Pairings familiar in 2B championship games
It seems there is a bit of déjÀ vu going on in 2B basketball.
The Republic and Northwest Christian boys will once again meet in a postseason championship game and Bi-County opponents Liberty and Reardan will meet in the girls title game after all four won semifinal games Monday at the District 7/9 2B tournament, securing places in state tournaments.
Republic, runner-up in last year’s state tournament, and defending state champion NWC both cruised to victory in boys’ semifinals at Mead.
Republic coach John Gianukakis said both teams can relax a little now, having secured a state berth.
“The game really doesn’t mean anything and we will end up on opposite sides of the bracket either way,” he said.
NWC coach Ray Ricks is looking forward to another meeting with the state’s top-ranked team.
“I’m really excited,” Ricks said. “It will be another great test. In this situation, playing a team like (Republic) can only serve to help. They are a great team; hopefully we’ll come out on top this time.”
The Reardan and Liberty girls advanced with wins over DeSales and St. George’s, respectively.
Friday, the Lind-Ritzville and St. George’s girls play at 4:15 p.m. and the Liberty and St. George’s boys at 6, both at Mead. At Mt. Spokane, Dayton and DeSales girls play at 4:15 and Selkirk and DeSales boys at 6. All losers are eliminated and the winners qualify for state.
Saturday’s games to determine seeding to state are at Mt. Spokane. Championships games are at 2:15 and 4 p.m.
Boys
Republic 65, Liberty 58: Derek Gianukakis was 9 of 15 from the field, finishing with 29 points and 12 rebounds, as the Tigers (25-1) topped the Lancers (20-6).
Gianukakis scored at the buzzer to give Republic a two-point lead at the half.
Andrew Canning, who led the Lancers with 23 points, scored four points to give Liberty its its final lead of the game at 31-30.
Cody Groth added 16 points and had a game-high six steals for Republic. Todd Orestad added 12 points and six assists.
NWC 61, DeSales 40: The Crusaders (24-1) built a 30-23 lead at the half and Chase Ramey and Joe Grewe finished with 10 points each to lead a balanced Crusaders scoring attack.
“Our balance has been part of our success because we don’t rely on just one guy,” Ricks said. “If we keep winning, we will need that from our bench. We have a lot of guys that contribute and that should serve us well.”
Selkirk 57, Asotin 49 (loser out): Travis Zimmerman led all players with 29 points and 11 rebounds as the Rangers (17-9) rallied past the Panthers at Mt. Spokane.
Nathan Reed added eight points, five rebounds and four steals for Selkirk.
St. George’s 55, Wellpinit 52 (loser out): Henry Butler scored 14 points as the Dragons (18-8) held off a late Redskins’ (14-13) charge. Miles Deife and Jordan Dickson each added 13 points.
Girls
Liberty 49, St. George’s 43 (OT): The Lancers earned a place in the state tournament for the first time in 17 years with a win over the Dragons (17-9). Cami Bullock led Liberty (23-2) with 19 points and Caitlin Jeske added 14.
Reardan 51, DeSales 45: Brook Ferderer finished with a career-high 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Indians past the Irish.
Sarah Wilke added 10 points for Reardan (18-8).
Lind-Ritzville 32, Davenport 29 (loser out): Katlin Fowles had 11 points and Laura Cain 10 as the Broncos (16-9) topped the Gorillas (15-11).
Dayton 52, Springdale 48 (loser out): Tressa Robins led all players with 16 points as Dayton held off the Chargers (13-12).
Amanda Krieg led Springdale with 13 points.