YAKIMA — Friday’s opening round of the 1A state playoffs was a new experience for most of the King’s Way Christian girls basketball team.
For senior Bridget Quinn, it was a chance to extend her basketball career with the Knights a few more days.
But a big third quarter run helped Wapato fend off a late King’s Way run for a 56-45 win Friday night at A.C. Davis High School, ending the Knights’ season at 16-6.
“I do think this was a little bit of an eye-opener for us,” King’s Way coach Nicole Bagley said. “But the girls rose to the occasion, especially for two eighth-graders, mostly sophomores and then our two seniors. We couldn’t be prouder.”
Friday marked the first trip to the state playoffs for the King’s Way girls program since 2019, when most of the roster was still in elementary school. And Bagley admitted it was a bit daunting as the Knights entered the gym loaded with Wapato fans.
“Walking in, it’s a big gym, it’s loud and has tons of energy,” Bagley said. “Our kids were like ‘Wow!’ … Wapato is just down the road here.”
Still for a half, the Knights played like seasoned veterans, taking a 20-19 lead midway through the second quarter before Wapato opened a 28-22 halftime lead.
But the third quarter was when the Wolves took over, breaking out on a 15-0 run to open a 47-26 lead late in the third.
King’s Way didn’t fold up in the fourth. The Knights fought back to within nine points twice with a chance to cut it closer.
But in the end, some shots didn’t fall, and Wapato sealed the win.
“We’ve been talking about … playing hard all four quarters, being present all four quarters,” Bagley said. “We had a little bit of a dip there in the third quarter where we let the game get away from us. Then those girls fought back and did everything us coaches asked to bring the energy, especially for a young team that has been here as a team before.”
The Knights’ team leader, Quinn, did everything she could, constantly fighting through double teams in the backcourt to lead King’s Way with 14 points. Kallan Sharp had 12 points and Addison Bagley scored 10.
Along with Kate Kesler, Quinn is one of two seniors on the team. Quinn made her debut with the Knights as an eighth-grader, and Friday’s loss capped her fifth year in the program.
“That girl has grown leaps and bounds,” Nicole Bagley said. “Every single player in this program, middle school also, they look up to her. She’s one of those girls who leads by total example. She’s an amazing teammate. She’s so positive, uplifting and encouraging. She has the hardest work ethic of anyone at practice. She runs everything on our offense. It’s a lot. We put a lot on her. … To say we’re going to miss her is an understatement. It’s sad. It hurts. But we’re so happy for her. She’s going to go on and play college volleyball.”
WAPATO 56, KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 45
KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN (16-6) — Alana Poe 7, Bridget Quinn 14, Lauren Lewis 0, Natalie Gomes 0, Ella Lopez 2, Kaitlyn Delamarter 0, Kallan Sharp 12, Kate Kesler 0, Addison Bagley 10. Totals 17 (3) 8-14 45.
WAPATO (15-10) — Trin Wheeler 15, Jordyn Bobb 10, Faith Kenoras 8, Brook Alvarado 10, KaeLee Haber 0, Arianna Macias 0, Lianna Arizpe 2, Celine Blodgett 0, Taylor Tillequots 0, Erilynn Greybull 11. Totals 25 (5) 1-2 56.
KWC 14 8 8 15—45
Wapato 13 15 19 9—56
