1A Boys State Tournament: Lyncs Back in Championship Game

The Lynden Christian Lyncs are back in the 1A state championship game for the second year in a row.  A strong second half pushed them past the Kings Knights, 63-54, in Friday night’s semifinals in the Yakima SunDome.

After losing last year’s title game to Annie Wright, this will be the Lyncs fifth championship game appearance in the last six tournaments. 

After the Lyncs served up a quick 10-2 start, with junior forward Kaden Veldman responsible for eight of those points, the Knights responded behind sophomore guard, Zaphie Cooper.  Cooper hit two 3-pointers and scored ten points in the quarter.  The Lyncs lead was 16-14 after eight minutes.

The Knights kept the pressure on in the second quarter.  This time it was the ten points from Dozie Asinobi that helped the Knights outscore the Lyncs 18-9, for a 32-25 halftime lead.

The Lyncs defensive adjustment from man-to-man to a zone defense late in the second quarter, and a times in the third quarter, helped to slow the Knights offense by keeping defenders close to perimeter shooters and limiting penetration.  The Knights scored only seven points in the third quarter.

Meanwhile, Dawson Hintz began to take the Lyncs offensive matters into his own hands.  Hintz had eight points in the third quarter as the Lyncs outscored the Knights 17-4 until Knights reserve junior guard Drew Evans hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Hintz added 12 more points in the fourth quarter as the Lyncs kept the Knights at a save distance until the Knights had the ball, and down only 55-49.  Their possession ended up in a missed 3-pointer with just under three minutes to play.

At the other end, senior guard Boyce Robertson nailed a big 3-point shot from the left corner that gave the Lyncs a 58-49 lead with 2:10 to play.  Roberson had a big game for the Lyncs, hitting two fourth-quarter 3-point shots, and scored 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. 

Hintz led the Lyncs with 24 points, with 17 coming in the second half.  Junior guard Gunnar Dykstra scored 12 points with Veldman also finishing with 12 points and nine rebounds. 

Cooper led the Knights with 15, followed by 14 points each for Asinobi and senior forward Andrew Gerbig.

The Knights from Kings (19-7) will go against the Royal Knights on Saturday, at 1115am for third and fifth place.

The Lyncs will take their 25-1 record to the championship game against the 26-0, Zillah Leopards.  The 1A title game tips off at 700pm on Saturday.

Zillah defeated Royal 74-64 in the other state 1A semifinal.  It was the Leopards fourth win over those Knights this season.

Last year’s Annie Wright championship broke a string of ten consecutive 1A boys state tournaments where the champion has been either Zilllah (4), Lynden Christian (3), or Kings (3).  Make that 11 of 12 years now, with the Leopards or the Lyncs carrying on that streak. 

~ Ted House

STATS

Kings: Cooper 15, Needham 6, Asinobi 14, Bjella 2, Evans 3, King 0, Gerbig 14, Steen 0

FG: 21-57, 36.8%

3P: 5-25, 20%

FT: 7-10, 70%

Lynden Christian: Hintz 24, Dykstra 12, Howell 0, Maberry 0, Kamphouse 3, Robertson 12, Veldman 12, Herwerden 0

FG: 25-47, 53.2%

3P: 5-15, 33.3%

FT: 8-13, 61.5%