With 40 From Brossman, Pullman Places Fourth

State 2A girls

Christa Brossman saved her best game for last.

Brossman scored a career-high 40 points, all after the first quarter, and rallied Pullman to a 60-52 win over Lakeside in the girls State 2A high school basketball tournament at the SunDome on Saturday.

Brossman, a senior who piled up 1,855 career points, broke the tournament record for points in one game. Carey Sauer scored 38 against Elma while leading Newport to the 1999 state title.

Brossman’s previous best was 36 points vs. Deer Park in February 1999.

“It’s the best feeling ever,” said Brossman, who scored 15 points in the second quarter and 17 in the third. “The only better thing would be to win the whole (tournament).”

Pullman (22-6) finished 3-1 at the tournament and placed fourth, the best showing for girls in school history. Lakeside (21-7) placed seventh, winning its fifth trophy in six years. The Eagles have also placed first (‘98), third, sixth and seventh at state since 1995.

Lakeside and Pullman, Great Northern League rivals, had split their previous four games this season. Early on, Saturday’s game resembled last week’s District 7 championship game, won by Lakeside 49-32.

But Brossman had a different script for her final high school game.

Lakeside junior Jenna Giampietri guarded Brossman at district and helped hold her to one field goal and a season-low seven points. Giampietri drew the assignment again Saturday and held the Hawaii-bound guard scoreless in the first quarter.

The Eagles bolted to leads of 7-0, 18-4 and 20-6 before Brossman found her touch. “In the huddle before the second quarter, Dad (coach Jack Brossman) said we (stunk),” Christa said.

Brossman hit 5 of 7 field goals in the second quarter, including her first of four 3-pointers, 2 seconds before the halftime buzzer. Brossman also hit 4 of 4 free throws in the quarter, on her way to an 8-for-8 day.

Although Pullman came within seven points in the quarter, Lakeside built the lead back to 14 before Brossman’s buzzer-beater.

“We’ve carried a mental block against Lakeside for three years,” coach Brossman said. “We’d play everyone tough, then get beat by 30 points by Lakeside. I challenged them at halftime: Are we going to roll over or challenge them?”

The third quarter was all Brossman - a 6-for-8 showing from the field, with two 3-pointers, and 3-for-3 shooting from the line. No other Greyhounds player scored in the third quarter. Until Klara Toth’s basket with 6 minutes left in the game, Brossman did all the Pullman scoring for a 15-minute stretch.

“I was in a groove,” Brossman said. “For me as a shooter, I’ve found I do better if I don’t think so much about my shot.” Lakeside put senior Julia Vojtech on Brossman, but the Eagles were reluctant to install a double-team because of Pullman’s overall quickness.

Despite 24 points from Brossman, Lakeside led 43-31 with 1:07 left in the third quarter. Pullman outscored the Eagles 29-9 for the final 9 minutes.

Runs of 8-0 and 10-0 allowed the Greyhounds to take their first lead. Brossman’s three-point play with 4:34 gave Pullman its first lead, and the lead for good. Pullman made 11 of 12 free throws in the second half.

Brossman set the tournament record with a swished 3-pointer with 1:30 left. It was the final shot of her prep career. “It’s been hard coaching for four years because she’s my daughter,” said Jack Brossman, who vowed to return next season despite Christa’s absence. “But her play sure made it easier.”

Pullman will graduate another starter, Debbie Curry, and three reserves. The Greyhounds will also lose underclassmen Kasi and Kelli Dickson, because their father, Rick, is leaving Washington State University to become athletic director at Tulane. Lakeside will return nearly intact, with the graduation of guard Vojtech as the main exception. Vojtech, committed to LewisClark State, scored 10 Saturday to finish her career with 627 points.

Lakeside had four players in double figures, led by Giampietri with 13.

Pullman 60, Lakeside 42

Pullman 4 18 17 21 - 60

Lakeside 18 15 10 9 - 52

Pullman (22-6)-Brossman 40, Sheridan 6, McEldowney 0, Toth 5, Sodorff 0, Dickson 0, Chamberlain 8, McGregger 0, Curry 1.

Lakeside (21-7)-Tikker 0, K. Reome 10, Giampietri 13, J. Reome 0, Vojtech 10, Barcus 7, Grubbs 10, Stillar 2.