Columbia Adventist on to Spokane

For the second time in three years, the Columbia Adventist boys basketball team has earned a trip to Spokane.

The Kodiaks defeated Moses Lake Christian 57-52 in overtime Saturday at Eastmont High School in East Wenatchee, advancing to the final eight of the Class 1B state tournament.

Columbia Adventist, located in Battle Ground, will play a quarterfinal game Thursday at Spokane Arena. Pairings for the tournament will be announced today.

After leading 24-15 at halftime Saturday, the Kodiaks soon found themselves in a tight game.

“We kind of dominated the first half, but hadn’t played that well,” coach Jay Pierce said. “They came out in the second half and just hit everything, and after that it went back and forth.”

With the score tied 46-46 in the final seconds of regulation, Columbia Adventist just missed the game-winner on an alley-oop play from out of bounds.

Then in overtime, the Kodiaks had to rely on their guards as post players Josh Fry was out with an ankle injury and David Irias fouled out early in the extra period.

Pierce praised the play of Evan Davies and Stephen Jardin, and Josh Rodriguez finished with a team-high 20 points.

“Our biggest key was Urijah Saenz, who harassed their leading scorer all night and just wore him out,” Pierce said.

Lowell Kirkwood finished with 20 points for Moses Lake Christian.

Now it’s off to the final eight for Columbia Adventist (19-5).

“I like my team, but we’re playing the big boys from the east side, and that’s going to be a challenge,” Pierce said. “If we play as well as we can, we can hold our own. But we struggled tonight offensively, and if we do that it could get ugly.”

COLUMBIA ADVENTIST 57, MOSES LAKE CHRISTIAN 52, OT

COLUMBIA ADVENTIST — Duane Nelson 0, Evan Davies 11, Josh Rodriguez 20, Stephen Jardin 5, Urijah Saenz 4, Franly Altamirano 3, David Irias 12, Derek Merklin 0, Josh Fry 2, Joe Reed 0. Totals 23 (1) 10-17 57.

MOSES LAKE CHRISTIAN — Alec Naccavato 6, Miller Wang 9, Austin Ray 9, Spencer McNamara 0, Kevin Cleveriga 2, Jeremy Springer 0, Lowell Kirkwood 20, Wade Godfrey 6, Noah Roberts 0, Nathan Brooks 0. Totals 19 (6) 8-17 52.

Columbia Adventist 13 11 13 9 11–57

Moses Lake Christian 5 10 19 12 6–52