Kienan Walter had 33 points and 12 rebounds as the Knights hit 30 free throws in a win at the SunDome Shootout in Yakima.
“(White River) picked Kienan up full court and just rode him all game,” King’s Way Christian coach Daven Harmeling said. “So we just kept feeding him the ball, and they kept sending him to the line.”
Walter connected on 15 of 20 free throws as the Knights went 30 for 36 as a team.
Skyler Freeman and Kyle Gonzales also had double-doubles. Freeman had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Gonzales has 12 and 10.
“Hitting the board was a real point of emphasis for us,” Harmeling said. “We controlled the glass on both ends of the floor and connected from the line when we got there.”
Harmeling also credited assistant coach Kal Bay with designing some new offensive sets to aid the Knights.
King’s Way faces Anacortes on Wednesday in their second game at the Yakima SunDome.
“There weren’t as many fans here as there are at state, and the environment wasn’t as intense,” Harmeling said. “But having played here at state last year, our kids understand the significance of playing here and getting comfortable with the surroundings.”
KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 63, WHITE RIVER 54
KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN (6-4) — Kefentse Cason 0, Darion Lycksell 0, Skyler Freeman 13, Karter Graves 1, Joe Mills 4, Kyle Gonzales 12, Kienan Walter 33, Preston Danberg 0. Totals 14 (5) 30-36 63.
WHITE RIVER — Coogan 0, Marmon 0, Mills 5, Howard 0, Larson 9, Cowley 6, Meadows 7, Weyland 15, Troux 9, Leskep 3. Totals 22 (4) 8-14 54.
King’s Way 14 14 13 22–63
White River 7 19 14 14–54
