YAKIMA — It’s hard to be perfect.
But the Archbishop Murphy girls basketball team was a mere 32 minutes away from that when Saturday night’s game against the the Lynden Lions got underway. When it ended a little more than two hours later, a 48-41 loss in the Class 2A state championship game meant an undefeated season and perfection were not to be.
“Its difficult when you haven’t lost a game, to lose the last one,” Archbishop Murphy (26-1) coach John Barhanovich said. “To their credit, they were the better team tonight.
“The last one is always the hardest one to get, and they proved that true tonight.”
The Lions’ victory was even more unlikely because the Wildcats had just defeated Lydnen (23-4) 53-33 in the District 1 championship game a week earlier.
“I think it was a combination of the fact that they played better, and we didn’t play as well,” Barhanovich said of Lynden’s upset victory.
“I told our kids what goes around comes around,” Lynden coach Rob Adams said. “What happens if tonight’s our night?”
It was clear this game would be different in the early going. Lynden jumped to a 3-0 lead on a 3-pointer by Hannah Shine, Brandi Benner followed with two early 3s of her own to help build an early 11-4 advantage. Hannah Swanson added a 3-pointer with under a minute to play in the first quarter to give Lynden a 15-12 lead going into the second quarter.
“They shot very well from the 3-point line,” Barhanovich said.
In the three previous days of the tournament, the Wildcats had gotten used to having different members of the team produce to help them to victory. Saturday night, however, no one emerged to make the big plays and Lynden controlled the game. Murphy made a few runs, and even took the lead a few times, but never by more than a point the whole game.
“We never really got into a rhythm, they had an answer every time we got close,” Barhanovich said.
Lynden held the lead through most of the game, Murphy was able to cut the lead to three twice in the fourth quarter, including once with 28 seconds remaining, on a Shelby Lyman 3 from beyond the NBA 3-point line that made the score 44-41.
Benner closed out the game for the Lions, though, knocking down four straight free throws for the seven-point victory.
Benner, who was voted tournament MVP by participating media, proved to be a thorn in the Wildcats side all night long. After hitting two 3-pointers early, she scored 13 of her 19 points in the second half and was 4-for-6 from behind the arc.
“We tried different kids on her,” Barhanovich said.
Meanwhile, two of Murphy’s heroes from previous tournament games couldn’t find their stroke. Junior Sam Pettinger managed just six points and was 1-for-10 shooting from the floor, and Lyman was not much better, finishing with eight points.
Lyman was named to the 2A all-tournament second team.
After the game, outside the locker room, Barhanovich congratulated Adams on the victory, and a great season.
“He is by far one of the classiest guys in the state of Washington, I’ve always thought that,” Adams said of Barhanovich.
Despite the loss, Barhanovich was happy with the season and put things in perspective after the game.
“Brilliant season, wonderful season, a great group of kids,” he said. “You compete to the best that you can, and we were pretty good most games we played. There have been a lot of coaches that have been to state championship games and didn’t win, and I am one.”
Though a storybook season ended in disappointment for the Wildcats, there is reason to be excited about next season, they will lose just three seniors.
Alyssa Smith, who led the Wildcats with 15 points and was voted to the 2A all-tournament first team, will graduate as will fellow senior captains Rachel Shober and Claire Anderson.
“Very good players coming back,” Barhanovich said. “They have been through the state tournament atmosphere.
“We’ll give it a shot.”
At Yakima SunDome
Lynden1591311—48
A. Murphy12119 9—41
Lynden—Toronchuck 7, Benner 19, Biesheuvel 0, Fluit 2, Korthuis 4, Shine 12, Miller 0, Beard 0, Webb 0, Whiteis 0, Swanson 4. Archbishop Murphy—Lyman 8, Bartholomew 0, Pettinger 6, Fletcher 2, Shober 2, Anderson 0, Smith 15, Carlson 8. 3-pointers—Shine 1, Benner 4, Swanson 1, Korthuis 1, Lyman 2, Smith 2, Pettinger 1. Records—Lynden 23-4. Archbishop Murphy 26-1.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
