PREP BOYS BASKETBALL: CBS 57, LIBERTY BELL 51
MOSES LAKE - For the first time in over a month, Kayleb Jensen could look over to his team's bench and find someone to come in to give him a break.
Jensen, the junior guard for Columbia Basin Secondary School, has placed himself at the top of the Columbia Basin scoring charts mainly because he can flat out play but also because he has had to be on the floor for every second.
Literally.
Jensen and his Phoenix, having played a large portion of its schedule with just five players, received some welcome news last week with the addition of two players, one of which, Eric Curtis, was a key component to last year's squad that made a run at state.
With someone to help take a load off the five players on the court, the Phoenix found a way to win back-to-back games this weekend with a 57-51 win over Liberty Bell on Saturday which followed a 74-71 overtime North Central Washington 1B league win against Thorp the previous evening.
On Friday, Curtis and Jensen, reunited for the first time this season combined for 57 of the team's 74 points as the Phoenix (3-9, 3-5) completed the season sweep of Thorp.
Jensen finished with 32 points, five assists, and five steals, while Curtis added 25 points and 13 steals.
"It was a good game for Eric," Phoenix head coach Rolland Hansen said. "He came out a little jittery and had to sit out some with foul trouble. It was a very exciting game."
Josh Hensley came up big on the boards, grabbing 15 rebounds to lead the Phoenix.
Curtis became the first Phoenix player other than Jensen to lead the team in scoring the next day as CBSS held on against Liberty Bell. He finished with 26 points and four steals.
Not to be outdone, Jensen added 25 points, five assists, five rebounds, and five steals.
"The kids came in and looked a little tired but they manage to start out strong," Hansen said. "From there we just held on and never gave up the lead."
The Phoenix led by as much as 11 points in the first half before Liberty Bell cut the gap to two late.