The Rochester boys basketball team completed the season sweep of their rivals on Wednesday, topping Tenino 59-35 in their penultimate regular season game.
The Warriors led by just three after the first quarter, but they blew the game open by outsourcing the Beavers 36-12 over the next two frames.
At one point during that stretch, the Warriors had five freshmen on the floor. For coach Caleb Sells, those minutes proved to be a sign of the growth they’ve made over the year, specifically on the defensive side.
“They are realizing that we are athletic enough and tough enough to play with these guys,” Sells said. “Their confidence level is rising … So many little things we’re working on feel like they’re starting to come together.”
Marshall Turnquist led the Warriors with 13 points, while Tyson Canales scored 12, Emmitt Mancuso tallied 10, and Clayton Knutson added nine.
Owen Whitaker led the Beavers offensively with 11 points, Cole Borup scored seven, Henry Czuleger finished with five points and 14 rebounds, and Kollin Pattison added a pair of points.
It was the final game for those four Tenino (3-18, 0-8 1A Evergreen) seniors, who were praised by Tenino coach Nick Bamer after the game.
“Thankful to our seniors for reshaping the expectations for our program,” Bamer said. “They were always outstanding teammates, and more importantly better humans. The future is bright in Tenino thanks to their leadership.”
Rochester (3-16, 3-4 1A Evergreen) will finish its regular season at home against Hoquiam on Friday. The Warriors already had a pigtail spot locked up entering Wednesday, but thanks to the win over Tenino, they could move up to the No. 3 spot and avoid the pigtail if they can beat the Grizzlies on Friday.
“Our kids answered the bell,” Sells said. “We’re gonna have to play our best game to take it to them on our home court.”
