Boys basketball: La Center 62, King’s Way Christian 56

The Wildcats made their free throws in the end and now just needs one win out of the next three games to claim the 1A Trico League title outright for the first time since 2001.

Hunter Ecklund scored 17 points, and Matt Bryant had 12 points and seven rebounds for La Center (11-6, 7-0 Trico).

“We were 1 of 22 on 3s and still managed to hang on thanks to good drives to the rim at the end,” La Center coach Jeremy Ecklund.

Khalfani Cason had 18 points and Gage Koenders 14 for King’s Way, which last year shared the league title with La Center.

LA CENTER 62, KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 56

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN — Khalfani Cason 18, Kobi Cason 5, Kaden Lukas 7, Gage Koenders 14, Kefentse Cason 4, Bryce Dodge 0, Brady Metz 8. Totals 22 (9) 3-4 56.

LA CENTER — Colby Shaw 0, Saige Keep 6, Evan Norris 4, Avery Seter 18, Matt Bryant 12, Hunter Ecklund 17, Mason Weaver 0, Wyatt Siebert 4, Jack Hiller 0. Totals 23 (1) 14-17 62.

King’s Way 17 12 16 11–56

La Center 17 12 14 18–62

JV — La Center 57-47