Warden boys hold off Wahluke in SCAC East action

WARDEN — Jack Hardman launched his 6-foot-5 frame high in the air to swat Wahluke guard David Ramirez’s shot, bringing the crowd to its feet as time ticked down. The Warriors chased down the loose ball, rotated it around to Logan Marlow on the wing, who buried the 3-pointer to let the Cougars know they were still scrapping all the way to the end.

But in the end, it was Warden holding serve, winning 63-56 at home during SCAC East action with Wahluke Friday night. The Cougars (6-7, 4-2 SCAC East) snapped a five-game losing streak against Kiona-Benton and made it two in a row with the win over Wahluke (6-8, 2-4 SCAC East).

The Cougars took control, breaking a 30-28 lead at the half wide open with a 10-2 run to start the second half. They extended it to 49-33 when Zach Richins drained a 3-point goal from the wing with 2.6 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The 6-3 senior missed the rare opportunity for a four-point play when he missed the free throw, but Warden took advantage of Wahluke’s five-point third period for the separation it needed.

“It was tough in the paint because they have some pretty big guys, so we all just crashed the boards,” Richins said. “We have a couple of players that score in the upper teens, but this team needs everybody to rebound and score.”

Dreyton Martinez knocked down four from 3-point range en route to a game-high 27 points for Warden, which outscored Wahluke 19-5 in the third quarter. Richins had 15 points and six rebounds and Jack Hardman finished with nine points 12 rebounds and two blocks.

“It was fun going up against (Wahluke junior Isaiah Perez). I think it’s a better game when you have a guy you matchup with down low,” said Hardman. “My game is whatever I can get off the offensive rebounds. They’re the bonus points, but posting up is the goal and do my scoring.”

The Warriors, who were without both Alex Valdez and Jesus Cisneros, cut it to 60-51 with free throws by Marlow with 1:15 remaining. They got it to 61-53 with 40 seconds left, but that’s as close as the Warriors could get down the stretch.

“It was fun going against (Hardman) tonight. I felt confident inside. I thought we played strong tonight,” said Perez, who finished up with 15 points and nine rebounds. “We just have to get back to passing the ball around and taking the open shot and we’ll be fine.”

Tanu Buck led the Warriors with 16 points. Perez and Marlow added 15 apiece for Wahluke, which is on a four-game losing streak.

Other south county results

East Valley 59, Othello 47 Box score O 12 8 15 12 — 47 EV 15 9 16 19 — 59

Othello: Jonathan Garza 10, Patrick Azevedo 9, Kai Quigley 9, Hilario Murillo 7, Frank Lopez 5, Jacob Suarez 5, Jaden Flores 2 East Valley: Jace Durand 21, Kaleb Thorson 12, Aiden Estill 10, Marckos Carrillo 8, Ryan Sullivan 8

Royal 88, Kiona-Benton 24

Saturday

Wahluke 63, Kiona-Benton 44