31st Annual
North Central District "A"
Boys Basketball Tournament
1988

  First Round Semifinals

Champ

ionship

Semifinals First Round District Main
    February 16   February 19  

Febr

uary 23

  February 19   February 16    
                       
                 
    #6 Omak
(10-10)
                #5 Okanogan
(11-9)
   
                   
                       
    Game 1.   Cashmere
(13-8)
        Quincy
(13-8)
  Game 3.    
      Score: 53-42         Score: 68-62      
                       
    #3 Cashmere
(12-8)
  Game 7.   Cashmere
(14-8)
        #4 Quincy
(12-8)
   
        Score: 69-60          
                           
        Game 12.
#1 seed to state
 

Cash
(15

mere
-8)

           
         

Score

: 67-66 (3OT)

         
                   
    #7 Chelan
(11-9)
        Ephrata
(23-0)
  Game 8.   #8 Cascade
(10-10)
   
          Score: 64-51        
                           
    Game 2.   Lake Roosevelt
(16-5)
        Ephrata
(22-0)
  Game 4.    
            Score: 63-50      
                       
    #2 Lake Roosevelt
(15-5)
                #1 Ephrata
(21-0)
   
                   
Losers Bracket
mmmm
  Omak
(10-11)
      Ephrata
(23-1)
       
    Game 5.
Loser out
  Omak
(11-11)
                 
    Chelan
(11-10)
                 
        Game 9.
Loser out
  Omak
(12-11)
    Game 13.
Loser 3rd
  Ephrata
(24-1)
   
            Score: 41-36         Score: 56-51
#2 seed to state
   
        Quincy
(13-9)
                 
        Game 11.
Loser 4th
    Omak
(13-11)
       
        Lake Roosevelt
(16-6)
        Score: 46-43        
                           
    Game 10.
Loser out
  Okanogan
(13-10)
             
    Okanogan
(11-10)
      Score: 59-57              
    Game 6.
Loser out
  Okanogan
(12-10)
                 
    Cascade
(10-11)
  Score: 50-42                  

***************************************************************************

Cashmere 53, Omak 42
Game 1.
At Cashmere, WA

Cashmere's strong defensive play and offensive patience keyed the Bulldogs' 53-42 win over Omak here Tuesday night.
Omak got within six points twice in the fourth period, but no closer as Cashmere sank eight of 11 free throws in the last eight minutes.
"I was impressed with the poise we showed late in the game," said Cashmere coach Steve Biehn, who went all the way with his five starters. "We were patient offensively and got the ball inside."
It was the fifth straight win for Cashmere, which has limited opponents to just 46.7 points per game in the last five outings.
Biehn was especially pleased with the defensive play of Brent Paine, Jon Day and Al Kenoyer, who he said "played fantastic defense on (Geoff) Miller."
Miller finished with 15 points, the only player to reach double figures for Omak.
Mark Miller and Paine were the triggerman for the Cashmere offense. Milner pumped in 22 points and Paine netted 17.
Milner also, led the Bulldogs with six rebounds and Day handed out six assists.
Omak (10-11) - Staggs 7, Miller 15, Clark 4, Atkins 5, Hamon 6, Hart, Kuehner 1, Williams, Harrison 2, Parker, Gagne.
Cashmere (13-8) - Johnson 8, Day 6, Kenoyer, Paine 17, Milner 22.
Omak ------------ 14 24 31 42
Cashmere ------------ 15 25 35 53
Officials: Brian Barnaby and Stan Evenhus
Field Goals: Omak 18-45 (.400); Cashmere 21-43 (.408)
Free Throws: Omak 4-5 (.800); Cashmere 11-15 (.733)
Rebounds: Omak 27, Cashmere 19
Turnovers: Omak 16, Cashmere 9
Fouls: Omak 13, Cashmere 7

***************************************************************************

Lake Roosevelt 63, Chelan 58
Game 2.
At Coulee Dam, WA

Clutch free throw shooting late in the game helped Lake Roosevelt hold on for a win over the Chelan Goats.
The Raiders managed to hang on despite squandering all but two points of a 17-point lead. Mike Schilling hit four of five foul shots in the fourth quarter and Perry Palmer sank two free throws with one second to ice the win.
"Our free throw shooting wasn't great, but we made them when we needed them," said Lake Roosevelt coach Tom Johnson. His Raiders were 8-of-14 from the line in the fourth quarter.
The Raiders led by 17 points in the third quarter, then Chelan turned up the defensive pressure to get back into the game. The Goats, trailing by 13 points entering the fourth quarter, closed to within a basket as Daryl McCollough sank nine of his 14 points in the final period.
Four Lake Roosevelt starters scored in double figures. Schilling led the way with 14 points, plus 10 rebounds and five steals. Palmer tossed in 12 points, Cecilio Wilson contributed 11 points and six assists, while Marty Stanley struck for 10 points, six rebounds and six assists.
McCollough's 14 points led Chelan and Vern Esplin worked inside for 13 points and 14 rebounds.
Chelan (11-10) - McCollough 14, D. Stevens 6, Brown 9, Esplin 13, Huffman 2, Hunter 2, Dietrich 4, Whitney 3, McMinn, M. Stevens 3.
Lake Roosevelt (16-5) - Stanley 10, Wilson 11, Rey 7, Schilling 14, Palmer 12, Adrien, Jenn 3, Clark, Garvin, Thomas 2, Patrick 4, Wiyrick.
Chelan ------------ 10 17 31 58
Lake Roosevelt ------------ 12 25 44 63
Officials: Jerry Heilig and Bob Wildfang

***************************************************************************

Quincy 68, Okanogan 62
Game 3.
At Cashmere, WA

Quincy hit the critical foul shots in the final period and held on for a 68-62 win over Okanogan here Tuesday night.
The Jackrabbits converted 10-of-13 foul shots in the fourth quarter and prevented the Bulldogs from getting any closer than the final six point margin.
"Last year we got beat by 30 points in the first game at District," said Quincy coach Jack Peasley. "This feels a lot better."
Kelly Barnett and Ty Phelps each sank four free throws in the last eight minutes, while Trent House went 2-for-2 at the line during that period.
Phelps turned in a outstanding all-around performance for the Jackrabbits, hitting six of seven field goal tries and four of six free throws for 17 points. In addition, he grabbed six rebounds, passed off for seven assists and played a "headsy game on defense," according to Peasley.
Phelps checked Okanogan's main shooter, Eric Merriman, who was 3-for-13 from the field and scored just 10 points.
Other key efforts were turned in by Ruben Garcia (22 points, six rebounds, four assists) and Barnett (10 points, 15 rebounds). House finished with 12 points.
Jim Webster was strong inside for Okanogan, hitting 11-of -16 shots for 23 points. He tallied 14 of his game high point total in the fourth period on 7-for-8 shooting.
Pat Garred chipped in 18 points for the Bulldogs.
Okanogan (11-10) - Middleton 1, Skirko 6, Garred 18, Webster 23, Merriman 10, Roberts 2, Perkins 2, Swallom, Neely.
Quincy (13-8) - House 12, Phelps 17, Garcia 22, Sauber 5, Barnett 10, Patton, Majer 2, Toevs.
Okanogan ------------ 9 26 40 62
Quincy ------------ 16 33 48 68
Officials: Dave Michels and Woody Hunter
Field Goals: Okanogan 27-71 (.380); Quincy 24-62 (.387)
Free Throws: Okanogan 7-20 (.350); Quincy 20-29 (.690)
Rebounds: Okanogan 37, Quincy 39

***************************************************************************

Ephrata 63, Cascade-Leavenworth 50
Game 4.
At Ephrata, WA

Ephrata changed its defense and changed its fortunes in the second half to rally past Cascade.
The Tigers remained on the path toward a second consecutive North Central District title by outscoring Cascade 35-18 in the second half raising their overall record to 21-0.
Dale Hagy spearheaded the Tiger charge with 11 of his 23 points in the third quarter.  Jeff Stucky also excelled for Ephrata, pumping in 20 points and pulling down 17 rebounds.
The Tigers out-rebounded Cascade 30-22 and outscored the Kodiaks 15-5 from the free throw line.
"Cascade came out and played extremely motivated," said Ephrata coach Marty O'Brien. "They were very well prepared."
Cascade (10-11) - McGregor 2, McMillan 8, Rieke 13, Ala'ilima-Daley 21, McDevitt 6, McCarthy.
Ephrata (21-0) - O'Brien 2, Hagy 23, Stucky 20, Cagle 9, Hewitt 9, Whallon, Buchmann.
Cascade ------------ 20 32 41 50
Ephrata ------------ 13 28 47 63
Officials: Unknown

***************************************************************************

Omak 59, Chelan 48
Game 5. (Loser out)
At Omak, WA

Omak's Geoff Miller led the hot-shooting Pioneers to victory over Chelan here Friday night.
Miller clicked on 8-of-13 shots from the field and sank 6-of-7 free throws in leading Omak to a win over Chelan in a North Central District A boys loser-out game.
Thanks largely to Miller, the Pioneers shot 54 percent from the field and also outscored the Goats 17-5 at the foul line.
"We showed good offensive patience in the fourth quarter," said Omak coach Darryl Moulton.
Eric Clark contributed 11 points and seven rebounds and Clay Atkins added eight points and 10 rebounds for Omak.
Chelan got most if its scoring from Vern Esplin and Matt Stevens.
Chelan (11-11) - McCullough 8, D. Stevens 2, Brown 3, Esplin 17, M. Stevens 11, Hunter, Dietrich 5, Whitney, McMinn, Huffman 2.
Omak (11-11) - Staggs, Miller 24, Clark 11, Atkins 8, T. Hamon 6, Q. Hamon, Kuehner 4, Leise, Williams 2, Harrison 2, Parker, King 2.
Chelan

------------

18 23 36 48
Omak

------------

14 26 40 59
Officials: Jack Clerf and Roy Bowden

***************************************************************************

Okanogan 50, Cascade-Leavenworth 42
Game 6. (Loser out)
At Okanogan, WA

Okanogan's tough second-half defensive pressure keyed the Bulldogs' triumph over Cascade.
The Bulldogs held Cascade to just 12 points in the second half as they survived the loser-out game of the North Central District A boys tournament.
It was Okanogan's first district playoff victory in 16 years, said Okanogan coach Mike Gilmore.
Gilmore gave much of the defensive credits to Carl Middleton and Eric Merriman.  Middleton was responsible for Cascade's Kevin Rieke, holding him to 3-for-13 shooting in the second half. Merriman checked the Kodiaks' Elia Ala'ilima-Daly, who managed just eight points for the game.
"Middleton played really tough 'D' on Rieke," said Gilmore. "Merriman did  good job on Daly."
Gilmore also praised the team's "patient offense," which produced 18 field goals on just 38 shots (47 percent accuracy).
Merriman and Jim Webster formed the Bulldogs' inside-outside scoring combination.  Merriman hit for 21 points from the perimeter, while Webster worked underneath the basket for 17 points and 15 rebounds.
Rieke led Cascade with 21 points.
Cascade (10-12) - McMillan 2,  Rieke 21, Ala'ilima-Daly 8, McGregor, McDevitt 6, O'Brien, McCarthy 5.
Okanogan (12-10) - Merriman 21, Webster 17, Skirko 6, Middleton 2, Perkins, Roberts 4, Swallom.
Cascade

------------

16 30 34 42
Okanogan

------------

10 23 32 50
Officials: Lamar Winder and Bill Alexander

***************************************************************************

Cashmere 69, Lake Roosevelt 60
Game 7. (Semifinal)
At Okanogan, WA

Lake Roosevelt had the right game plan, but Cashmere had the right counter punches as the Bulldogs book a tournament semifinal over the Raiders here Friday night.
Cashmere, with big scorer, Mark Milner bottled up most of the game, countered with effective scoring from Neil Johnson and Jon Day in gaining the win.
"Lake Roosevelt had a fantastic game plan," said Cashmere coach Steve Biehn. "But what they gave us we took."
Milner, fighting a collapsing Raider defense, managed just 14 points, seven under his average. But Johnson popped in 19 points, 12 in the second half, and Day netted 15, including 11 in the first half.
Brent Paine also netted 15 points for the Bulldogs.
The Raiders made it close, cutting the Cashmere lead to 54-52, but "then we broke their full-court press and either scored lay-ups or were fouled," said Biehn.
The Bulldogs sank 11-of 13 foul shots in the final period to ice the game.
Cashmere also did a defensive number on the Raiders' scoring leader, Mike Schilling. Paine held him to just four points.
David Rey (14 points) and Perry Palmer (11) led Lake Roosevelt in scoring.
Cashmere (14-8) - Johnson 19, Day 15, Paine 15, Kenoyer 4, Milner 14, Grams 2, Smith.
Lake Roosevelt (16-6) - Stanley 9, Wilson 6, Rey 14, Schilling 4, Palmer 11, Thomas 3, Jenn 5, Patrick 8.
Cashmere ------------ 12 27 48 69
Lake Roosevelt ------------ 17 28 41 60
Officials: Jerry Heilig and Jack McMillan

***************************************************************************

Ephrata 64, Quincy 51
Game 8. (Semifinal)
At Omak, WA

Dale Hagy's sharp shooting and change of defensive strategy sent Ephrata on its way to its win over the Quincy Jackrabbits.
Hagy fired in 10-of-21 field goal attempts, including 3-for-8 shooting from three-point range, and scored a game-high 24 points in the North Central District "A" boys semifinal game here Friday night.
But Ephrata coach Marty O'Brien, whose club trailed early 10-6, felt a defensive switch made all the difference.
"We played man-to-man early and then changed to a zone," said O'Brien. "That really bothered them,"
The Tigers went on to take a 32-19 halftime lead and eventually expanded that to a 45-23 bulge in the third quarter. Ephrata, which shot just 31 percent from the field, got 17 points from Jeff Stucky and 10 from Greg Hewitt.
Stuckey led the Ephrata rebounders with 12.
Quincy's Ruben Garcia canned 21 points, including three three-point shots and 14 points in the fourth period. Kelly Barnett netted 10 points and hauled in 13 rebounds. Brad Sauber had 10 points and nine rebounds.
Quincy (13-9) - House 6, Phelps 2, Garcia 21, Sauber 10, Barnett 10, Majer, Toevs 2.
Ephrata (23-0) - O'Brien, Hagy 24, Stucky 17, Cagle 9, Hewitt 10, Buchmann 4, Nguyen, Webb, Whallon, K. Howe, R. Howe.
Quincy ------------ 12 19 27 51
Ephrata ------------ 22 32 45 64
Officials: Doug Carter and George Webster

***************************************************************************

Okanogan 59, Lake Roosevelt 57
Game 9. (Loser out)
At Chelan, WA

All Jon Roberts could think of was "just staying cool."
And that's exactly what the low-scoring wingman from Okanogan did Tuesday night, sinking both ends of a one-and-one opportunity with four seconds left to give the Bulldogs a thrilling win over Lake Roosevelt.
Roberts' free-throw broke a string of 10 straight misses for the Bulldogs' senior, including one earlier in the game.
The loss eliminated Lake Roosevelt from the North Central District A boys basketball tournament, ending the Raiders season with a ledger of 16-7.
The Raiders still had a shot at a win, but Marty Stanley's desperation three-point try at the buzzer sailed too high and hit a light fixture. The ball fell to the court, well short of its intended target.
"That was a big one," said Okanogan coach Mike Gilmore. "(Lake Roosevelt) was looking a little panicky with the ball at the end."
The Raiders had a 57-53 lead with 1:35 to go after Mike Schilling connected on a baseline shot.  But things unraveled for the Raiders in the final minute as the misfired on four shots from the field.  Cecilio Wilson missed the front end of a one-and-one (rebounded by Roberts) and Stanley committed a turnover right after Okanogan's Carl Middleton had thrown the ball away to play with 18 seconds to play.
Okanogan, on the other hand, couldn't miss in the final minutes.  The Bulldogs made their last three field-goal tries, including Eric Merriman's shot from the side with 48 seconds left which tied the game at 57-all.
What made the Okanogan effort even more impressive was the Bulldogs were missing starting 6-1 post Pat Garred, out since last week on a disciplinary suspension.  Even with Garred and his 16 points per-game average in the lineup, the Bulldogs had lost two previous games this season to the Raiders.
The Bulldogs were able to make up for is loss with superior play inside play by 6-4 Jim Webster (21 points, 13 rebounds) and on the perimeter by the do-everything wing Merriman (19 points, 11 assists).  Webster and Merriman each had six points in the final period.
Lake Roosevelt coach Tom Johnson said there was "a lot of pushing and shoving inside," which had a direct effect on his big man Schilling.  But he added, "It would be easy to blame the ref, but we didn't do a lot of things.  Shooting the ball was our not our strength."
Johnson defended his policy of playing his entire bench, especially in the third period when he had as many as four starters sitting.  "We have talented kids all the way through," he said.
Schilling paced the Raiders with 20 points.  He had six points in the fourth period, getting off just three shots.
Brian Jenn added 10 points for Lake Roosevelt.
Lake Roosevelt (16-7) - Stanley, Wilson 2, Rey 8, Schilling 20, Palmer 6, Clark, Garvin, Thomas 4, Patrick 2, Whyrick 5, Jenn 10, Adrian.
Okanogan (13-10) - Roberts 6, Perkins 2, Middleton 9, Skirko 2, Webster 21, Merriman 19, Swallom.
Lake Roosevelt ------------ 18 34 47 57
Okanogan ------------ 11 27 43 59
Officials: Mike Lampe & Dave Michel

***************************************************************************

Omak 41, Quincy 36
Game 10. (Loser out)
At Chelan, WA


Quincy (13-10) - House 5, Sauber 9, Garcia 13, Barnett 9, Phelps, Toevs, Patton.
Omak (12-11) - Staggs 8, Miller 13, Clark 2, Atkins 2, Troy Hamon 14, Harrison 2.
Quincy ------------ 12 23 31 36
Omak ------------ 11 22 32 41
Officials: Stan Evenhus & Jerry Heilig
Field Goals: Quincy 15-36 (.395); Omak 17-38 (.447).
Free Throws: Quincy 5-10 (.500); Omak 5-11 (.445)
Three Point Goals: Quincy (Garcia); Omak 2 (Staggs and Miller).
Rebounds: Quincy 21; Omak 23.
Turnovers: Quincy 8; Omak 8.

***************************************************************************

Omak 46, Okanogan 43
Game 11. (Loser out)
At Eastmont High School

Omak coach Darryl Moulton called it a lifesaver.  He could call some deadeye free throw shooting a season saver as well.
The Pioneers sank 16-of-18 free throws for all of their fourth-quarter points to escape with a close win over Okanogan Friday in a boys North Central District A basketball tournament loser-out contest at Eastmont High.
"Those free-throws were lifesavers," said Moulton. "I just told (the Omak players that Okanogan is) going to foul you. Be a man and make them."
That a team could pull out a win in a close, pressure-packed game without a field goal in the final quarter is a testament to some amazing free throw shooting.
The Pioneers had their nine-point third-quarter lead trimmed to 30-29 in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter.  From that point on, Jay Staggs went 6-for-6 from the free throw line.  Troy Hamon 4-for-4, Brent Harrison 3-for-4 and Clay Atkins 3-for-4.
Omak nailed six straight foul shots for a 36-29 lead, but Okanogan trimmed the difference to three points on three occasions in the final 1:07.  Each time it was Staggs who built up the lead for Omak - two foul shots each with 31 seconds to play, 17 seconds and 3 seconds.
Okanogan had answered each spurt with a rally of its own. Jim Webster had seven of his game-high 20 points in the fourth quarter and Jon Roberts hit two big buckets in the final period.
Geoff Miller game Omak a boost with his team-high 16 points, including three 3-point baskets in the third quarter, and Staggs had 12.
Okanogan (13-11) - Roberts 8, Perkins, Middleton 4, Skirko 3, Webster 20, Merriman 8.
Omak (13-11) - Staggs 12, Harrison 3, Parker, Miller 16, Clark 2, Atkins 5, Troy Hamom 6, Kuehner 2.
Okanogan

------------

10 19 27 43
Omak

------------

13 20 30 48
Officials:  Pat Flannery & Mark Iksic

***************************************************************************

Cashmere 67, Ephrata 66 (3OT)
Game 12. (Championship, winner to state)
At Eastmont High School

The tradition continues while the powerhouse looks for a key to the back door.
Cashmere, the most successful boys basketball team in North Central District A history, is heading once again to the State A tournament after a draining three-overtime thriller over Ephrata Friday night in the district championship game.
While Cashmere makes plans for its trip to the Tacoma Dome, Ephrata will try to secure a berth to its third consecutive state tournament.  The Tigers, who lost their first game of the season Friday, will face Omak Saturday, 8:30pm at the Eastmont gym for the second berth.
Cashmere will make its 16th appearance at the state A tournament.  The string includes five championships, the last in 1986, and a fourth place finish last year.  The Bulldogs also lead the District record book in appearances with (25) and wins (42).
For Ephrata, Saturday will offer a chance to get back on track. The Tigers won all 22 games this season, plus an exhibition game, heading into Friday's district title game.  The Tigers hadn't lost since last year's state tournament.
Champions are crowned each year in the boys North Central District A basketball tournament.
But few previous tournaments could match the drama, tension and excitement of Cashmere's triple overtime thriller.
Guard Neil Johnson scored all six of Cashmere's points in the third overtime, including the winning points on two free throws with four seconds to play.
Mike Cagle's 3-point shot at the buzzer hit the rim and bounced away in the second-ranked Ephrata's last-gasp to retain its unbeaten record.
"I've never gone to triple overtime before," said Cashmere coach Steve Biehn. "I guess there is a first time for everything."
Cashmere got the win by everybody doing his job. Everybody consisted of five players until leading scorer Mark Milner fouled out in the first overtime, and only six Bulldogs played in the 41-minute long contest.
Heroes and goats were born minute by minute until Johnson finally ended the suspense with his heroics in the third overtime.
Cagle's driving lay-in and free throw opened the scoring in the final overtime, then Johnson went to work, drilling an 18-footer from the wing and a reverse lay-in to put Cashmere up 65-64 with 46 seconds left.
Jeff Stucky answered with a lay-in with 29 seconds to play, and after a pair of steals, Cashmere got the ball out of bounds with eight seconds left.  Johnson got the ball 15 feet out on the baseline and drove to the hoop, where a pair of Tigers fouled him.
That sent Johnson to the free throw line and he swished both tries to give Cashmere the amazing victory.
"I felt pretty good. I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be," said Johnson.
The junior put together an incredible game, 21 points on 7-for-11shooting from the field, and 7-for-8 on free throws, plus 10 rebounds.  The scoring output led both teams and was a career-high.
The Bulldogs also got big games out of the rest of the iron five - Milner pumped in 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Brent Paine had 12 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots.  Jon Day hit 4-of-5 shots for 10 points and Allen Kenoyer made a steal and lay-in for a key basket in the second overtime.
The Bulldogs needed all of that to hold back an Ephrata squad that's used to winning.  The Tigers have now won 48 games and lost twice over the last two seasons.
Stucky (19 points, eight rebounds, five blocked shots), Cagle (18 points, six rebounds), Dale Hagy (12 points), and Ron Howes (11 points) took turns bringing Ephrata back in the game.
"We had enough opportunities, enough chances," said Ephrata coach Marty O'Brien.  "I thought the kids played hard, they just didn't play smart.
"Right now, we just have to make sure we come back and play our game Saturday."
Cashmere (15-8) - Johnson 21, Day 10, Paine 12, Kenoyer 4, Milner 20, Grams .
Ephrata (23-1) - O'Brien, Hagy 12, Stuckey 19, Cagle 18, Hewitt 6, R. Howes 11, Whallon.
Cashmere

------------

20 31---39 48---55 61---67
Ephrata

------------

18 28---37 48---55 61---66
Officials: George Webster & Stan Evenhus

***************************************************************************

Ephrata 56, Omak 51
Game 13. (Winner to state, loser out)
At Eastmont High School

Ephrata's experience in winning boys basketball games paid off Saturday night, qualifying them for another trip to Tacoma.
The Tigers shook off their only loss of the season, a triple-overtime defeat in the district championship game on Friday, to sneak past Omak at Eastmont High securing a berth in the State "A" tournament starting Wednesday at the Tacoma Dome.
Ephrata took second place in the North Central District "A" tournament  with a 24-1 record.
"I know in our hearts we didn't want to go in number 2," said Ephrata coach Marty O'Brien.
"The biggest thing is these kids belong in the state tournament and will play in the state tournament."
The Tigers' winning tradition paid off against a tenacious Omak squad. The outcome was in doubt until the final five seconds.
Omak battled back from a nine-point fourth quarter deficit to creep to within one point, 52-51, with 37 seconds to play after Geoff Miller nailed a three-point basket.
Ephrata tried to run out the clock and nearly lost possession with 13 seconds left, but the ball went out of bounds off an Omak player.
Mike Cagle was fouled on the inbounds play and he sank two free throws. Since it was ruled an intentional foul, the Tigers retained possession and Greg Hewitt was fouled seconds later. He swished both foul shots with five seconds remaining to clinch the win.
Winning is something Ephrata has done plenty of lately. The Tigers won 26 of 27 games last year, that lone loss coming in the first round of the state tournament. Add to that a second straight unbeaten regular season and back-to-back Caribou Trail League championships.
"I don't think we got the recognition (we deserved) this season," O'Brien said.
Still, coming back from Friday's tough loss made the game against a fired-up Omak squad all the tougher. Plus Ephrata played without its leading scorer, Dale Hagy, who sat out with an injured ankle.
"When you haven't felt a loss in a long time, it's psychologically tough to come back and win the next game," O'Brien said. "It's a tribute to the kids."
Ephrata couldn't look past Omak, however. The Pioneers surprised Ephrata by scrapping its patient, ball control attack and going with a more upbeat offense.
"We felt we had nothing to lose, so I told the players, let's go out and play basketball," said Omak coach Darryl Moulton. "We felt we could catch Ephrata emotionally drained from Friday's game.
"I'm just proud of my kids for having the year we had."
With Hagy out for Ephrata, seniors Hewitt and Jeff Stucky stepped forward to pick up the scoring slack. Hewitt sank 11-of-13 shots for a career-high 25 points, and Stucky tossed in 16 points.
"That was Hewitt's finest game ever," said O'Brien. "I told him he had to be more dominant with Dale Hagy out, we needed 20 points from him."  
Ephrata (24-1) - O'Brien 4, Stucky 16, Cagle 9, Hewitt 25, R. Howes 2, Whallon.
Omak (13-12) - Staggs 15, Miller 19, Clark 8, Atkins 4, Hamon 5, Harrison, Parker.
Ephrata

------------

14 24 37 56
Omak

------------

14 22 33 51
Officials: Dave Lavender and Jack McMillan

***************************************************************************

Tournament Scoring Leaders

Player Team Total Points Games Played Average
Jim Webster Okanogan 81 4 20.3
Dale Hagy Ephrata 59 3 19.7
Mark Milner Cashmere 56 3 18.7
Ruben Garcia Quincy 56 3 18.7
Jeff Stucky Ephrata 72 4 18.0
Geoff Miller Omak 87 5 17.4
Kevin Rieke Cascade 34 2 17.0
Neil Johnson Cashmere 48 3 16.0
Vern Esplin Chelan 30 2 15.0
Brent Paine Cashmere 44 3 14.7
Eric Merriman Okanogan 58 4 14.5
Elia Ala'ilima-Daley Cascade 29 2 14.5
Mike Schilling Lake Roosevelt 38 3 12.7
Greg Hewitt Ephrata 50 4 12.5
Daryl McCollough Chelan 22 2 11.0
Jon Day Cashmere 31 3 10.3