Reporter staff
Kentridge High takes on heralded Richland in the regional round of the state Class 4A boys basketball playoffs Friday at Chiawana High School in Pasco.
Tipoff between the Chargers (18-6) and Bombers (18-4) is 6 p.m. It is Kentridge’s sixth regional playoff appearance in the last nine seasons.
The winner moves on to the Hardwood Classic in the Tacoma Dome on March 5-7.
Kentridge fell 51-50 to Curtis last Saturday in a battle for the West Central District No. 3 seed to the regional playoffs. The Chargers dropped a 63-41 decision to rival Kentwood in the district semifinals on Feb. 19 at Puyallup High School.
Richland’s sharpshooting, 6-foot-3 junior guard Steven Beo concerns Chargers coach Dave Jamison.
“They have one of the best in the state in Beo, who averages 28 points per game … as well as other shooters and two solid big men,” Jamison said. “They can really score and have a strong winning tradition.
“We have qualified for regionals, so that was huge for a team with only one returning key player,” Jamison added. “All the regional teams are good, and we are happy to go to Richland and play in front of a 5,000-plus home crowd.”
Meanwhile, Kentwood (22-3), which lost to Federal Way 74-56 in the district championship, takes on Camas (17-6) at 4 p.m. at Puyallup High School on Saturday in the regional round.
Kentwood proved to be too much Kentridge in the semifinal showdown.
The LuBom brothers combined for 36 points to lead the Conquerors past the Chargers last week.
Darius LuBom scored 21 points and his younger brother, Marcus, added 15 as the Conquerors beat the Chargers for the third time this season.
Kentwood jumped out to a 13-0 lead and never looked back. The Conquerors used a 20-6 run in the third quarter to pad a 53-22 cushion heading into the final period.
Joran Ticeson led the Chargers with eight points. Deon Thomas finished with seven.
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