Warriors pick up back-to-back conference wins
Bob Kirkpatrick/The Sun Tribune - Sergio Pineda drives to the hoop in the game against Kiona-Benton Friday night in Mattawa. Pineda finished with 15 points.
MATTAWA — Wahluke got past a determined Ki-Be Bears team at home Friday night, and then picked up a double-digit win over the Panthers in Kennewick Saturday to move to 7-3 in conference action and into a tie with Connell for second in the SCAC East standings.
Wahluke 49
Kiona-Benton 38
Ricky Cabrera pumped in 22 points, Sergio Pineda hit for 15 and the Warriors turned back the Bears in Mattawa. This one was a real nail biter for the first 16 minutes as the teams were knotted 12-12 at the end of the first quarter and 22-all at the half. Coach Clayton Buck was able to make a few tweaks to the game plan during the break and Wahluke outscored Ki-Be by 11 in the second half to come away with the win.
“It was a exciting game from start to finish with both teams fighting for spots to playoffs,” Buck said. “During halftime we made a couple adjustments to our defensive rotations in letting the boys know where the screens are coming from, and to help isolate the high post to slow down their options on offense. We stepped up our offense sets too and attacked more to the middle of the key, which helped set up our shooters for short range shots.”
Wahluke 56
River View 45
The Warriors were hitting on all cylinders in the first half of this SCAC matchup racing out to a 32-19 halftime lead. But team sputter in the third quarter and posted just six points on the board and let the Panthers back in it up 38-31 heading into the final 8 minutes of the game.
Wahluke got solid offensive efforts once again from Cabrera who led the Warriors with 24 points, and Pineda who knocked down 18.
Coach Buck needleless to say, was pleased with the outcome and the continued support of the Mattawa faithful.
“We started out fast pushing the ball up court, making our shots and stayed with our zone defense and picked up the pressure, which created a lot of good opportunities for open shots,” Buck said. “We are playing some good basketball and communicating well on the floor on both ends of the court. The seniors are stepping up to try and finish off the season strong, and we are getting awesome help from the underclassmen. I want to say thank you to all the Wahluke Warrior fans that have been coming to the games. It helps us get motivated to represent our town of Mattawa, our family and friends.”
The Warriors are back on the hardwood Friday night in Royal City and would like nothing more than to knock off the unbeaten Knights. Tipoff is 7:30.