Resurgent Raiders fall short

YAKIMA – Running out of gas and the ability to convert key shots, Lake Roosevelt’s return to the state basketball tournament ended one game short of a trophy.

The Raiders (22-7) dropped a 62-58 loser-out decision to the King’s Knights (22-6) in the State 1B boys basketball tournament Friday at the SunDome.

Matt Pleasants and Coby Dick kept the Raiders in the game until the final minute as both had 17 points. Dick tallied 15 of his in the second half.

The loss did little to take the shine off a season of resurgence for Lake Roosevelt.

The Raiders broke Brewster’s lengthy stranglehold on the Caribou Trail League District title, won their most games since 1991 and set standards for coaching attire and player hairdos.

Coach Brad Wilson, who blew the seat of his trousers out in Thursday’s elimination game, fiddled with an autographed gold tie presented to him before state by his players as he spoke of what his team accomplished this year.

The tie was a gift from the squad after Wilson picked up a technical foul in regional play for throwing a different tie that clearly didn’t meet his sartorial standards.

“We did today what we did all season,” he said. “We were scrapping. It came down to making plays at the end and we were just a couple short.”

Dick, one of a half-dozen who cut their hair in what could charitably be called a mohawk style before regional play began, hit a 3-pointer with 18 seconds left that cut King’s lead to 60-58.

The Raiders had a chance at the tie, but Nick Hardy of King’s came up with a steal with 4 seconds remaining, was fouled and converted both free throws.