Rosalia, Colton remain on track for SE championship game

Spartan Coaches Rob Hudkins, left, and David Baird go over the strategy Saturday for the final minutes of Saturday's semi-final game at St. John.

After sitting one-two atop league standings all year, Rosalia and Colton boys hoop squads will square off in the Colfax gym Friday night for the SE 1B district title.

Winner claims the top spot to the Walla Walla regional round of the state tournament. Loser plays Saturday night for the district’s number two ticket to state and heads to Eastmont High School in Wenatchee.

SE district action for boys and girls at the Colfax gym have followed different formats because the girls get three entries in next week’s regionals and the boys get just two.

Both Rosalia and Colton made quick work of their opponents on their respective home courts in the opening round of the district tournament last Saturday night.

Riding the hot hands of the Straughan brothers, Colton downed Garfield/Palouse 70-57. Guards Josh and John each knocked down four treys and combined for 42 points as the Wildcats countered GP’s defensive focus on Wildcat center Dustin Patchen.

Despite the Viking attention, Patchen put up a triple-double: 13 points, 13 rebounds and 11 blocks.

Blake Slocum topped the Vikes with 17 points and Nathan Cocking added 13.

Rosalia, meanwhile, dispatched rival St. John/Endicott 58-40 on the Spartan court. The Spartan defense held down the Eagles early, and the offense, led by Nathan Richards’ 18 points, picked up steam in the second half.

Casey Brown and Scott Eberle each added nine points in a balanced Rosalia attack. Cole McCanna’s 14 points topped SJE.

St. John/Endicott and Garfield/Palouse go head-to-head Friday night in an elimination game. The winner plays the Colton/Rosalia loser for the second SE berth.

In Tuesday’s elimination rounds at Colfax, the Eagles rebounded by topping Pomeroy 61-54 in an overtime classic.

The Eagles fell behind in the second quarter after Pomeroy put up an 18-8 frame. SJE rallied in the fourth quarter to force the extra frame, where the Eagles’ free throw shooting gave them a 10-3 advantage.

Mason Van Lith posted 21 points for the game high.

Garfield/Palouse turned on the heat in the third quarter Tuesday night and bounced Touchet 72-57.

Up by four points at the half, the Vikes rode Blake Slocum’s hot hand to put the game away with a 21-9 third quarter. Slocum canned six of his nine 3-point bombs on his way to 24 points. Post Nathan Cocking added 17 and Race Martin 10.

In last Thursday’s opening action, St. John/Endicott followed Mason Van Lith’s 18 points to top Touchet 62-46.

Garfield/Palouse staked a 20-point first quarter, but Pomeroy tie it at the end of the third. The Vikes rallied for a 54-49 win. J.B. Lange hit of 8-of-10 from the free throw line on his way to 14 points.

Flash Hodges of the Spartans crashes between Kaleb Simon (12) and Evan Raynor of the Eagles in the semi game at Rosalia.

TUESDAY SCORING

St. John/Endicott 61- Pomeroy 54 (OT): 9/4 8/18 14/14 20/15 10/3: Mason Van lith 21, Cole McCanna 15, Kaleb Simon 7, Joey Kucklick 4, Kyle Raynor 2, Lee Perril 2, Evan Jones 2, Ben Harrison 2. Pomeroy: Justin Ruark 17, Mac Wolf 12, Sean Beale 9, Cody Lamunyan 7, Mitch Ruchert 7, Tanner Feider 2.

Garfield/Palouse 72- Touchet 57: 21/21 13/9 21/9 17/18: Blake Slocum 24, Nathan Cocking 17, Race Martin 10, Jesse Lopez 6, Steven Griffin 6, J.B. Lange 5, Gage Redman 2, Zach Kuehner 2. Touchet: Matt Kates 18, Jake Hodenfield 17, Vicente Flores 9, Eric Hines 8, Will Huesby 2, Ruben Butler 2.

SATURDAY SCORING

Colton 70- Garfield/Palouse 57: 22/10 10/12 21/16 17/19: Josh Straughan 23, Jake Straughan19, Dustin Patchen 13, Steve Eacker 11, Taylor Spence 4. GP: Blake Slocum17, Nathan Cocking 13, Steven Griffin 11, Jesse Lopez 6, Race Martin 5, Chad Redman 2, J.B. Lange 2, Jon Kuehner 1.

Rosalia 58- St. John/Endicott 40: 9/4 18/16 14/7 17/13:

Nathan Richards 18, Casey Brown 9, Scott Eberle 9, D.J. Brown 7,Flash Hodgs 6, Damien Loucks 5, Jared Hereford 2, Nelson 2. SJE: Cole McCanna 14, Mason Van Lith 10, Evan Raynor 7, Lee Parrill 2, Ben Harrison 2, Mason Howell 2, S. Raynor 2, Kyle Raynor 1.

THURSDAY SCORING

St. John/Endicott 62- Touchet 46: 13/9 16/12 11/10 22/15: Mason Van Lith 18, Cole McCanna 14, Joey Kucklick 10, Ben Harrison 6, Evan Jones 6, Evan Raynor 4, Dallas Schluneger 2, Kyle Raynor 2. Touchet: Jake Hodnefield 15, Matt Kates 15, Vicente Flores 9, Joey Butler 3, Eric Hines 2, Will Huesby 2.

Garfield/Palouse 54- Pomeroy 49: 25/5 8/13 8/23 13/8: Blake Slocum 17, Race Martin 15, J.B. Lange 14, Nathan Cocking 4, Steven Griffin 2, Chad Redman 2. Pomeroy: Justin Ruark 18, Sean Beale 12, Mitch Ruchert 8, Cody Lamunyan 7, Matt FitzGerald 4.