No. 5 Richland ends Kentridge’s season

Published 3:30 pm Thursday, February 28, 2019

Senior guard Cole Northrop scored 36 points as hot-shooting No. 5 Richland eliminated ninth-seeded Kentridge 83-59 from the 4A Hardwood Classic at the Tacoma Dome on Friday.

The Bombers (22-5) play Puyallup (22-8) for fourth place Saturday morning.

The Chargers – appearing at the state tournament for the first time since 2014 – finished the season 21-9, with the North Puget Sound League Cascade title.

Owen Paznokas scored 16 points and Jett Briceno had 15 points and seven rebounds to lead Kentridge.

Richland jumped out to a 30-11 after the first quarter and stretched its lead to 56-32 at halftime. The Bombers shot 72 percent from the field in the first half, sinking 11-of-15 3-pointers, and shot 57 percent for the game.

Kentridge shot 42 percent from the field for the game.

On Thursday, second-seeded and defending state champion Gonzaga Prep proved to be too much for Kentridge.

Anton Watson scored 22 points, hitting 10-of-11 shots from the field, and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Bullpups past the in the quarterfinals.

Cruz Medina paced the Chargers with 11 points, and Briceno had nine points.

Kentridge – which ousted Battle Ground 66-54 in the opening round of the tournament on Wednesday – shot 28 percent from the field for the game against Gonzaga Prep.

Gonzaga Prep led 35-23 at the half and outscored Kentridge 20-9 in the third quarter to pull away.