Class 2A Semifinal Wrap Up & Title Game Preview
We wrap up Friday’s state semifinals & preview Saturday’s state title game match up between Columbia Christian & Western Christian. Semifinals Wrap Up: Friday’s first semifinal game featured the 4th game of the year between Northwest League rivals…
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Continue ReadingWe wrap up Friday’s state semifinals & preview Saturday’s state title game match up between Columbia Christian & Western Christian.
Semifinals Wrap Up:
Friday’s first semifinal game featured the 4th game of the year between Northwest League rivals Columbia Christian & Knappa. The Loggers being the only 2A team to give Columbia a remotely competitive game this season. Any hopes of an upset were quickly put to rest as the Knights jumped out an 18-5 first quarter advantage and then used a 30-10 third quarter to put the game away, winning 81-41. Knappa was led by Timber Engblom, a 6’1 senior guard who finished with 15 points & 3 steals. As usual for Columbia, 6’9 sophomore Ben Gregg was his dominant self going 10/14 from the field on his way to a 27 point 11 rebound performance. However it was sophomore wing Elijah Munyan that got the Knights go in the first with his aggressive attacks to the basket on his way to an 18 point performance. The second semifinal match up looked like a blow out in the making as #2 Western Christian jumped out an early 13 point lead over #3 Toledo. The Boomers settled down, eventually getting the margin to two points in the third quarter before Western settled in, eventually winning 67-55. Offensively, the Pioneers were efficient, shooting 49% from the field while only committing 12 turnovers. Leading the way were senior guard Keaton Hull who went 10/12 at the line on his way to a 20 point night. Talented 6’4 junior wing Payton Richardson contributed a 20 point 10 rebound night, & point guard Johnny Williams dished out 7 assists. The Boomers who suffered their first loss to a 2A team were led by guard Mason McAlpine who knocked down five 3’s on his way to 15 points. 6’6 sophomore post Jaxon Rozewski scored 10 tough points to go along with 7 rebounds. The real story though was junior guard Conner Marchant, the state’s leading scorer who was held to 12 points & 6 assists. The most amazing part of Marchant’s stat line? Only 4 field goal attempts as Western did a great job of making every catch a tough for the smooth shooting lefty.
State Championship Preview:
The rematch that has seemingly been destined to happen since last March when Columbia Christian defeated Western Mennonite (now Christian) 65-61 behind a 23 point 19 rebound performance. Both teams returned the bulk of their roster & have been dominant this season against 2A competition. Neither team appears to have glaring weaknesses & most years both would be overwhelming favorites to win the blue trophy and cut down the nets. Both teams feature outstanding coaches & talented players, so at the end of the day, we are going to give the nod to the team with the best player & that is clearly Gregg. Each team features several players who will have the chance to play at the college level, but class 2A has never seen a player as talented as the Columbia sophomore & we believe that he will make enough plays down the stretch to help the Knights prevail in a game that should go down to the final possessions.