Bulldogs boys peg first state ticket in four years

Freshman Brandon Gfeller shows his touch from the outside. Gfeller hit five three-pointers against Lind/Ritzville Saturday to give the Bulldog offense a much-needed boost and advance the team to state.

Propelled by the shooting boost from a freshman, Colfax boys Saturday picked up the second NE ticket to state and opened their first state campaign Wednesday. Coach Reece Jenkin and his crew, which includes five seniors, were matched against Liberty Christian in the tournament’s nightcap game at the Spokane Arena.

Liberty Christian, dominator in the SE, entered with 21-2 record after a fifth place finish in the Spokane 2B show last year. Colfax qualified with an 18-8 mark.

This year’s state entry is the firstfor Colfax boys in the 2B event at Spokane. Their last entry four years ago was in the Yakima SunDome when Colfax played in the A division.

Colfax made the state show by fighting off a charging Lind/Ritzville team 50-47 Saturday night in the last chance round of the Northeast District tournament at Mt. Spokane.

Freshman Brandon Gfeller led the Colfax win with 15 points, all of them off three-point shots. He hit four of them in the second quarter when Colfax built a 30-22 lead over the Broncos.

Justin Berarducci, a sophomore, hit 13 points and pulled down 16 rebounds against the Broncos. Gfeller and Berarducci were two of only four Colfax scorers. Caleb Bravard hit 14.

James Robinson, Colfax’s scoring leader for the season, was held to eight points, but he had a 4-4 night at the line with some key zaps in the final minute when Colfax was able to force the Broncos into a two possession game with the last seconds ticking off the clock.

Colfax and Lind/Ritzville paired up in the last NE round Saturday after the Bulldogs were defeated by Davenport 47-41 in the NE title game Thursday. The big Davenport club, throttled Colfax in the third quarter, and held on to the lead with tough defense to take the title.

Davenport took the number-one NE ticket after bumping Northwest Christian, the defending state champs, in the early NE rounds.

Lind/Ritzville paired off against Colfax after a 67-58 win over Reardan in the last consolation round game Thursday. The Broncos’ campaign through the consolation bracket included an upset elimination of NWC.

Colfax went into the Thursday title game without senior Dustin Huber who was sick. Huber’s absence left more space in the paint for Morgan Scharff, the Gorillas’ 6-9 senior who topped all scorers with 18, points and pulled down 16 boards.

Colfax battled to a 24-21 lead after the first half, but the G club dropped the hammer 14-5 after the break and went on to the 47-41 win and the first NE ticket to the Spokane Arena.

Wednesday night’s Colfax- Liberty Christian game at state was booked opposite the Willapa Valley-Chief Leschi game with the winners playing tonight and the losers playing an elimination game at 2 p.m. today.

Colfax 50-Lind/Ritzville 47: 10/8 20/14 11/14 9/11: Caleb Bravard 6 2-3 14, James Robinson 2 4-4 8, Brandon Gfeller 5 (all 3pt) 0-0 15, Justin Berarducci 6 1-3 13. Total: 19 7-10 f-18 50. Lind/Ritzville: Bryce Hilzer 2 0-0 4, Brent Stromberger 2 (3pt) 0-0 5, James Stevenson 4 (3pt) 5-10 14, Jake Eichner 5 (2-3pt) 0-1 12, Jacob Schofstoll 5 (2-3pt) 0-0 12. Total 18 5-12 f-14 47.

Davenport 47-Colfax 41: 6/3 15/19 14/5 12/13: Cody Hopkins 2, Joey Gunning 2, Chris Becker 4, Erick Landsiedel 2, Jarod Gunning 11, Josh Zeller 8, Morgan Scharff 18. Colfax: Caleb Bravard 12, Brandon Hoadley 2, Tanner Gay 6, Alex Teade 3, Brandon Gfeller 12, Justin Berarducci 5.