Deadeye Flaa leads Reardan over Okanogan

REARDAN - It wasn't quite David versus Goliath, but the Screaming Eagles boys basketball team gave up several inches to their taller opponents from Okanogan, whom they defeated 66-65 on Dec. 23.

Okanogan had six players on its roster over 6 foot 3 inches tall compared to Reardan's Jakari Singleton, Reardan's sole player taller than six feet. The Bulldogs' height advantage was clear in the first half when they pulled down 23 rebounds compared to Reardan's 11.

Reardan started the game missing its first eight shots. Despite Reardan's early shooting woes and rebounding deficit, Logan Flaa and Rysen Soliday kept them in the game with their shooting. Flaa knocked down 11 first half points and Soliday added eight of his own.

Okanogan led the game at halftime 33-28.

In the third quarter, the Screaming Eagles defense stiffened, and they played tougher under the boards, allowing Okanogan far fewer rebounds. Despite their improved play on the defensive end, they connected on only five of 14 shot attempts, which allowed Okanogan to extend its lead to 53-44 at the end of the third quarter.

The Screaming Eagles were behind 57-46 with 6:20 remaining in the game. Three minutes later, Flaa tied the game at 57 apiece with a long 3-point shot.

Owee Handley ignited the spark that put the Screaming Eagles on top for good. After Flaa's game tying shot, Handley stole the ball and sank a 3-pointer to put Reardan up 60-57. He stole the ball again, thwarting Okanogan's attempt to tie the game.

Reardan's suffocating defense resulted in several Bulldog turnovers from which they wouldn't recover. The Bulldogs committed several fouls at the end of the game while trying to regain possession of the ball. Flaa and Singleton's free throws sealed it for the Screaming Eagles. Reardan outscored Okanogan 22-12 in the fourth quarter.

Okanogan sank a desperation 3-point shot at the buzzer, but Reardan prevailed 66-65.

Flaa connected on six 3-point shots and made all six free throws during crunch time. He finished with 26 points. Soliday scored 13 points, Tristo McCrea had eight points and Cohen Little added 7.

Singleton pulled down nine rebounds for Reardan.

Okanogan's Carson Boesel led all scorers with 28 points and Tyler Poplier added 21.

"We finally started making shots," Flaa said. "In the second half we locked up their shooters and momentum started going our way."

With the win Reardan improved to 3-4 overall. Okanogan's loss dropped them to 3-2 overall.

"We schedule these non-league games to be tough," Reardan head coach Brian Graham said. "We knew they were big and would be super physical. We didn't play Boesel very well. We weren't tough enough. But the boys responded. They never get rattled. They are cool and collected. Some of the boys who don't play a lot of minutes made shots they had to make. It was an awesome confidence boost. This was a big win for us because they are a very good team."

Reardan's next game will be at home against Wellpinit at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 29 in the first round of the annual Lions Club Tournament.