quarter.

After West Valley scored the second quarter’s first basket, Simon hit two free throws, a jumper, and a three-point shot, to spearhead a 9-0 run that put them up 22-10.

“I think he can dominate when he wants to,” Tigers coach Brandon Evenson said. “He isn’t shooting that well right now, but he works hard and our others players really look to him to lead. I’m very happy he’s in our orange and black.”

A late West Valley run cut the deficit to 28-22 heading into the intermission.

In the third quarter West Valley hung around, even cutting the gap to 30-28 before Simon once again said enough was enough, hitting a lay-up and a three pointer to put the Tigers up by seven.

Then Mark Novik came up big with back-to-back layups and Ephrata was suddenly up 46-33 at the end of the quarter.

From there it was smooth sailing as the Tigers coasted to the win.

Simon also pulled down nine rebounds, while Ross Buchert contributed 10 points.

Todd’s pivotal play led to six assists while committing no turnovers.

Ephrata hit 23-for-54 shots while holding West Valley to 18-for-53. The Tigers won the rebounding battle 38-32 and forced 15 turnovers compared to their 11.