Jacks defeat Cashmere 70-49, win third straight CTL title

QUINCY — The accomplishments just kept coming for the Quincy Jackrabbits during Thursday’s senior night 70-49 win over Cashmere.

While the win improved the Jacks to 9-2 in the Caribou Trail League, Quincy clinched its third-straight CTL title with the win over the Bulldogs. In the third quarter, senior Julian Ibarra became the second Jackrabbit to cross the 1,000 career point threshold this season.

“We just had to win one more, so now we’re two games up on (Chelan),” Quincy head coach Scott Bierlink said. “Three league titles in a row for us — Aidan Bews and Ethan Gregg have been a part of all three of them — I don’t know the last time that happened to Quincy. Maybe in the '60s or the '70s.”

The Jacks started fast — as they tend to do at home — and quickly went up 18-3 over the visiting Bulldogs by the end of the first quarter.

“We switched it up, played a little trapping defense there,” Bierlink said. “I told the guys, ‘It’s a packed house, the band’s playing. We should have some energy there.’ We’re undefeated at home, we seem to play really well at home. That’s been our M.O., we have jumped out to some early leads in these games.”

Quincy led 39-21 by the end of the first half, as Cashmere had used an 11-6 scoring run to get back into the game towards the end of the second quarter; the run closed when Ibarra connected on a three-pointer, which gave him his 14th point of the game.

“I thought tonight was probably our most complete game offensively, getting the past halfcourt with the pass,” Bierlink said. “We want to play fast, we want to try and score points.”

The Jacks opened the third quarter on a lob from Ibarra to senior Aidan Bews, as the Jacks were able to consistently hold their 20-plus point lead throughout the final 16 minutes of game time, eventually winning by 21.

While Quincy and Chelan can finish with the same record in CTL games this year, Quincy’s sweep of the Mountain Goats this winter gave them an edge on top of the league standings.

Sophomore Pierce Bierlink noted the team’s leadership as a key part of being able to win the CTL.

“It was definitely a lot of hard work and leadership from our guys,” Pierce said. “I want to thank Ethan Gregg, Julian Ibarra and Aidan Bews — they’ve been great leaders all year. I’ve really looked up to those guys, especially considering most of those guys have been playing varsity their entire life. The lessons they teach everybody, I just think they’re great leaders on and off the court.”

Quincy’s senior class was honored before their final home game of the regular season Thursday; seniors Dom Trevino, Jonathan Zaragoza, Alan Rivera, Francisco Latour, Ibarra, Bews and Gregg all walked across the court with family and friends.

“They’re a great group of guys, they love hanging out with each other,” Scott aid. “For them to say they’re a part of a three-time league champion (team), that’s pretty awesome. Now we’ve got to keep the ball rolling and move on to our next goal.”

“It’s a one-time opportunity that you get,” Ibarra said of the senior night win. “Enjoy it while you’re here; it’s precious.”

Ibarra scores 1,000th point

Ibarra entered the game 20 points shy of crossing the 1,000-point mark in his career, which had accumulated through his freshman and sophomore years at Omak before his junior and senior years with the Jackrabbits. After putting up 18 points through the first two-and-a-half quarters, passes from teammates frequently went Ibarra’s way as they knew he was close to reaching that mark.

“My teammates really helped me,” Ibarra said. “Once they found out I only needed (20 points), they kept trying to feed the ball to me. I was looking at the score, but couldn’t really tell I was there. My teammates were celebrating for me — I couldn’t have done this without my team.”

The senior’s 1,000th point came on a three-pointer in the third quarter, which turned out to be a four-point play after being fouled on the shot and connecting on the ensuing free throw attempt. Bews crossed the 1,000-point mark earlier this season Jan. 5 against Omak.

“Two in a year, that’s pretty special,” Scott said. “Julian moved here from Omak, and he’s just been dynamite. A great kid, a dynamite scorer with the ball in his hands. Well deserved; he puts a lot of time and effort into it.”

Bierlink named Athlete of the Week

Earlier, on Thursday, Pierce was one of 12 athletes from across the state to be named to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s Athlete of the Week list.

“It was definitely surprising — I didn’t even think I got nominated at first,” Pierce said. “My mom texted me sometime during the day, during school. I actually didn’t see it at first because I was taking a test, but I saw it and I was very ecstatic and blessed to get that honor.”

Bierlink scored 41 points in Quincy’s Jan. 16 win over Cascade (Leavenworth), dishing out eight assists and grabbing five rebounds. The sophomore converted on 11 three-point attempts, the second most in a single game in program history.

“At first I missed a couple shots, and after I made my first shot I just knew it was my day,” Pierce said. “I kept shooting, and it just kept falling in.”

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.

Box score

CSH: 3-18-14-14 49
QCY: 18-21-21-10 70

    Quincy senior Julian Ibarra smiles for photos after the Jackrabbits defeated Cashmere Thursday night. Ibarra scored his 1,000th career point during the third quarter.
  

    Quincy senior Aidan Bews, in white, scored 15 points in Thursday’s win over Cashmere.
  

    Quincy players celebrate after defeating Cashmere 70-49 Thursday night, winning their third straight Caribou Trail League title.