Excitement Builds for Playoff-Ready Bombers - By Kurtis Farley
On Thursday night, Lewis and Clark made the travel down to Art Dawald Gymnasium to take on the bombers. Bombers coming off of a 20-0 winning streak, aim to use their momentum to take down the 4-17 Tigers. With the start of the 4A District 6 tournament underway, the Bombers came in with not only optimism but a chip on their shoulders after the crushing loss in the state final against Mount Si last year.
 |
| Photo: @reardonproductions |
Before the game, junior guard Josiah Scacco let us in on the secret to his team’s success and his outlook on the incoming games. He stated, “ We know we are great, and it's really just leaving it all on the court. Playing our hearts out and keeping our momentum going are what drive the whole team. There is always a harder team to play, and we never think about the possibility of losing, I think that is what separates us from our opponents.” Scacco, who has been a consistent starter for the Bombers, knows his team has what it takes to win it all this year, which is to win the state championship. The bombers this season have proven themselves plenty, and the hype is justified for this bombshell of a squad.
The game starts with Richland winning the tip-off. After a scoreless possession, the Tigers will put points on the board first. The next possession for the Bombers ends with a hard foul by Rio Guthmueller as junior Landen Northrop drives to the basket. Soon after the first points, the Bombers start to catch their rhythm, and by the 4-minute mark, it is 11-7, and the Bombers lead. 7 minutes into the first quarter, the Tigers find themselves in foul trouble, giving the Bombers the bonus. Nearing the end of the first quarter, junior Lance Hornvendt for the Bombers has 12 points. Tigers’ guard Porter Pearson leads his team in scoring with 8 points at the end of the first quarter.
 |
| Photo: @reardonproductions |
As the second quarter rolls in, the bombers inbound from half court, Lance brings the ball up and goes up for the shot, and junior Braylon Edwards rebounds the ball and is fouled. Lance receives the ball again, but he is called for a travel as he drives. 3 possessions later, and Northrop is the first to score in the 2nd quarter as he is fouled. Lions’ Porter Pearson drives into the basket for the Lions' first quarter score at the 6-minute mark. At the end of the first half, it is 38-23, with the Bombers leading. An interesting lineup decision that contrasts the two teams is that the Streufert-led bombers have only had 7 players in the rotation so far in the game, while the Tigers, coached by Jase Wambold, have rotated in 10 players. During halftime, Colin Harrington, the Bombers student section leader, stated his experience in witnessing the Bombers' success, “I am super confident in our team, and their chances in winning their district and coming to every game and watching these guys play, they all know each other really well and you can tell the chemistry is all there, it’s all homegrown.” He was also asked about the importance of school spirit in big games like this, “For the district games, I think it is super important that we show up and we take a lot of pride in our sports. We get the players going, and they get us going. It’s a constant back and forth, and that’s what makes the game even more entertaining.”
 |
| Photo: @reardonproductions |
As the second half begins, junior Sylen Kiesel-Kauhane is able to scoop it into the hoop for an easy 2, regaining that rhythm they had in the first half. The Tigers, who are behind 15, haven't been efficient from three, shooting 2/10 from beyond the arc, and turnover struggles have kept them from a competitive game. Foul trouble reaches the Bombers as the Lions gain the bonus, but it is no aid to the Tigers as the lead starts to grow, and by the end of the 3rd quarter, it is 58-39, Bombers lead. Lance Hornvendt is still leading the bombers with 22 points and Lions Porter Pearson with 11, followed closely by Tigers KJ Kinkade with 10 points. Stepping into the final quarter, Northrop cuts to the basket for an easy dunk. The energy from the Tigers Bench has now started to fade as Northrop’s dunk energized his team and the crowd. The Bombers and Tigers go back and forth as the score builds, #34 for the Tigers, Angus Gehn goes on a tear trying to salvage most of the closing minutes. As the buzzer sounds, the Bombers prevail 86-61, closing out on the entertaining opening of the district tournament.
 |
| Photo: @reardonproductions |
For the Bomber squad, it is just another victory to add to the total, but Lance Hornvendt put on a show with 32 points and converted 11 out of his 14 free throws. Now 21-0, with MCC Champions under their name already, the Bombers have only just started.
