Davis of Yakima cruises past Eastmont for 4A CBBN district title, 2 takeaways
YAKIMA, Wash. – A year after capturing its first district championship in nearly three decades, the Davis of Yakima girls basketball team looks ready to make title runs a winter tradition.
Led by presumptive repeat 4A Columbia Basin Big Nine player of the year Esmeralda Galindo and a spectacular freshman class, the sixth-ranked Pirates throttled Eastmont 91-35 Friday night to repeat as district champs and nab a berth into the regional round of the state tournament.
With its RPI sitting at fourth, Davis will find out Sunday where, when and against whom it will play next weekend.
Here are two takeaways from the Eastmont-Davis game:
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SPREADING THE WEALTH
Galindo’s scoring is a couple ticks down from a year ago, but the senior still topped the conference at 22.1 points per game heading into Friday’s matchup.
She finished with 17 points against the Wildcats, and spent much of the game distributing the ball largely to a freshman class that includes versatile 6-footer Cheyanne Hull (12 points and 22 rebounds – taking one Eastmont misfire and weaving around Eastmont defenders for a layup on the other end), sharpshooter Ava Brandt (five 3-pointers en route to 17 points), and do-it-all Isa Garcia (team-high 22 points).
Six seniors dotted the Pirates’ roster a year ago. This season Davis’ rotation includes four freshmen.
“It helped me realize that I am a leader on this team and whatever I do they’ll follow,” said Galindo.
Her contributions, Davis coach Akil White said, have been immeasurable.
“I’m extremely proud of her, she has grown a lot,” White said. “She relishes the big sister role. She loves those guys and they love her. It’s been beautiful.”
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WAITING GAME
With the district title wrapped up, the Pirates now wait for the 4A state bracket to be unveiled Sunday.
At No. 4 in the RPI, Davis (18-4) is in the same position it was last February when the seeding committee made the Pirates the sixth seed and sent them to No. 3 Mount Tahoma, which topped the CBBN champs.
White is hopeful for a home game and is confident another top-eight seed is within reach, guaranteeing Davis another trip to the Tacoma Dome.
“I think our style is going to be a challenge,” he said. “You throw in the freshmen and you have that dynamic scorer in Esmi that you always have to account for.”
Eastmont (15-6) hosts West Valley of Yakima on Saturday for the CBBN's second state berth.
