Review Independent - http://www.reviewindependent.com
Wapato stuns Ephrata for district title; Lady Wolves fall to Ellensburg
http://www.reviewindependent.com/articles/2400/1/Wapato-stuns-Ephrata-for-district-title-Lady-Wolves-fall-to-Ellensburg/Page1.html
Review Staff

 
By Review Staff
Published on 03/9/2010
 
It was a movie-like ending for the Wapato Wolves as they captured the CWAC district championship on Saturday at Sunnyside, upsetting the No. 2 state ranked Ephrata Tigers, 78-76.  It was Ephrata’s second loss of the season, both games were losses to the Wildcats.  Wapato now takes the No. 1 seed into the Class 2A state tournament which begins Wednesday at the SunDome in Yakima.
It was a movie-like ending for the Wapato Wolves as they captured the CWAC district championship on Saturday at Sunnyside, upsetting the No. 2 state ranked Ephrata Tigers, 78-76.  It was Ephrata’s second loss of the season, both games were losses to the Wildcats.  Wapato now takes the No. 1 seed into the Class 2A state tournament which begins Wednesday at the SunDome in Yakima.
The District championship game was close throughout, with Wapato holding a slim 75-74 lead with less than 10 seconds remaining in the game.  After a timeout by Ephrata to set up a possible winning shot, the Tigers 6-10 Patrick Simon was fouled with 4.4 seconds remaining. Simon made both free throws, which gave Ephrata a 76-75 lead and an apparent win.  However, rather than call time out, Wapato inbounded to Jacoby Howe, who dribbled through two Ephrata defenders and shot from mid-court.  All eyes were on his shot as it swished through the net, stunning the Tigers and their spectators.
The Wolves were solid from the three-point mark, making 14 three-point shots.  Wapato was led in scoring by Rigo Alvarado with 23 points,  Greg Strom added 20 , Howe had 14 and Efrain Reynoso contributed 10 points.  Ephrata’s 6-10 giant Simon countered with 39 points.  Effective inside against the taller Tigers, Mario Miranda collected seven rebounds and freshman Austin Balderas had five. Wapato’s entire bench contributed to the win, which should give the Wolves additional confidence as they head into Class 2A state tournament action.

ELLENSBURG GIRLS 65, WAPATO 55
It was a disappointing loss for the Lady Wolves as they finally succumbed to Ellensburg 65-55 in Sunnyside  on Saturday.  It was a winner-to-state, loser-out contest and ended Wapato’s season.
The game was closer than the score indicated.  Ellensburg was able to capitalize on free throws at the end of the game that spelled the difference.  The Lady Bulldogs made 15 of 22 free throws.
The Wolves continually fought back. A determined A.J. Yarlott scored 15 points and had eight rebounds in the losing effort.  Hayley Strom was the only other Wolf in double figures with 14 points.
Wapato concluded its season with a 16-9 record.