State 2A: Top-ranked East Valley girls lose; Clarkston boys in title game

YAKIMA – The top-ranked East Valley’s girls team will have a chance to play for the highest basketball finish in school history today, but not for the trophy the Knights envisioned.

After finishing fifth and fourth the last two seasons, and with a senior-dominated team, the Knights had title dreams in 2016. But on Friday, they ran smack into a disciplined, athletic Shorecrest team in the 2A semifinals and dropped a 58-41 decision in the SunDome.

East Valley (22-4) will play Ellensburg in the third place game at 11:15 a.m. Saturday. That is a rematch of last year’s third-place game, which Ellensburg won 48-45.

East Valley was led by the 14 points and 11 rebounds of Jordan Phelan. Shorecrest was led by the 15 points and 11 rebounds of Uju Chibuoghu.

“We just didn’t come out ready to go,” East Valley coach Rob Collins said. “I don’t know if we took Shorecrest for granted, but they are a good team.”

After struggling mightily in the first half and trailing 27-12 at intermission, the Knights started clicking in the second half and cut the deficit to four points. And then fell flat.

“I don’t know what happened,” Collins said. “This was not a good way to perform on Day 2.”

That said, there is the chance to bring home the best finish in program history.

“We’ve got to be OK with that,” Collins said. “But we’re not now.”

Clarkston 58, Lynden 44: The Bantams will defend their 2A boys title against Shorecrest at 3 p.m. after pulling away and beating Lynden.

Clarkston (24-1) was led by Trevon Allen, who had 31 points including six 3-pointers. Davian Sobotta added 12 points.

Sterling Somersault led Lynden with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

The Bantams outscored Lynden 25-13 in the fourth period. Allen had 13 of those points.

It’s the fourth straight year the Great Northern league has had a team in the title game. Pullman won in 2013 and 2014.