Wahluke boys lead early, hang on to beat Connell

The Wahluke High School boys basketball team held off league opponent Connell High School in a close matchup Friday. Wahluke came out on top, 54-52.

In the first quarter of the home game, Wahluke built up a decent lead of 17-6 over Connell.

In the second quarter, Connell managed to slightly outscore Wahluke 14-11, bringing the halftime score to Wahluke 28, Connell 20.

Wahluke scored a total of 26 points to Connell’s 32 during the third and fourth quarters. Despite Connell putting up a good fight to catch up, Wahluke kept the lead and barely took the game.

“Great matchup in the SCAC (South Central Athletic Conference) East tonight,” Wahluke boys basketball stats keeper Alyssa Buck wrote in an email.

“Wahluke defense provided scoring opportunities that they were able to capitalize on. Connell shot well in the second half but Wahluke held the lead throughout the game and secured their first league win.” wrote Buck.

With the victory over Connell, Wahluke’s current record is 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the league.

Box score and scorers for the game:

Wahluke - 17 11 19 7 - 54

Connell - 6 14 20 12 - 52

Wahluke: Andrew Yorgesen 18, River Buck 16, Orland Nunez 15, M. Urritica 2, A. Ramos 2, O. Perez 1.

Connell: Jesus S. 18, Kaden L. 16, Cade C. 7, Jake D. 5, Jacob F. 4, Reikin T. 2

Earlier game

Wahluke battled Kittitas Secondary School on Dec. 14 at Wahluke. Wahluke won 56-40.

“Kittitas outscored Wahluke in the first half 21-16,” Buck wrote. “Full court pressure in the second half created scoring opportunities and Wahluke was able to get their first home game win that night.”

Box score and scorers for the game:

Wahluke - 2 14 18 22 - 56

Kittitas - 12 9 6 13 - 40

Wahluke: River Buck 15, Orlando Nunez 15, Andrew Yorgesen 14, M. Urrutia 5, O. Perez 3, C. Lugo 2, T. Mendoza 1, A. Ramos 1

Kittitas: M. Towner 13, C. Coles 11, J. Rosback 8, N. Varnum 4, D. Varnum 2, T. Bare 2.