Monday, March 18, 2024

Bears squeak by plucky Ducks in close Regional contest

On to State at the Spokane Arena

Posted

EAST WENATCHEE – They had to work for it, but the Brewster Bears varsity basketball team greased the skids to state with a win over a tenacious Toutle Lake team in 2B Regional playoff action at Eastmont High School last Saturday, Feb. 23.

Unlike the first time both teams met at the SunDome Invitational Tournament during the Christmas break last December, the Bears did not blow out Toutle Lake by 22 points this time around and had their hands full just staying a few points ahead of the Ducks at every stop throughout the game. Brewster had its largest lead, a 10-point, 12-2 margin early in the first quarter that was just a happy memory by the time the second quarter came into view.

Toutle Lake tied the game for the first of five times, 17-all, midway through the second quarter, 34-all midway through the third, and 40-all at the start of the fourth. Behind the three-point shooting of senior guard Logan Grabenhorst who connected on seven treys, Toutle Lake held a brief lead at three stages of the first half and threatened down to the final minute of the final quarter. Sophomore Cade Gebbers combined a bucket and free-throw into a three-point play with 30 seconds left on the clock that put Brewster up, 66-63, through the buzzer.

Grabenhorst led all scorers with 25 points and senior 6’5” post Mike Adams close behind with 23.

Gebbers paced Brewster with 24 points including six clutch three-pointers when the Bears needed them most. Corey Jarrell, recovering from a sprained ankle came off the bench to five key points.

Brewster advances to the State tournament and a 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 game in the Spokane Arena, against the winner of Oroville and Willapa Valley. Toutle Lake also advances to State and will face Kittitas next.

Brewster: 16-14-10-26 66

Toutle Lake: 12-12-16-23 63

Brewster scoring:

Cade Gebbers: 24

Kade Kelpman: 10

Connor Ashworth: 9

Joe Taylor: 8

Ricky Vazquez: 8

Corey Jarrell: 5

Quincy Vassar: 2

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here