Bi-District champs fall to Eagles at Regionals

WENATCHEE – The Bi-District 5/6 champion Brewster Bears saw their 13-game winning streak broken by the Life Christian Academy Eagles in a 78-65 loss in the 2B regional playoffs at Wenatchee High School last Saturday, Feb. 28.
It was only the Bears’ third defeat this season, the other two coming against 1A Seattle Academy in a non-league game on Dec. 27, and league rival Lake Roosevelt on Jan. 7.
The game against Life Christian started with promise for the Bears who matched the Eagles point-for-point to a 16-all first quarter tie, thanks to a last-second three-point bucket by Cade Gebbers.
Through the second quarter Life Christian gained gradually to take a five-point 31-26 lead at halftime.
The third quarter was the critical turning point that determined the game’s outcome. The Eagles had their best quarter scoring 22 points while Brewster could only manage 11, resulting in a 53-37 deficit that would leave the Bears with a 16-point disadvantage to overcome against a team that was more than a match for the Bears where it came to protecting a lead that large. In the final eight minutes Brewster needed to score four points for every two by the Eagles just to tie the game. While the Bears did outscore their rivals 28-25 down the stretch, it was not enough.
Brewster moves on to meet Kettle Falls in a must-win game at 7:15 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, in the Spokane Arena. No. 12 Kettle Falls defeated No. 13 Darrington, 47-35, to advance to the state round. If the Bears get by the Bulldogs, they face No. 3 Toutle Lake at 7:15 p.m., Thursday, March 5. A win over the Ducks will send Brewster into the final four against either No. 2 St. Georges, No. 8 White Swan, or No. 9 Colfax at 9 p.m., Friday, March 6. The state championship game will be played at 3 p.m., Saturday. March 7.