After long absence, Woodland boys return to state

WOODLAND – Woodland boys basketball coach Jason Buffum summed up the Beavers’ recent drought at the state basketball tournament succinctly.

“Thirty-one years is a long time,’’ said Buffum, whose Beavers advanced to the final 8 of the state basketball tournament for the first time since 1985.

In the history of the Woodland High School boys basketball program, the Beavers have brought home their share of trophies from the state tournament, including a second-place finish at the Class A tourney in 1984. But, it’s been since the following year that a Woodland boys team has brought home a trophy from a state basketball tournament.

The Beavers advanced to the final eight of the Class 2A state basketball tournament with a 63-50 win over North Kitsap Friday at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma in the regional round of the state playoffs. Woodland will advance to the 2A state tournament to be played Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the SunDome in Yakima.

“It’s been pretty awesome for the community,’’ Buffum said of his team’s run to the state quarterfinals. “A lot of these kids are from families of longtime Woodland people. It’s been pretty cool that people not directly involved in our boys basketball program have come out to see us play. It’s very cool to be back to where they remember the program being in a different era.’’

The Beavers traveled a long, winding road to this week’s state tournament. After finishing second in the Class 2A Greater St. Helens League and finishing the regular season with a 13-7 overall record, Woodland needed to battle through the consolation bracket of the district and regional rounds of the playoffs, winning four of five games to advance to the final eight.

“This year’s team probably had the lowest expectations of any team since I’ve been here,’’ said Buffum, now in his third season as Woodland’s head coach. “We only had three returning players and had a lot of guys in new spots.’’

Despite that, the Beavers just kept getting better and better throughout the season, winning eight of their last nine games, including three straight loser-out contests. In the win over North Kitsap, several Woodland players turned in key performances including those three returning players from last year’s 18-6 team that just missed earning a trip to the final eight of the state playoffs.

Junior forward Tanner Sixberry poured in a career-high 25 points, including 18 in the first half to lead the Beavers.

“It was one of the most impressive halves I’ve ever seen from a guy who doesn’t dominate the ball,’’ Buffum said of Sixberry. “All of his baskets were in the flow of the game. He didn’t force anything. He just kept playing and he really opened things up for us.’’

Junior Bryce Mulder, a 6-foot-11 center, continued his dominating presence in the middle with nine points, 10 rebounds, four blocked shots and five assists. Senior Hayden Huddleston finished with 10 points, including a 3-pointer in the second half and several key free throws down the stretch of the game to secure the victory.

Senior McKay Flanagan did not score in the victory but he had the key assignment to defend North Kitsap sharpshooter Cole Rabedeaux, who entered the game with a 22-point scoring average. Rabedeaux finished with a hard-earned 21 points but Flanagan’s stellar man-to-man effort on Rabedeaux meant the Beavers didn’t have to double team the standout guard, allowing Woodland to hold everyone else intact.

Perhaps the most eye-opening performance was turned in by Woodland’s 14-year-old freshman Tyler Flanagan. Flanagan entered the game after the first five minutes and Buffum never took him back out. The 5-11 guard finished with a career-high 17 points and he also defended North Kitsap’s second-best offensive player Zach Olmstead, who managed just four points in the game.

“For a 14-year-old freshman, it was really huge for him to have that impact on the game,’’ Buffum said. “And for him, it was only about the team winning and the team concept of staying together and continuing to grind.’’

On Thursday, Woodland will meet Clarkston (23-1), the defending 2A state champions who defeated Renton 76-47 in the regional round on Friday. Buffum welcomed the challenge of facing Clarkston.

“Clarkston is a tough draw but what’s not going to be a tough draw?’’ Buffum said. “There’s only eight teams left. We drew the defending state champs and they have three phenomenal players including one guy (Trevon Allen) who has already signed with the University of Idaho. He will be the best player we’ve seen all year.

“We have our work cut out for ourselves,’’ Buffum said. “But, this team just keeps rising to the occasion. If we just keep sticking together and making plays we will give ourselves a chance to win. We can’t be satisfied with just getting there. It’s a new season. We lived to survive another day. This is a time when upsets happen.’’