It took solid defense, enduring an out-of-the-ordinary ten-minute delay and a whole lot of free-throws, but the Kamiakin Braves came out on top with a 58-47 over the Kennedy Catholic Lancers.
The fourth and final quarterfinal game of the 3A state tournament pitted two relatively unknown teams against each other. Kamiakin (23-1) kept its win-streak alive and more importantly, kept their hopes at a 3A championship alive. Mitch Penner and Kennedy Catholic (21-4) could not contain the Braves' multifaceted offensive attack.
Senior guard Justin Pedley scored 17 point and pulled down 12 rebounds for the Braves; junior guard Cooper Clyde added 14 points of his own.
Kamiakin was in control for much of the game and led the entire game, extending their lead to 12 points at one time in the first half. However, the Lancers rallied back in the fourth quarter, and cut the lead down to three points. Kamiakin converted on 22-of-38 free-throws. Kennedy Catholic was held to 27.6% shooting.
Senior forward Mitch Penner led all scorers with 23 points. The Seattle Pacific-signee also grabbed 14 rebounds.
The game was delayed late in the fourth quarter after Kamiakan's Zach En'Wezoh dunked and shifted the basket on the open end of the court. After the ten-minute delay, Kamiakin held on in the final minute.
Kamiakin will face Seattle Prep in the 3A state semifinals at 5:30 p.m. on Friday night. Kennedy Catholic faces O'Dea in the consolation bracket at 10:30 am. on Friday morning.