Bryant’s career night helps Wildcats to 88-78 Trico win

LA CENTER — By now, if you’ve watched enough La Center boys basketball games this season, a team that clinched the 1A Trico League title last week and whose next goal is a perfect league record, chances are you know who the newcomer is to the program.

But for the casual observer, it’s tough to figure out because of how well-balanced the Wildcats are, and how well the junior fits into his new team.

It’s Matt Bryant, a King’s Way High transfer, who happened to have his best game of the season with a career-high 29 points in a 88-78 victory over White Salmon to keep the Wildcats’ quest for a perfect league record in tact. He’s a first-year starter at La Center, and with the exception of Tuesday’s Senior Night, he’s started every game this season.

Coach Jeremy Ecklund said while an initial learning curve and growing pains Bryant’s blended in nicely with a team that’s seeking back-to-back state trophies since it won three straight in the mid-1990s. Two of those trophies were state championships.

But Bryant and his family didn’t move to La Center without knowing anyone. Bryant grew up playing basketball with a few current Wildcats, including Avery Seter (12 points Tuesday) and Colby Shaw (five) in the Vancouver-based Cagers Basketball.

“It wasn’t too hard to get into a rhythm with the team,” Bryant said. “It’s a really good fit and they’re happy for me to be here.”

Bryant, a 6-foot-3 small forward, had half of the Wildcats’ 10 3-pointers as they turn toward the postseason after clinching their first 1A Trico League title outright since the 2001-02 season last week. Tuesday’s result, though — and how it was done, too — is another reason why Ecklund believes his team has the potential to make another deep run in the postseason.

Hunter Ecklund, the team’s leading scorer, finished with 13 points, but Bryant benefited from dribble-drive kick outs by Ecklund and Seter to an open Bryant often in the corner. He finished 5 of 8 from 3-point range.

“We don’t need him to attack,” Coach Ecklund said. “He sits there with his feet planted and guys are going to find him, and he can hit that shot.”

While Tuesday’s outcome was the same as the teams’ first meeting in the Gorge, the point spread was much closer from the 46-point victory Jan. 12. La Center leads the Trico in defensive scoring, allowing 56 points per game; the 78 was the most its allowed to a league opponent this season.

White Salmon (8-9, 2-7) used an 11-0 run midway through the third quarter to cut La Center’s lead to 54-51.

That’s when outside shooting came up clutch. Seter hit back-to-back 3-pointers and a putback by Bryant quickly made it a 62-51 lead. White Salmon, paced by Jonathan Douthit’s team-high 26 points, never got closer than eight the rest of the way.

Now, the Wildcats (12-7, 9-0) are one win away from a perfect Trico League season — the next goal on their to-do checklist.

“And then go as far as we can after that,” Bryant said.

LA CENTER 88, WHITE SALMON 78

WHITE SALMON — Kyle Dean 6, William Cross 18, Leo Cruerrero 0, Jonathan Douthit 26, Alexis Sanchez 0, Lewie Rowien 7, Chandler Bucklin 2, Reed Davis 13, Tylan Webster 2, Greg Haner 0, Trenton Howard 0, Oscar Kirkwood 0. Totals 29 (3) 17-26 78.

LA CENTER — Shaydon Amatutz 2, Colby SHaw 5, Saige Keep 6, Colin Obot 6, Evan Norris 4, Avery Seter 12, Matt Bryant 29, Evan Honore 2, Mason Weaver 0, Wyatt Siebert 7, Jack Hiller 2. Totals 32 (10) 14-24 88.

WS: 14 20 22 22 – 78
LC: 17 28 19 24 – 88