Phoenix get first win of the basketball season

THORP - A sigh of relief and a monkey off their backs couldn't have come soon enough.

The Columbia Basin Secondary School Phoenix completed that crucial double on Tuesday night when they dug deep for a 53-51 win at Thorp behind a 32 point performance by Kayleb Jensen.

CBSS (1-6, 1-2) broke into the win column but not before sweating things out.

The Phoenix trailed most of the game before taking a late lead.

"We trailed the whole game until midway through the fourth quarter and then we got on a roll," Phoenix head coach Rolland Hansen said. "In about three minutes we had a nine-point swing."

Leading 50-42 with less than three minutes left, the Phoenix had to brace themselves against a late Thorp storm, as they battled back.

A technical foul on the Phoenix and a late three-point shot provided the final margin as CBSS held on for the win.

"This is a big confidence boost for the team because we finally got one under our belt," Jensen said. "A lot of the new guys had never played basketball before, so this will give us some support and we should come out stronger. Now we know what it's like to win."

Jensen, who leads the Columbia Basin in scoring, averaging nearly 27 ppg, basked in his team's victory.

"The win for the team is the most important thing because they come first," Jensen said. "I do think I help a lot and try to inspire them, but I would trade all my points for a winning record right now."

Hansen believes this win could play a big role in their hoped for continued improvement.

"I think its big for our kids," Hansen said. "We had two close games and we couldn't get over the hump. It's good to know we can win a game like this. It's good for their confidence and their spirits."

Selah 57

EPHRATA 52

EPHRATA - A late run by the visiting Vikings of Selah was enough to keep the Ephrata Tigers out of the win column in a 57-52 win Tuesday night.

The two teams were tied at 50-50 before Ephrata (0-10, 0-8) couldn't connect late and Selah pulled away.

"They hit some shots down the stretch and we had some of ours rattle in and out," Ephrata head coach Brandon Evenson said. "It was a great effort by the boys."

Brad Christensen led Ephrata with 19 points and nine rebounds and Dylan Bentham added 12 points.

Prosser 56

OTHELLO 49

PROSSER - They played well enough to win but couldn't quite finish the deal.

The Othello Huskies battled to the wire against hosts Prosser Tuesday night but in the end could not overcome their hosts in a 56-49 loss.

"We played well enough to win but missed quite a few inside shots that allowed  Prosser to win the game," Othello head coach Pete Patitucchi said. "We got behind early. We played well in the third and fourth quarters but could not overcome the mistakes that we made."

Othello (3-5, 1-5) was led by David Garza's 18 points and Drew Scott added 10 points. 

Ellensburg 59

QUINCY 35

ELLENSBURG - A 33-18 halftime deficit was too much for the Quincy Jackrabbits as they fell 59-35 at Ellensburg on Tuesday night.

Quincy (4-5, 2-5) was led by Cody Behrens' seven points.