YAKIMA – The Lions used their overall height and aggression to defeat Prosser 62-44 in the semifinal round of the 2A state tournament.
The Mustangs struggled to get the ball inside early and convert as Lynden’s length proved to be a detriment.
Prosser was able to hit a couple of three-pointers, but found itself down 15-8 after the first quarter.
Lynden started the second quarter on a 7-0 run, but the outside shooting of the Mustangs kept them in the game. Prosser was unable to connect on a bucket inside the three-point line in the entire first half, but was able to hang with the undefeated Lions through 16 minutes and was down just 36-21 at the half.
The Mustangs played much better in the third quarter after making some adjustments, and they were able to attack the basket, pick up fouls and capitalize on second chance points. However the third quarter for Lynden was sparked by junior guard Degitu Bowler who came off the bench to score a pair of three-pointers, and Lynden led 47-31 after three quarters of play.
Junior forward Payton Mills scored six points over the first two minutes of the fourth quarter, and even though Prosser made more outside shots, the night would belong to the Lions.
Mills shot 8-of-9 from the field and led Lynden with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Bowler added 11 points and was 3-of-4 from downtown. Sophomre guard Finley Parcher added 17 points and eight rebounds.
Lynden (27-0) will play for its second straight state championship tomorrow at 7:00 against either Deer Park or Ellensburg.
Lynden 62, Prosser 44
PRO 8 13 10 13 - 44
LYN 15 21 11 15 - 62
Prosser: N/A.
Lynden: Bowler 11, Hermanutz 7, Nyhoff 0, Newcomb 0, Slayton 0, R. Stephan 4, I. Stephan 0, Anderson 0, York 5, Parcher 17, Basart 0, Mills 18.
