A season worth celebrating: Colfax wins at State

COLFAX - For the second straight season, a basketball program in Colfax have taken home the 2B WIAA state championship trophy.

Last season was the Colfax Bulldog girls team with a perfect 28-0 season with a state championship. This time around, the boys team went 29-0, capping off their season with a dominant 65-52 victory over Columbia (Burbank) in the state title game.

With the undefeated season, the Bulldogs were one of two teams in the state of Washington, regardless of classification, to finish with an undefeated season. The other was 1A Zillah, who finished their season undefeated with a two-point state championship victory.

"It was a special season with an incredible group of kids. I am so proud of the kids and what we were able to accomplish," said Colfax head coach Reece Jenkin.

The last time the Bulldogs won the state championship was in 2012. The team made the title game in 2013, but fell just short to St. George's.

The state tournament was played Wednesday, Feb. 28, through Saturday, Mar. 2.

The boys entered the state tournament as the number three overall seed, trailing undefeated Napavine, and undefeated Columbia.

Colfax opened their run at a state title in the Spokane Arena on Thursday, Feb. 29, with a game against the number 12 seeded Wahkiakum.

Colfax took control of the game after a 20-3 first quarter advantage to win the game 68-31.

The Bulldogs held Wahkiakum to three made field goals in the first half, all of which were three-point shots. The Mules would make five free throws in the first half to score 14 total points.

Colfax shot 61% from two, and 37.5% from three in the first half, scoring 37 points to put the game away early.

During the third quarter, Colfax would out-score the Mules 19-7 to drastically extend their lead. Colfax would finish with a 12-point fourth quarter.

Jayce Kelly led the way for the Bulldogs, he had 20 points and 13 rebounds. Kelly would shoot 7/15 in the game, including three three-point shots.

Adrik Jenkin had 14 points on four made three-point shots, and Seth Lustig had 12 points five assists with eight rebounds.

"We had great leadership all year from our seniors, especially in the last couple of weeks. Kids were locked in and focused on the end goal of bringing the gold ball back to Colfax, Jenkin said.

The semifinal round of the state tournament for Colfax took place on Friday, Mar. 1, with a match-up with Napavine.

In the game of undefeated seasons, the Bulldogs asserted dominance early, and closed the game with a 26-8 fourth quarter to defeat the Tigers 78-53, advancing Colfax to the state championship game.

The Bulldogs had a 20-14 advantage after the first quarter, and took an 11-point lead into halftime.

Colfax would make just two threes in the first half, however, they would make 12 two-point shots in the half on 75% shooting.

After a 17-21 third quarter from Napavine, the Bulldogs held firm, holding the Tigers to just eight points in the fourth while scoring 26 to earn the 25-point victory.

Kelly led the way yet again, this time with 24 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. He shot 9/16 in the game.

Lustig was close behind again with 22 points and two assists. Jenkin shot 5/9 including two three-point shots to finish with 14 points.

JP Wigen had 10 points and six rebounds as well.

The state championship game was played on Saturday, Mar. 2, against the number one overall seeded Columbia Coyotes.

After leading by seven in the first quarter, Colfax took a four-point lead to halftime. When the fourth quarter started, Colfax was ahead by just three points, however, they would out-score the Coyotes 21-11 in the fourth quarter to claim the 2023-24 state title.

Colfax shook off the nerves early in the first quarter, scoring 19 quick points while the Coyotes scored 12.

Columbia would answer back with a 15-point second quarter to cut the halftime lead to 31-27.

Colfax went 3/7 from two, and 5/15 from three in the first half while Columbia went 12/21 from two and 0/9 from three. The early difference was that Colfax went 10/12 from the free throw line in the first half, while the Coyotes went 3/3.

During the third quarter, Columbia would out-score Colfax 14-13, however, they shot just 33% from two and three in the second half.

Colfax used their lead to their advantage in the second half, creating timely shots deep in to the shot clock, and made their free throws when needed. Colfax went 14/15 from the free-throw line in the second half, and 4/7 from three, earning their state championship trophy.

Lustig and Jenkin led the way with 19 points each for Colfax. Jenkin had six rebounds and one assist, while Lustig had three rebounds and assists.

Jaxon Wick gave Colfax 13 points off the bench, including three made three-point shots.

Wigen had six points and nine rebounds. Kelly would score just six points, however, he grabbed 11 rebounds and had six assists.

"This was a tight knit team and will always have a special bond. They will get to see this year up on the title wall anytime they walk into the gym after their incredible year," Jenkin said.

Although the Bulldogs sent their five seniors off in the best way possible, the undefeated Bulldogs have their work cut out for them if they want to defend their title.

"Next year will be a new journey, we will bring two starters back and some kids that will be excited for their opportunity to play in their new roles. It will be strange this summer when we start to no longer see these seniors who contributed so much to our program. SO grateful for the opportunity to coach them, and excited for the future to see how our underclassmen will develop," Jenkin said.

The two returning starters for next season will be Jenkin and Kelly. Both were the focal points of the offense this past season. They will bring their high-scoring offense back to Colfax.

The Bulldogs will have to replace Lustig, Wigen, and Bradyn Heilsberg from the starting rotation, Wick and Brice Hammer off the bench.

The graduating seniors combined for 40 of the 65 points scored in the state title game.

Although Kelly was First-Team All-League, and Jenkin was All-League Player Of The Year, look for both to make huge strides next season for the Bulldogs as they look to defend their title.

After the season, head coach Jenkin was awarded the 2B 2024 Wayne Gilman coaches award.

"I am grateful for the award, but it truly is a team award," said Jenkin.