PRAIRIE FORWARD GREG BERNASH (33) shown here in a game earlier this season, led the Falcons with 11 points and 10 rebounds in a 46-45 loss at Kennedy Catholic in Class 3A bi-district tournament action on Feb. 12.
The maturation of a high school basketball team is a process and the Prairie Falcons are in the middle of that journey.
Prairie had an opportunity to earn a difficult playoff win in the first round of the Class 3A bi-district tournament but the Falcons failed on several key opportunities down the stretch and dropped a 46-45 decision at Kennedy Catholic Feb. 12.
“We had our opportunities and I’m really proud of the kids and the way they played defensively,’’ said Prairie coach Kyle Brooks. “We are in that learning mode and you’ve got to make the most of your opportunities when you get them this time of year.’’
Prairie led 16-11 after the first quarter and 27-21 at halftime. The Falcons still led by six points midway through the fourth quarter when Jacob Davidson hit a key 3-pointer. However, Kennedy fought back and took the lead with a basket with about 30 seconds remaining in the game.
The Falcons had one last chance to regain the lead and earn the victory but a 3-pointer failed to hit the mark and Prairie was sent to the consolation bracket of the double-elimination tournament.
In the final minutes of the game, the Falcons also missed three front-ends of one-and-one free throw opportunities and finished just 3-for-9 from the free throw line in the game.
“It wasn’t a typical night for us; we’re normally a good free throw shooting team,’’ Brooks said.
Brooks was very happy with his team’s defensive effort and execution. Kennedy Catholic entered the game averaging 63 points per game but the Falcons held their opponents 17 points under their season average.
Sophomore forward Greg Bernash led Prairie with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Palmer Goecke added nine points and Davidson and sophomore Seth Hall each had eight points. Sophomore Dwayne Stewart chipped in six points.
Prairie was scheduled to play in against Sumner in a consolation bracket game at Clover Park High School on Feb. 14. The Falcons would need to win four straight games to advance to the Final 16 round of the 3A state playoffs.
Bernash was recently named to the 3A Greater St. Helens League first team by a vote of the coaches. Teammate Michael Stockbridge, a junior point guard, was a second-team all-GSHL selection.
