YAKIMA — Maybe it was the state tournament pressure.
Perhaps it was the open arena that is so different to the eyes of a shooter used to cozy high school gyms.
Hockinson’s players might never pinpoint what caused their shooting woes at the 2A state tournament. A second-straight cold performance Friday saw the Hawks’ season end with their first lopsided loss, a 64-40 defeat to Clarkston.
“No excuses,” senior Alan Haagen said. “Today, that’s never happened. Even when we’ve shot poorly, we’ve been in games in the fourth quarter.”
The unideal end to the season was tough to swallow for the Hawks, especially for seven seniors.
The players and coaches were still in their Sundome locker room 30 minutes after their game concluded.
When they emerged, tears were still in most of their eyes.
“Our goal was to make it to the state tournament,” senior Jack Klodt said. “A lot of it revolved around basketball, but we also built so many friendships. These are experiences we’re going to remember forever.
“The first words out of the coach’s mouth, all the seniors just broke down.”
Klodt was the only Hockinson player not mired in a shooting malaise at the tournament. He scored a team-high 17 points, equaling his performance in Thursday’s quarterfinal loss to Lynden.
It would be hard to imagine Hockinson’s shooting could be colder than in the first half of Thursday’s game, when the Hawks shot 19 percent through the first two quarters.
But it was. Hockinson made 4 of 24 field goals during the first half Friday (16.7 percent).
All that kept Hockinson in the game early was its free-throw shooting. The Hawks were 10 for 12 from the line in the first half.
Leading 34-18 at the break, Clarkston began the second half on a 9-0 run to snuff out any Hockinson hope of a comeback.
Hockinson finished the game 12 for 50 from the field (24 percent).
The Hawks had the misfortune of facing two of the best teams in state. After losing to No. 3-ranked Lynden, Hockinson faced a Clarkston team that entered the postseason ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press 2A poll.
The Bantams (22-4) were upset by Lake Washington in the quarterfinals. They will face Mark Morris in the game to decide fourth and sixth place.
CLARKSTON 64, HOCKINSON 40
CLARKSTON — Kage Sobotta 15, Depaul Blunt 7, Davian Sobotta 2, Jett Sobotta 3, Travis Hansen 0, Ryan Adams 3, Trevon Allen 4, Jake Dwyer 6, Trevor Sperry 6, Carson Holman 2, Taylor Sanders 0, CJ Johnson 16. Totals 23-50 (6-17) 12-15 64.
HOCKINSON — Taylor Rennaker 3, Nate Gunderson 4, Jack Klodt 17, Alan Haagen 3, Jared Broer 0, Austin Steimle 2, Taylor Ellensohn 3, Littleton Davidson 3, Jess Krahn 0, Brian Prigmore 4, Casey Turner 0, Logan Klodt 1. Totals 12-50 (1-13) 15-24.
Clarkston 19 15 18 12–64
Hockinson 5 13 10 12–40
