LC Valley Daily Fly

March 5, 202

Note:  I think the sportswriter gave credit of Titus's 2 charges to another player.

LAPWAI WILD CATS STATE CHAMPIONS AGAIN

By Daily Fly Contributor Brad Bramlet 

It just felt like destiny that the 2020 -21 Lapwai Wild Cats would be crowned king of the hill at the A1 D1 IHSAA BOYS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS. The expectations of the Wild Cat Nation for bringing home the TOP CAT TROPHY is high as they have become accustomed to winning and winning. You could see in each Lapwai players countenance both focus and determination that yes, this is our year. They seem to expect the expectations and with confidence revel in it. Lapwai Boys Basketball teams have brought home the hardware 11 times. John Wooden only has 10 championship rings. 

The Riverstone Otters were truly a class act in hustle and competitiveness and must have shot 90% from the floor in the first quarter. The Wild Cats were relieved as the Otters cooled off after that first period of being on fire. But once again in the end they were no match for the extremely talented Lapwai Wild Cats who win impressively as Champions 82 - 60.

Riverstones scouting reports created the defensive strategy of shutting down Lapwai’s outstanding shooting guard Titus Yearout by deploying a box and 1 defense focused on shutting Yearout down. To box and 1 a player is to give that player the ultimate compliment to their skill level. Yearout has earned that kind of respect all year. What Riverstone did not count on was the other 4 talented basketball players who were also on the court. The Otters did not see the barrage of points coming from every player from every direction especially the 3-point line. Newcomer to the CATS, Freshman Kase Wynott, led all scorers with 23 points, 10 of those points coming from a 10 of 12 shooting night from the freethrow line. Are not freshman supposed to be nervous at the line in a championship game? Guess not for Mr. Wynott who at 15 years old is most definitely the real deal. Junior Ross Taylor dropped in 22 respectfully. So, Yearout was held to 8 points but unselfishly set other teammates up for easy scores with assist
after assist.

Honorable mention for the night goes to Lapwai’s man in the middle center Alexander Ellenwood. Alexander is Mr. Smooth on O but cat like on D blocking shots and crashing the boards an ever-present force inside. His length has shooters constantly nervous for the block. Give the Mr. Hustle award and the most inspirational player award to Terrell Ellenwood-Jones who fearlessly drew 4 charging calls on D. The only exaggeration I’ve stated in this article
regarding Terrell Ellenwood-Jones is his height listed in the program at 5’10”. But who really cares when you deliver like this kid does. If that wasn’t enough to please the faithful Lapwai fan base, Terrell continued to rain down rafter high 3 pointers that seemed to splash down into nothing but net at just the right time bringing back the big MO of momentum to the Wild Cat offense. Each of Ellenwood jones’s 5 Trifectas arrived at critical moments in the game. Just like David, Terrell fears no giants.

Hats off to the Lapwai Coaching Staff for game management complete with critical time outs and effective adjustments. Put a talented team on the floor, ad great coaching, and well, the results are State Championships.

The future looks bright as all 5 starters return from this State Champion Team. This reporter is predicting a repeat in 2022. I am a huge Wild Cat Nation fan!