Richland grabs top Mid-Columbia Conference boys basketball spot with win over Kamiakin
RICHLAND, Wash. - Here is a truism in the Mid-Columbia Conference this school year: When the big game is on the line, Richland High School senior Josh Woodard steps up in a big way.
On Friday night, Woodard and the fourth-ranked Bombers had to hold off a pesky Kamiakin boys basketball team, winning 65-57 to take their perch atop the MCC standings in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 4,000 fans at Art Dawald Gymnasium.
The Bombers sit in first now at 6-0 (7-2 overall), while Kamiakin falls into second at 5-1 (9-2).
Woodard led Richland with 22 points, seven rebounds, six assists and six steals to vault the Bombers into the top of the standings.
Jack Forbes added 16 points for Richland, while Luke Westerfield had 11 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots.
Kamiakin senior Peter Dress — who has committed to playing next year for NAIA Embry-Riddle University in Arizona — led all scorers with 28 points, and he added eight rebounds.
James Kinsey added 12 points and seven rebounds.
Here are three takeaways from the Kamiakin-Richland game:
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WOODARD MAKES THE KEY PLAYS
One thing Woodard has shown this year is that whether it’s football — where at quarterback he was named MCC offensive player of the year — or basketball, he finds a way to make big plays.
At one point in the third quarter, Dress sank two free throws for a 41-39 Kamiakin lead.
But after that, Richland put together a big run — a 10-0 blitz, and a 17-5 explosion to pull away for good.
Forbes scored eight of the first 10 points in that run, but the key turning point was an 8-0 run that was led by Woodard. Richland only led 45-41 at the time.
And then Woodard:
* Tipped a pass that Forbes turned into a steal and a breakaway dunk.
* Stole a pass on the next possession and found Forbes for a layin.
* Followed up a Dress trey by making a driving layup of his own.
* Took a pass from Landon Northrop on the next possession and buried a 3-point field goal.
That was it. Richland led 54-44 and never was threatened again.
“He’s been doing this since August (when football season started),” said Bombers coach Earl Streufert. "He sets the bar high for himself."
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DEFENSE WINS GAMES
The bottom line was Richland outscored Kamiakin, 24-9, on points off of turnovers.
The Bombers forced the Braves into 16 turnovers. Woodard had six of them.
Richland needed those turnovers, as it had problems scoring points at times.
“We need to show we’re a defensive team,” Woodard said. "I am always on the lookout to pick the ball for a steal. Coach Streufert has had me doing that since I was a freshman.”
Kamiakin coach Brian Meneely says Richland’s defense was the key to the game.
“You can’t turn it over 16 times and win,” Meneely said.
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IT’S ALWAYS A BATTLE BETWEEN THESE TEAMS
This series never seems to have a blowout.
“It’s always a battle between these schools,” said Woodard. “It’s always a great atmosphere.”
Streufert and Meneely agreed. And the crowd knew it, too.
“Before the game, I told some of our guys to look around at this crowd,” Streufert said. “Some of our guys were on the floor smiling out there. It was nice to see.”
Meneely says it’s two programs that have had a bit of success, “and they take a lot of pride in themselves. Look at the crowd that shows up. It was nice to see. What a cool environment for the kids.”
Round 2 is at Kamiakin on Feb. 2.
A possible Round 3 might be on hand in the postseason.
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