Run Kano Can't Stop the Bombers - By Ethan Johnston

    Richland had a stellar win against the Kamiakin Braves with a 72-66 win in overtime. This win solidifies that the throne of the MCC still belongs to the Richland boys. But it didn't come easy for the Bombers.

    As the night is almost underway, you have 'Bunz Kano' on one side and Run Kano on the other. In the crackerbox of a gymnasium, Richland's crowd appears to have taken away the home-court advantage from the Braves.

Photo courtesy of Megan DeGraaf (RHS Yearbook).

    The competitions between these two schools are one of the MCC's biggest rivalries. Wearing their green and gold 'Bunz Kano' shirts to mock the home team, the Bombers crowd brought unmatched cheers. Dressed in their played-out red and black Run Kano shirts, Kamiakin's student body leaders would be seen desperately demanding their back row of students to help against the loud visit students. With the opening tip underway, immediately the Richland crowd starting to get riled up, getting loud and proud of their team. Both sides are quick to score, and a back-and-forth match will happen throughout the entire game. As many times before, this is a game that both schools look forward to every year because they are typically fighting for the top dog spot in the MCC. The nerves of this basketball game are very high and can be seen in many of the players coming off the Kamiakin bench.

Photo courtesy of Megan DeGraaf (RHS Yearbook).

    With 15 lead changes and nine times a tied score, the crowd's temperature was cooking. After the first quarter, we're tied up 14-14 with everyone on the edge of their seats, ready to lose their voice for their team. Both teams were on their 'A-game' for tonight's matchup. Throughout the first half and the game, Josh Woodard keeps giving the Bombers a well-needed spark. Zaevion Gladney seems to be the Brave's most impressive player as he is able to score at the post, mid-range, and add a three-pointer to his stats. Going into halftime, the score was 27-32 for the Braves. Richland, shooting 43.5% from the field, would be scoring more efficiently, but Kamiakin's 62.5% from beyond the arch was the difference maker. Kamiakin would score 24 points from the three-point mark. 

    As we come into the 3rd quarter, Richland would expose Kamiakin's loose ball handling skills. Richland would score 29 points on turnovers for the game. Kamiakin's Peter Dress would have five turnovers for the game, leading his team's 18 total turnovers. Richland would also have a sloppy turnover performance with 16 of their own, but their defense in the paint is what mattered the most. This would take us into an evenly-matched fourth quarter where it would be tied up at 62.

Photo courtesy of Megan DeGraaf (RHS Yearbook).

    As the tip-off of overtime starts, Kamiakin is quick to score, but Richland answers right back. Kamiakin will only be held to four points in OT. But the most memorable points of the 10 scored by the Bombers in OT would come from Jack Forbes. Forbes would seal the deal with 10 seconds left as he dunks over Javier Sideregts, putting a nail in the coffin.  Kamiakin fought hard to try and win this game, but the Bombers fought a little harder for the W. The Bombers definitely earned this victory as it was evenly matched on the board. Bombers will see this tough team again this season, and it will be one we will not want to miss. As we know, this will be a challenge, but we know as Bombers that we love a challenge and will fight for the win as hard as we need to or possibly can. 

    With the game-winning dunk, Kamiakin knew that they had lost the lead and they had lost their chances of winning the game. But the Bombers were ready to storm the court as the clock hit zero and the Bombers had officially won the game against Kamiakin. With the Bombers winning the game on Kamiakin's home court this was the biggest win for the Bombers. As the excitement of the Bombers student section gets going the Kamiakin student section looks down as this is the biggest loss for them. And being on the home court, they're even more disappointed for losing. But as always the rivalry will still continue into the following years as Richlands and Kimaikans rivalry has been going on for years. As the rivalry isn't just in basketball its also in soccer, football, and all other sports. This was a massive victory for the Bombers and its students. As we hope that we keep up the good playing and win again against the Braves.

Photo courtesy of Megan DeGraaf (RHS Yearbook).