Lynden, Canales do it again, roll past Grandview for third consecutive WIAA 2A boys basketball title
YAKIMA, Wash. - A day after their two-year title reign flashed before the Lions' eyes, the top-seeded Lynden boys left no doubt late Saturday afternoon.
Senior guard Anthony Canales scored a game-high 29 points en route to his third straight tournament MVP, and forward Brant Heppner had 27 points and nine rebounds as the top-seeded Lions towered over the No. 2 Greyhounds 85-54 in the Class 2A championship game in the Yakima Valley SunDome.
The Lions, who watched Bremerton's would-be game-winner Friday fall short as time expired, owned a 46-18 advantage on the glass, and shot 54.1 percent for the game with many attempts from point-blank range.
"We had such a size advantage," Lynden coach Brian Roper said. "Our size was just too much for Grandview, they're a really good team, but it was just our night."
Canales caps his career as the program's all-time leading scorer, having set the mark earlier this winter.
"His growth from an emotional kid his freshman and sophomore year to a classy leader as a senior is something I'm most proud of," Lynden coach Brian Roper said. "Obviously we love the points, we love the rebounds, we love what he does on the court, but his ability to be a great teammate is what makes him the most special."
The 6-foot-4 guard left quite the mark in the SunDome, too, between state tournaments and appearances in the late-December SunDome Shootout exhibition.
"This place will always hold a special place in my heart," Canales said.
It’s the 13th championship for the Lions (24-4) and seventh under Roper.
After storming back Friday night to erase a 17-point deficit and beat No. 3 North Kitsap in the semifinals, the Greyhounds couldn't again muster the comeback magic.
Francisco Medina led the Greyhounds (23-4) with 17 points, Cameron Draculan had 15 and Lino Armendariz chipped in 12.
