TUMWATER — The 2015 season came to a close Saturday afternoon for the La Center Wildcats as they lost 60-42 to Lynden Christian in the 1A state regional playoffs.
“It’s obviously very upsetting to have it go out this way,” said senior Will Rice who led the Wildcats with nine points.
While it was a losing effort, one Wildcat player reached a milestone late in the game.
With his seven points, Wildcat guard Wyatt Aguirre notched his 1,000th career point in his high school career.
“It’s bitter sweet,” Aguirre said. “I’m sad that we lost the game, but I’m glad I got the 1,000th point. I don’t know.”
Said La Center head coach Jon Schroeder: “It’s always tough to exit the playoffs, I don’t care what level you’re at.”
But both seniors Rice and Aguirre were able to step back and be happy for the journey, though they didn’t get where they wanted at the end of Saturday’s regional game.
“I’m glad I had a career, and I wouldn’t have had it with any other guys,” said Rice. “Great season, we put a lot of work into it. I’m just blessed about the journey that we did and get in the final 16.”
“I would not trade this senior season for the world,” Aguirre said. “I love these guys. I just had fun.”
Despite the loss, there was some solace taken in winning the final quarter.
According to assistant coach Kris Small, it’s what the Wildcats have shown all season.
“I just think it’s the way our guys come to practice, they always work,” Small said. “There’s never any quit in what they do. There’s been many games over the time we’ve been here where there is no give up.”
The Lynden Christian Lyncs executed their game plan to perfection, pressuring the ball with a hybrid zone look in the half court.
And when they made shots, the Lyncs pressured full court.
Lynden Christian’s Zach Roetcisoender led everybody with 25 points, doing a little bit of everything.
Lynden was also very physical on the defensive end which forced the Wildcats into compromising situations offensively.
With Roetcisoender and mobile big man Cody Fransen, who scored 16 points and played the top of the Lyncs’ 3-2 zone, it was a dominant win.
“Things just didn’t go the way we wanted to,” Schroeder said.
LYNDEN CHRISTIAN 60, LA CENTER 42
LYNDEN CHRISTIAN — Zach Roetcisoender 25, Cody Fransen 16, Jake Poeg 11, Blake Mellema 2, Grant Rubbert 3, Tanner Bouma 3, Jake VanBerkum 0, Josiah Meppelink 0. Totals 26 (4) 4-9 60.
LA CENTER — Will Rice 9, Wyatt Aguirre 7, Chase Davison 7, Brody Seter 6, Jake Wise 5, Dalton Morgan 4, Max Hiller 2, Sawyer Bierscheid 2. Totals 13 (3) 11-19 42.
Lynden Christian 18 21 15 6—60
La Center 9 17 6 10—42
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