YAKIMA – Lynden used a 21-3 run in the first half, which ultimately led to a 50-30 victory over Clarkston in the semifinals of the 2A state tournament.
Buckets were hard to come by in the first quarter, and the Lions held a slight 5-4 lead after eight minutes of play. The second quarter was a different story as the stifling defense of the two-time defending state champions was on display as the Bantams shot a dismal 2-for-25 in the first half.
Lynden led 24-9 at the break.
It wasn’t just the on-ball defense that dominated for the Lions, as they also outrebounded Clarkston 53-33. A big reason for that was the combination of strength, timing and relentlessness of junior guard Finley Parcher. She hauled in a game-high 22 rebounds to go with her 21 points. She also connected on 7-of-10 from the field and 7-of-9 from the foul line, while also leading her team with three assists and three steals.
Nearly four months after being named the Most Valuable Player of the 2A state volleyball tournament, which was also in the Yakima SunDome, Parcher is looking to capture the same award for basketball for the second year in a row.
Senior guard Degitu Bowler came off the bench to score eight points, which included a three-pointer to kick off the scoring in the second quarter for the Lions.
Forward Payton Mills grabbed 11 rebounds, and forward Rian Stephan blocked two shots. The two seniors also scored six points each for Lynden.
The Lions will play for their third straight 2A state championship tomorrow at 5:00 tomorrow. They will face the winner of tonight’s game between Ellensburg and Prosser.
Lynden 50, Clarkston 30 CLA 4 5 9 12 - 30 LYN 5 19 9 17 - 50
Clarkston: N/A. Lynden: Bowler 8, Hermanutz 4, Nyhoff 0, Newcomb 2, Slayton 0, R. Stephan 6, I. Stephan 3, Somma 0, Basart 0, Parcher 21, Mills 6, Dykstra 0.
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