Wahluke's season ends with loss to King's Way Christian

YAKIMA — The longest postseason run in Wahluke Boys Basketball history came to an earlier than expected end with a 71-67 loss to King’s Way Christian in regional action of the Hardwood Classic at Eisenhower High School Saturday. But it wasn’t for lack of effort.

“It was a battle back and forth the entire way,” coach Clayton Buck said. “The boys played with intensity and determination. We worked hard on defense and contained their 3-point shooters. We were attacking the hoop and hitting our open shots and moving the ball against their press and traps.”

Senior Ricky Cabrera led the Warrior attack with 31 points. Fellow senior Sergio Pineda added 19. Alex Valdez finished with 9. The King’s Way Knights Kobi Cason knocked down a game-high 35 points.

Despite the early exit, Buck said the season was a big success.

“It was awesome. We wanted a chance to play to go to state and we succeeded,” he said. “The last couple of seasons has shown the hard work during the off season the team has put in. The guys have learned to work together as a team and have treated each other like family — like a group of brothers. They’ve learned a style of basketball that promotes faith, family and trust. Attitude and effort are the two things that you can control in any situation and that is what we preach everyday in practice.”

Another huge lesson the team learned this season Buck said is, “no matter who you are and where you come from anything is possible.”

“Dream big,” Buck said. “And we did and we were able to accomplish great things with the town of Mattawa and all the Wahluke Warrior fans behind us — the cheerleaders and stunt squad rooting us on and the band playing some great tunes during warm-ups. As coaches we say thanks for the ride — it’s been an awesome last couple of seasons.”