Warden lets double-digit lead slip against Wahluke
WARDEN — JR Delgado pulled his jersey over his face in an attempt to hide his frustration.
Down as much as 11 points in the fourth quarter, Wahluke had surged ahead by three points before Delgado stepped to the foul line with a chance to tie the game. The senior wing went 1-of-3 and the Warriors were able to rally to stun Warden 75-73.
The win clinched at least a share of the South Central Athletic Conference East league championship and a No. 1 district seed for Wahluke.
“They were able to get behind us, they were able to get some good looks and they got their momentum and confidence going,” head coach Wes Richins said. “They were able to get to the free throw line over and over again and we weren’t... It was a battle. Two of the best teams around and playing and it’s supposed to come down like this.
“They made a few more plays down the stretch and credit them. They hit some great shots down the stretch.”
After a hapless five-point second quarter, Wahluke exploded with 56 points in the second half and 34 points in the fourth quarter. The inefficient mid-range jumpers from the first half turned into transition baskets and set three-pointers that the Warrior shooters knocked down at an astounding clip.
Delgado tried to answer the barrage with 10 fourth-quarter points and 30 total, but the deep three-pointers that fell early in the game rimmed out late.
“We kind of abandoned the game-plan of what was working in the first half for us,” senior post Tanner Skone said.
Wahluke began the fourth with two straight outside shots to pull within six points before Delgado answered with a mid-range bank shot and a pull-up three-pointer.
The Warriors continued to push and eventually regained the lead after a pair of Abraham Olivares free throws — the team’s first since the opening quarter.
Sergio Pineda led the Warriors (11-2, 15-3) with 22 points — 13 coming in the fourth quarter.
Warden (10-3, 14-5) finishes its regular season against winless College Place today at 7:30 p.m. and still has an outside shot at a co-league championship if Wahluke is upset by Columbia.
Although both teams will be on opposite sides of the district bracket, there is still hope for a trilogy.
“One more game, hopefully,” Skone said. “Best two out of three.”
Score by quarters
Wahluke — 14 5 22 34 75
Warden — 19 16 17 21 73
Highlights
Warden — JR Delgado 30 points, 2 blocks; Adam Richins 29 points
Wahluke — Sergio Pineda 22 points
Girls basketball
Warden 49, Wahluke 36
WARDEN — Warden overcame a five-point halftime deficit and beat Wahluke for the second time in three days 49-36.
Bailey Whitney put the Cougars ahead for good after a steal and breakaway lay-up. Cassidy Turner and Ashlyn Yamane stretched the lead to seven points after back-to-back outside shots.
Warden closed the game on a 12-0 run.