CBSS boys squeak by Soap Lake

MOSES LAKE - Michael Northup iced two free throws with less than two seconds left on the clock to give the Columbia Basin Secondary School (CBSS) a 38-37 win over Soap Lake Friday night. The Eagles Jason Kornachuk got off a last second desperation shot that rimmed out as the buzzer sounded.

The victory on the Phoenix home court evened the teams record 4-4 in non-league play.

"That was a very exciting game," coach Rolland Hansen said. "This is what great basketball is all about ... loud enthusiastic crowds, full court presses, and last second shots"

The game was close throughout as Soap Lake opened up a 4-1 lead. But Phoenix tied the score 4-4 on a 3-point bucket by Harry Han with a little more than three minutes to go in the first quarter. The Eagles ran off the next six points to put Soap Lake up 10-4. Back-to-back buckets by Eric Curtiss and a free throw by Nortup closed the gap to 10-9 at the end of the first eight minutes of action.

A basket from behind the arc, and a steal and a fast break layup by Han to start the second quarter, gave CBSS a 14-10 lead to. But a 3-point bomb by the Eagles Alex Coreas kick-started an 8-2 run by Soap Lake to finish the first half of play with the visitors up 18-16.

The action was just as exciting in the second half of play as CBSS trailed by five at the end of the third quarter, but came back in the fourth to get within one point, 36-37 with just under two second to go in the game.

Nortrup was fouled as Soap Lake tried to get the ball back and stepped to the charity stripe and calmly sank both free throws to win the game.

"This was a very competitive game with both teams playing intense defense," Hansen said. "Neither team led by more than five points."

The come back win was especially gratifying Hansen said.

"We were finally able to come from behind with pressure defense and lots of desire after two tough losses on the road when we didn't play well in the third quarter," he said. "We forced numerous turnovers in the fourth quarter to put us in a position for the win. I'm proud of kids. They deserved it."

Eric Curtiss lead the scoring attack for the Phoenix with 19 points. Northup added 10, and Dong Qi Han finished with eight.

Jason Kornachuk had 32 points for the Eagles. Jordan Koralec added 17 and Anthony King finished with 12.

CBSS is back in action tonight when the team hosts Thorp at 7:30 p.m.