On to State: Broncos’ season continues into State Tournament

The annual State Hardwood Classic began with the Regional Tournament on Feb. 27, where the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos earned the right to compete in the State B Tournament. The Broncos defeated Warden in the loser-out contest, with the Broncos receiving the win and a chance to continue into playoffs for the run at the state title.

As one of three Northeast 2B League teams competing at the State Tournament, the Broncos have an opportunity to show the competitiveness of the league, as well as display their success from the season. LRS drew Life Christian for the first game in the Spokane Arena, which takes place at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 3.

The Broncos faced Warden in Regionals at Mt. Spokane High School early on Feb. 22. The two teams showed up determined to earn the right to continue into post season competition. LRS snuck by with a 52-48 win over the Panthers.

The first quarter proved to be a slow transition into the competitive game for both teams. Broncos Head Coach Dustan Arlt said both teams appeared nervous and it took nearly the full quarter for the teams to gain intensity in the Regional match.

For the Broncos, they struggled primarily on the offensive end by seeming hesitant on shots and having slow ball movement. Nearly halfway through the quarter, the Broncos broke out of their funk to go on a small scoring spree. Warden would end the quarter outscoring the Broncos 4-0 and tying the game at nine when the first quarter ended.

In the second quarter, the Broncos found the weaknesses in Warden’s zone defense and quickly gained the scoring advantage. Midway through the quarter, Jacob Saetre drilled three 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to boost the Broncos’ lead.

The Broncos jumped out to the double digit advantage, but inconsistencies and missed open shots in the last two minutes of the half allowed the Panthers to narrow the Broncos’ lead to seven. The team also suffered from a couple questionable officiating calls, which allowed the Panthers to stay in the game and disrupt the Broncos scoring run.

The Broncos led 30-23 at the half, and Arlt said the team was focused on balanced scoring and continuing to break down the Panthers zone defense. They also moved a couple of athletes in the rotation to find the most effective means of maintaining the lead.

During the previous Sub-Regional game against DeSales, the Broncos had experience playing against an experienced zone defense. The practice allowed the Broncos to notice adjustments they needed to make in order to be effective, and the team switched to a 2-1-2 offense.

Dylan Becker hit three shots from the corner to help the Broncos gain a larger lead in the third quarter. The Broncos found open looks near the perimeter in the corners, and they earned the open looks with consistent ball movement.

On the other end of the court, the Broncos fought to maintain J.R. Delgato, the Panthers leading scorer and best all-around athlete. Delgato hit a couple of deep 3-pointers and a difficult lay-in to cause trouble for the Broncos late in the third.

With momentum in their favor, Warden took the court with a new intensity in the fourth quarter. After a couple of crucial shots in the third quarter, the Broncos went cold for the beginning of the final quarter.

The Broncos struggled offensively while the Panthers continued to maintain a consistent scoring run. The Panthers also increased their defensive intensity, putting pressure out higher on the Broncos and causing multiple panic turnovers.

Arlt said the Broncos had an opportunity to continue to increase their lead, but two missed lay-ins and a failed put-back basket allowed the Panthers to move even closer.

The pressure got to the Broncos, Arlt explained, and Warden brought the game within one. The Broncos began to focus and Arlt said the team quickly gained control and began to eliminate mistakes.

In the final minute of the game, with only a one-point lead, Saetre nailed a three-point shot to increase the Broncos’ advantage to four. On the other end of the court, the Panthers earned multiple free throw attempts, but missed shots helped secure the Broncos lead.

For the majority of the final minute, the Broncos found themselves on defense. A couple of missed shots and tips on the ball allowed the Panthers to maintain possession, as well as a jump ball call.

Warden narrowed the score to three, and went to hit Delgato on the perimeter. With increased pressure defense from the Broncos, Delgato did not have an open shot and kicked the ball to a teammate. A hurried shot led to a rebound by the Broncos, and sent Saetre to the line. He hit a single free throw to give the Broncos back their four-point advantage.

Saetre led the team in scoring with 22 points, and 15 of the points came from 3-pointers. Wyatt Roettger had 12 points and nine rebounds.

Becker ended the game with seven points, three steals and three assists. Dallas Killian racked up 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Bryce Esser rounded out the scoring for the Broncos with two points.

Arlt said the final three minutes of the competition proved to be a wild game between the two teams. The Broncos struggled offensively to move the ball up the court, and Arlt explained a couple of rushed passes and wings not staying back to assist the point guard led to turnovers for the Broncos.

The game proved to be suspenseful in the final quarter, and after a double-overtime Sub-Regional contest the past week, Arlt said the past two games have been some of the most exciting during his seven years of coaching. The Broncos finished Regionals by defeating the 19-4 team, and Arlt said that proves the Broncos deserved the right to compete in the Spokane Arena.

The Broncos shot 40 percent in the game, and Arlt said the percentage is satisfactory in a state game against a competitive team. The LRS squad has proved to have effective offense against both man and zone defenses, and Arlt said this helps prepare the team for the State Tournament.

The State draw lands the Broncos in the first round game against Life Christian, the state’s fourth ranked team. Arlt stated the Broncos will be considered the underdogs at the tournament, but it is a position and a title he is comfortable with, as he knows the team will step up to prove they deserve the right to compete.

With a strong and competitive league, Arlt said the regular season games mixed with nonleague games has helped the Broncos prepare for the state platform. Arlt explained the Broncos have been playing their best basketball in the past two weeks, and he is confident the team’s first games are winnable.

Life Christian is a team with substantial height, with four of the starting five athletes registering above 6-foot-3. The team does not utilize their bench, Arlt said, and the Broncos plan to play aggressive in order to create potential foul trouble for the starters.

The Broncos will focus on containing the 6’7” all-around athlete Luke Lovelady. Arlt said as potentially the smallest team in the tournament, the Broncos have their work cut out for them on defense.

Arlt said the Bronco athletes are excited and ready to play in the tournament, with this being a first time experience for many of the senior athletes. Arlt stated this is a great opportunity for the seniors to complete their high school basketball careers.

After strong support at the Regional Tournament, Arlt is hopeful for a large Broncos fan base to join the team in the Spokane Arena. On Saturday, the Broncos fed off of the intensity and excitement from their fans, and Arlt said the Broncos do not underestimate the importance of fan support.

The Broncos take the floor in the arena at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday. A win moves them into the 9 p.m. game on Friday, while a loss moves them into the 2 p.m. game.