Jackson Esary had 23 points and six rebounds as Kalama beat Columbia-Burbank 61-57 in the quarterfinals Thursday of the 2B boys basketball state tournament in Spokane.
The Chinooks will play fourth-seeded Brewster in Friday’s semifinal at 7:15 p.m.
Kalama shot 48 percent (13 for 27) in the first half, comparted to 30 percent for Columbia (8 for 27), as the Chinooks took a 33-25 lead into halftime.
But the Coyotes rallied in the fourth quarter, getting with 58-57 with 1:37 to go.
Columbia had the ball with a chance to take the lead, but Esary’s steal-and-score helped seal the win with 27 seconds left.
Nate Meyer added 14 points and nine rebounds for Kalama, and Max Cox added 12 points.
KALAMA 61, COLUMBIA-BURBANK 57
COLUMBIA-BURBANK — Parker Nelson 7, Tristan Frimodt 9, Quincy Scott 18, Michael Lenke 9, Elijah Kinsey 6, Jonathan Palacios 6, Crew Pariera 2, Axyl Carter 0. Totals 21-54 (6-25) 9-13 57.
