Freeman repels Brewster, Lancers top Okanogan

MOSES LAKE - Leads for the Caribou Trail League boy's basketball teams against Northeast A foes vanished Saturday in the first-ever 1A Region 4 Boys Basketball Tournament.
Okanogan led until midway through the third period before the Liberty Lancers took control and posted a 54-46 victory sending the Lancers on the state tournament.
Brewster also led at the half before Freeman rallied for a 55-51 win. Both Freeman and Brewster are headed to state.

Championship Game

Freeman 55, Brewster 51

The Bears scored on their opening four possessions and led at halftime.
Cody Gunn drained three 3-pointers in the first half. Ryan Brown added six points, including a 15-footer just before halftime to put the Bears back on top.
The Scotties (22-2) owned the lead nearly the entire second half. A very efficient fourth quarter sealed the win. The Scotties hit 6-of-9 field goals, all layins or rebound baskets.
"We knew they did a good job of setting screens and making cuts," Brewster coach Tim Taylor said. "When we made our runs, we stopped them. When they made their runs, we were a step behind."
The Bears (15-7) rallied late, fueled by 3-pointers from freshman Mac Robert Gebbers and Gunn, who finished with 16. Gebbers was then fouled on a three-point attempt and made all three free-throw for the last of his nine points.
After a Scottie's turnover, Brown hit an inside shot. It left Brewster down 52-51 with 20 seconds remaining. Freeman closed out their 21st straight win by hitting 3-of-4 free throws.
"If our kids stay in our offense, that's the key for us," Freeman coach Mike Thacker said. "Sometimes the kids get out of it. We went to state last year but we had six seniors. This is a young team and a game like this will help them."
Jeff Hyndman led Freeman with 15 points, followed by the 12 of Bill DePell. Tanner Townsend added 11.

Winner #3 to state, loser out

Liberty 54, Okanogan 46

The Bulldogs owned an early lead, but the Lancers got two big breaks.
In a matter of 30 seconds, junior guard Bryan Attridge was whistled for his second foul and senior post Conrad Merkley reinjured his knee.
"Right then, our leading scorer and a big part of our depth was gone," Okanogan coach Chris Ferenz said.
Merkley suffered his third knee injury of the season while scrambling for an errant pass. The senior, averaging 13 points a game, missed all of last season due to a knee injury and was sidelined for parts of this season.
Instead, Okanogan (15-9) went outside. Junior guard Kyle Hill drained a trio of 3-pointers in the first half, helping Okanogan take a 23-13 lead late in the first half.
Hill had thee more treys in the second half but it wasn't enough to offset Liberty's 14-2 spurt during the third quarter. The Lancers drained four treys in that run, forcing Okanogan out of its tough zone defense.
"Yes, I was glad to see Okanogan get out of that zone." Liberty coach Dave Baird said.
The Lancers (17-8) hit 9-of-11 free throws in the last two minutes.
Henry Smith led Liberty's foul shooters, draining four straight to finish with 19 points. Jake Holling added 13, including two treys in the third quarter.