Fast-starting King’s Way buries Cashmere in 1A state tournament

YAKIMA – If the King’s Way Christian boys basketball team acted like they had been here before, it’s because they have.

If the Knights looked at home in the SunDome, it’s because they felt that way.

King’s Way might have been the lower seed headed into Wednesday’s 1A state tournament game against Cashmere. But five consecutive years of reaching the SunDome meant the Knights weren’t overwhelmed.

Khalfani Cason scored 20 points as No. 11 King’s Way rode a blistering first half to a 67-52 win over No. 6 Cashmere in a loser-out game.

The Knights advance to face No. 5 Seattle Academy in the quarterfinals at 3:45 p.m. Thursday.

Reaching five consecutive state tournaments means Yakima trips have become routine for King’s Way. The Knights also play each December in the SunDome shootout, staying in the same hotel and practicing the same routine.

“We’re trying to establish that consistency to where this is our home court, or at least we feel that way when we’re here,” Knights coach Daven Harmeling said. “You have some kids who were in middle school and had traveled up here to watch it and have been waiting for their opportunity to play here.”

King’s Way also knows how to step up the intensity at this time of the season.

“I could just see a different look in their eyes in practice leading up to this game,” Harmeling said. “You kind of felt like they had this bottled up and they were just ready to let it out on the court.”

Cashmere (17-7) could barely blink before it was behind. Gage Koenders hit two 3-pointers and Cason scored five points as King’s Way led 13-2 after four minutes.

The Knights shot 57 percent in the first half, building a 39-23 halftime lead. Cason had 16 points by halftime.

“I just honestly reacted to what came to me,” Cason said. “Whether it’s a defensive stop or a quick bucket, giving our team that energy really helps us a lot.”

Cashmere sophomore Mason Landdeck entered Wednesday averaging 31.2 points per game. But the guard had a rare off night, going 5 for 26 from the field, including 0 for 15 from 3-point range, and scoring 15 points.

King’s Way forced 15 turnovers, including 11 steals, and held Cashmere to 32.8 percent from the field. Cashmere shot just 25.7 percent in the first half.

“Honestly, I would say our defense was the key,” freshman Bryson Metz said. “We really took pride in that. What coach preached coming up to this game was just defense.”

Metz is one of the few Knights getting his first taste of the state tournament. He wasn’t fazed, scoring 10 points and orchestrating the offense at point guard for 27 minutes.

“It’s just an amazing experience,” Metz said. “It’s a relief after all the hard work that we put in this season. it’s all worth it.”

Brady Metz, Bryson’s older brother, scored 16 points.

Now, King’s Way is in the quarterfinals for the fourth time in the past five years. Seattle Academy beat the Knights 58-50 on Dec. 1, but King’s Way is now a different team than the one that started the season 2-5.

Thursday, The Knights will be comfortable.

But not too comfortable.

“Honestly, we’ve always been the underdog,” Cason said. “Last year, nobody thought we would make it. Even this year, we still have something to prove.”

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 67, CASHMERE 52

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN (17-8) – Khalfani Cason 20, Kobi Cason 5, Ty Snider 0, Gage Koenders 6, Kafentse Cason 4, Mason Packer 0, Bryce Dodge 6, Seth Woody 0, Justin Frahm 0, Brady Metz 16, Bailey Meek 0, Bryson Metz 10. Totals 25 (6) 11-13 67.

CASHMERE (17-7) – Sam Phillips 14, Reid Smith 0, Nate Phillips 2, Mason Landdeck 15, Brooks Elliott 0, Sam Dotson 4, Blake Kitchel 0, Ty Schoening 0, Huber Farias 3, Colton Baldwin 0, Carter Alberts 14, Miguel Sanchez 0. Totals 20 (3) 2-6 52.

King’s Way   19       20       16       12—67

Cashmere     6          17       10       19—52