YAKIMA – Despite falling short in two games at the SunDome, the Woodland boys basketball team won’t go home with a bad taste in its mouth.
Rather, the Beavers want seconds. They were thinking about a return trip shortly after a 50-45 loss Friday to Wapato ended their run at the Class 2A state tournament.
“I think we can get back here next year,” junior center Bryce Mulder said. “This was a great experience. A lot of teams are home not playing basketball right now. We’re getting good experience with our young guys.”
Woodland (17-10) reached the state quarterfinals for the first time in 31 years. That’s a note senior guard Hayden Huddleston is proud to exit the high school stage on.
“Just making it to the Dome, that was always the ultimate goal and my dream,” he said. “Yeah it hurts, but it’s a good place to end.”
After a lopsided loss to defending champion Clarkston on Thursday, Woodland started fast against Wapato (20-5). Tanner Sixberry scored nine points in the first quarter, which ended with the Beavers ahead 19-13.
But turnovers plagued Woodland for a second consecutive game. The Beavers had 10 in the first half, with ended with the teams tied at 27.
Wapato, which is south of Yakima, turned many of those turnovers into fast-break scoring chances.
“A team like that is so scrappy and quick,” Woodland coach Jason Buffum said. “We really had to value the possession.”
In the second half, Wapato shifted its defense to take away Sixberry, who had 14 of his 15 points in the first half. The Beavers trailed 42-33 after three quarters.
But Tyler Flanagan and Huddleston hit back-to-back 3-pointers to open the fourth quarter. Huddleston’s fourth 3-pointer of the game pulled Woodland within 46-45 with 2:16 to play.
Woodland missed a chance to take the lead, but had the ball down 48-45 with 22 seconds to play.
A play was drawn for Huddleston to shoot a 3-pointer in the corner, but he was tightly defended. His pass went inside to Mulder, who missed with five seconds to play.
Wapato was fouled with two seconds to play. But in a show of how the basketball gods weren’t on Woodland’s side, the first one-and-one free throw ended up wedged between the basket and backboard. That forced a jump ball, which went to Wapato.
“It’s tough to get here and have a taste where we’re a couple plays from getting some hardware,” Buffum said. “The kids I’ve had here over the past three years have achieved a lot, both as individuals and as a team.”
WAPATO 50, WOODLAND 45
WOODLAND (17-10) – Bryce Mulder 9, McKay Flanagan 0, Hayden Huddleston 14, Wyatt Harsh 0, Tanner Sixberry 15, Devin Rice 0, Palmer Dinehart 0, Tristan Thomas 0, Christian Mendez 2, Tyler Flanagan 5. Totals 17 (6) 5-8 45.
WAPATO (20-5) – Caleb Cordova 0, Hunter Jacob 18, Rodrigo Campos 0, Jordan Blodgett 15, Noah Patterson 4, Javier Vela 6, Antwaan Acosta 4, Manuel Degadillo 3. Totals 20 (1) 9-13 50.
Woodland 19 8 6 12 — 45
Wapato 13 14 15 8 — 50
