Hunter Ecklund nets two of his 19 points for the Wildcats Thursday at La Center High School.
Avery Seter glides to the hoop for two of his team-leading 21 points for the La Center boys basketball team Thursday. The Wildcats beat Tenino 90-48 in the first round of the 1A district tournament at La Center High School.
The La Center boys have scored baskets in bunches all season long. Thursday’s playoff opener at home was no different.
Hunter Ecklund, Colby Shaw and Evan Norris combined for four 3-pointers out of the gate to help the Wildcats build a 23-5 advantage in the first quarter. La Center outscored Tenino 74-33 in the first three sessions on the way to a 90-48 victory in the first round of the 1A district tournament.
“Offensively and defensively, they were attacking on both ends. The full court press was giving them fits,” said head coach Jeremy Ecklund. “It’s great when you can start a game off like that. You know you’re going to have that energy.”
Avery Seter led the Wildcats with 21 points. Ecklund and Shaw both had 19, Matt Bryant added 16 and Norris netted 9. La Center was up by 27 at halftime, but the highlight of the night came at the start of the third quarter when Norris rebounded Eklund's lay up that rolled off the rim and slammed the ball through the hoop. Seter, Shaw and Bryant also had strong performances in the final home game of their high school careers.
“It just starts with all the energy at the beginning of the game. That first quarter really sets the pace,” Seter said. “We just like to get out and run. Everyone can play, so it’s fun.”
La Center (19-2) will play Montesano (13-8) in the semifinals on Tuesday at King’s Way Christian High School in Vancouver. The Bulldogs eliminated the Wildcats in the first round of the state tournament last season. That game tips-off at 7:30 p.m.
“The boys are ready. Montesano knocked us out last year,” said coach Ecklund. “If we win this next game, because we’re (ranked second) in the RPI, we’re going to Yakima regardless what happens in the district championship game.”
La Center and King’s Way could face each other one more time for the district championship. The Knights defeated the Wildcats 65-64 Jan. 16 and then La Center outlasted King’s Way 67-65 in overtime Feb. 1 to become three-time Trico League champions.
“I’d love round three. The game that we played (Feb. 1) was so much fun,” said coach Ecklund. “Not just because we won, but the atmosphere, that gym being packed, going into overtime … that was high school basketball at its best. If we can get round three, let’s do it.”
