The King’s Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball teams had great seasons this year and both traveled to the state tournament in Yakima for the weekend of March 4-6.
King’s Boys Place 2nd in State
The King’s Boys’ Basketball team went into the state tournament ranked 5th . They played King’s Way Christian in the first round and won 72-49. That moved them on to the quarterfinals against Annie Wright, and they won 66-63. The team went up against Blaine in the semifinals and won 57-38, advancing to the championship game against Lynden Christian, the team that entered the tournament in the number one slot for the state.
The game against Lynden Christian was a rematch for the number 1 place for the third year in a row. King’s won state against Lynden in 2020 and lost to Lynden in 2022. At the half, King’s was ahead, but ended up losing by 10 points, the final score 57-47. It was a great game and both teams put up a great fight.
King’s Athletic Director David Gerig said, “Our Boys Basketball team finished 2nd in State after going 3-1 at the Yakima Valley SunDome. Their toughness, character, and resiliency shined throughout the tournament, led by seniors Maddox Boyce and Gage Smith. Leading scorers for the Knights were All-Tournament First Team honorees Cam Hiatt and Nick Linhardt. The Knights finished their season 20-7.”
King’s Girls Place 5th in State
The King’s Girls’ Basketball team went into the state tournament ranked 5th. In the opening round they played Montesano and won 51-37. This advanced them straight to the quarterfinals in Yakima where they played Deer Creek and won 35-34 as the buzzer went off! Their fans who had traveled with them went wild with excitement over the nail-biting end to the game. Advancing to the semifinals against Noosack Valley, the number 1 team in the state, King’s lost the game by 12 points. A follow-up game with Wapato, ranked number 3 in state, the girls put a great fight but lost again by 12 points, earning the Knights a trophy for fifth place.
King’s Athletic Director David Gerig said, “Our Girls’ Basketball team finished 5th in State after a strong tournament performance at the Yakima Valley SunDome. The team represented King’s well with their unselfish play and team-first attitude. They were led by seniors Ava Francisco and Gwyn Siers, alongside All-Tournament First Team honoree and Freshman Kaleo Anderson. The Knights finished their season 23-5.”