Richland takes on Lewiston - By Colby Whitby
The Richland Bombers Girls Basketball team took a drive to nearby Lewiston to participate in the Avista Tournament held by the Lewiston Bengals on the last weekend of December. Participating teams such as the Lapwai Wildcats, Lewiston Bengals, and the Clarkston Bantams were all featured in the tournament, and the Bombers were set to play them all. But first up was the Clarkston Bantams.
The Bantams, who went 10-0 and won their district last season, were excited for a matchup against a solid Richland team coming off a state-run from last year. With a dominant offense, Clarkston was able to score almost 1,500 points last season, to 900 points allowed. Entering the tournament, the Bantams sit at 10-0 on the season after multiple out-of-conference matchups. Coached by Debbie and Patrick Sobotta, this would be the first real test for the Bombers just before the new year.
The Bombers started the game with senior Macie Milum, senior Kaya Chang, junior Mackenzie Schulz, senior Maya Rowe, and sophomore Kylee Kukes.
The game began with a Bomber win on the tipoff, but the Bantams would quickly strike with a mid-range shot falling after about 45 seconds. Schulz was speedy to respond with two points of her own. Clarkston was showing a full-court press, and it nearly worked out, but Kaya Chang found Macie Milum, who then found Kylee Kukes to sink a three-pointer to give the Bombers some momentum. They carried that momentum throughout the first quarter, maintaining a four-point lead going into the second quarter of the game.
As the game progressed, the Bombers seemed to lose their offensive efficiency, only scoring nine points to Clarkston’s 13. It was like there was a lid on the rim. Nothing the Bombers threw at the basket would go in, but it was the opposite for the Bantams. The girls went into the half with a scoreline of 28-25 in favor of the Bombers.
Coming out of halftime, there was a hope that the Bombers could turn it around offensively and extend their lead throughout the second half. The Bombers did the opposite, putting up only 2 points in the third quarter alone. The quarter started with Richland’s ball but missed a layup. Both teams could not score until the Clarkston offense made a layup around 2 minutes in. The Bomber offense could not get going, and it was also very pressured by the Clarkston defense. Nearly sending two girls to every ball, nobody on the Richland side could get the ball out fast enough. This proved crucial at the end of the game, as the Bantams would lock down the Bombers this quarter. Offensive struggles did not hinder the Bantams, as they had their best quarter with 18 points. This was where the game took a 180-degree turn in favor of the Bantams, and it was like the Bombers had shot themselves in the foot with this one.
The fourth quarter was quite different for the Bombers, putting up 17 points. Beginning with a Clarkston possession, the Bomber defense got the ball back quickly but then miscommunicated on offense to give the ball right back to the Bantams. The Richland Girls were efficient from the free throw line, and senior Maya Rowe was able to finish some key layups to help the girls on the attacking end of the floor. Unfortunately for the Bombers, offensive struggles would haunt them when the clock hit 0.0, as the Bantams ran away with a win. 60-47 was the final score from Lewiston High School.
If there was one thing to point out in this game, it would be how the Bombers disappeared on the offensive side of the ball during the middle two-quarters. A combined 11 points in two quarters can not get the job done. Mackenzie Schulz led the Bombers with 17 points, going 7 for 22 with three steals. Maya Rowe was next with 10 points and five rebounds. Only two players for the Bombers shot 50% from the field, and nobody else came close to 40%. The Bombers look to seek revenge and get a win versus the Lapwai Wildcats on the 29th. With a win, they would be playing for fourth place.
