It’s final, the Conks are in the finals for the 4A boys basketball title | Update

It’s final.

The Conks are in the final championship game for the 4A boys basketball state title for the second consecutive year.

The Kentwood boys beat Gonzaga Prep 56-53 to advance to the final game against Union 9 p.m. today, Sunday, at the Tacoma Dome.

Last year the Conks lost to Federal Way 66-54 and Kentwood has had its sights trained on the title since last March.

Leading the scoring for the Conks was Beau Roggenbach with 18, Koby Huerta with 16 and Darius LuBom with 12.

Kentwood’s star point guard LuBom also added five assists, four rebounds and one steal.

“I came into this game focused,” LuBom said. “Been slacking last couple games, coming into this game I knew I had to play my A game and help my team get through this one. They put it off for me last game, and we didn’t come into this game to lose.”

Coach Blake Solomon said Gonzaga was a tough as he expected.

“We knew Gonzaga Prep was going to be a load,” Solomon said. “They were all of that and more. We had a couple of chances to go up and put it away and they just would not go away. They are very well coached and great players.”

Kentwood was down 25-23 at the half. When the Conks came out in the third the boys dug in and scored 18 to Prep’s 15. Going into the fourth it was anyone’s game.

The Conks outscored Gonzaga 15-13 to squeeze out a three point win, but the team had to watch a last-gasp three point try by the Bullpups bounce off the rim.

“You know it was an emotional roller coaster,” Solomon said. “We have so many weapons and so many guys who can play. These guys believe so strongly in the group and so strongly in each other.”

With Union standing between the Conks and a state championship, Solomon said, “We’ve played Union twice so we know what they are doing. So it’s going to be about us going out and executing.”