Lynden locks down Greyhounds in State 2A boys hoops

YAKIMA – The Pullman Greyhounds were confident coming into the boys State 2A tournament that their defense could keep them in games.

But Thursday in the SunDome, the offense faltered as third-ranked Pullman fell to second-ranked Lynden 40-30 in a quarterfinal matchup.

“We just had a tough time putting the ball in the basket,” Greyhounds coach Craig Brantner said. “Some of it was their defense – they’re the best defensive team we’ve played this year – but some of it was just us.”

Lynden 40, Pullman 30: The Greyhounds shot just 26 percent from the floor in the first half and 30 percent for the game. Add in 15 turnovers and you have the recipe for a 23-10 halftime deficit and a reservation in the consolation bracket.

Austin Drake led Pullman with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Pullman made it close in the final period, outscoring the Lions 15-9.

“We did a better job of setting screens for our guys in the third and fourth quarters,” Brantner said. “The defense tonight was something we can hang our hat on.

“We held a good team to 40 points. Most games, that would be good enough to win.”

Clarkston 50, Burlington-Edison 41: Oregon State signee Jamie Weisner scored 20 points and pulled down 16 rebounds as the top-ranked Bantams powered into today’s semifinals of the girls State 2A tournament with a win over second-ranked Burlington-Edison.

A tight contest swung on Clarkston’s defensive effort between the final minute of the third quarter and the first 5 minutes of the fourth. The Bantams shut the Tigers out over that stretch, taking a 40-31 lead. Clarkston led for all but 83 seconds of the contest.

B-E cut the deficit to 44-39, but Clarkston hit six free throws in the final 53 seconds to advance.