Reardan knocks out defending champs

SPOKANE - Led by Jakari Singleton, the Reardan Screaming Eagles defeated Upper Columbia Academy 63-48 in the District 7 2B Tournament at West Valley High School, Saturday, Feb. 4, to advance to a quarterfinal matchup with Colfax that they lost 69-58 Monday, Feb 6.

Aided by a 13 point run to start the second half, Reardan extended its lead and never looked back. Singleton's solid performance continued as he scored 11 of his game high 24 points in the last two quarters. In addition, he pulled down 18 rebounds and collected three steals.

Logan Flaa and Soliday each scored 14 points and Evan Krupke came off the bench to score six points and grab five rebounds as the Screaming Eagles won 63-48.

Duran Downs scored 23 points for UCA.

"We knew it would be a tough game," Reardan head coach Brian Graham said. "Jakari (Singleton) started the game with a fantastic play. The boys executed the game plan well. Logan (Flaa) showed great leadership and Evan (Krupke) was awesome. I am thrilled to get the win."

In the quarterfinal game against Colfax, Monday, Feb. 6, Logan Flaa provided the offensive punch Reardan needed as they matched the Bulldogs bucket-for-bucket in the first quarter. His 12 first quarter points gave Reardan the lead until a last-minute shot by Colfax Junior Seth Lustig put Colfax ahead 17-16 at the break.

From then on, the Bulldogs pulled away.

In the second quarter, Colfax's defense shut Flaa down, keeping him scoreless and limiting Reardan to nine points. Lustig and Bradyn Heilsberg scored seven apiece in the quarter, allowing the Bulldogs to extend their lead to 37-25 at half time.

The third quarter belonged to sharpshooter Adrik Jenkin, who scored 12 straight points for Colfax after being skunked in the first half. Colfax led at the end of the third period 55-34.

Reardan came back strong in the final frame. Flaa scored 11 points and Jakari Singleton tossed in seven as the Screaming Eagles outscored Colfax 24-14 in the fourth quarter. Reardan's rally fell short as the Bulldogs prevailed 69-58.

Flaa scored 23 points for Reardan, followed by Singleton and Soliday, who scored 17 and nine, respectively.

"I shot a lot of shots tonight and made some," Flaa said. "But turnovers killed us. We turned the ball over and they scored. That was the difference in the game."

Reardan head coach Brian Graham said an injury and foul trouble threw his game plan off early.

"They capitalized on a few unforced turnovers," Graham said. "Tristo's (McCrea) injury and Jakari's (Singleton) quick fouls took us out of our game, but I was proud of the boys who came in and played."

The loss placed Reardan in a loser out game against defending 2B state champion Liberty Wednesday, Feb. 8. In that matchup, Rysen Soliday, Jakari Singleton, Evan Krupke and Cohen Little came up big for the Screaming Eagles, who won 61-44.

Liberty led by one point after the first quarter, 11-10. After that, Soliday and Singleton found their shooting touch by scoring 11 and nine first half points, respectively. Reardan led at the half 31-23.

Liberty closed the gap to two points midway through the third quarter, but Soliday nipped their comeback in the bud by scoring 10 straight points for Reardan. Not ready to throw in the towel, Liberty made another run and closed the deficit to five points at the end of the quarter.

Soliday scored 10 of his game high 23 points in the fourth quarter as Reardan crushed any hopes of a Lancers comeback. In the final quarter, the Screaming Eagles outscored Liberty 17-5 en route to the 61-44 win.

"We knew our backs were against the wall," Soliday said. "The boys played an absolutely great game tonight."

Reardan will next play Lind-Ritzville/Sprague at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9 at West Valley.