Wellpinit's journey to Class 1B boys basketball title: 'We've been talking about this since we were little kids'

SPOKANE - The Wellpinit Redskins didn't get the perfect season - but they did get the perfect ending.

On Saturday, they solved dynamic-and-disciplined Sunnyside Christian, 55-50, in the Class 1B boys basketball championship game Saturday at the Spokane Arena.

“We've been talking about this since we were little kids,” senior Smokey Abrahamson said. “We've been dreaming about it. We've been working hard in the gym for hours so that we could do that.”

In the most important basketball game in the history of the school, Wellpinit played a near-perfect game.

“I'm so happy to have not just players who get to enjoy this, but our fans, all of our fans, that was pretty awesome,” Redskins boys coach Billy Flett Sr. said.

They outrebounded, outhustled, outmaneuvered– and most importantly – scored more points than the Knights.

But Sunnyside Christian didn't make it easy, going on a 16-4 run at the end of the third quarter.

“Not closing out when they hit some 3-balls,” Flett Sr. said. “Getting lazy on defense not closing out, I was pretty frustrated with that. But they amped up their D toward the end the game.”

Wellpinit responded on a 12-3 run, triggered by sophomore Andrew Moyer's 3-pointer near the end of the third quarter to extend Wellpinit lead to 42-34.

Andrew Moyer III and David Wynecoop III sank momentum-keeping 3-pointers in the final quarter - part of nine 3-pointers overall - to guarantee the Redskins a title - and 26-1 finishing record.

Their only loss was to Reardan during the winter holiday break.

A year ago, Cusick won the Class 1B title. The Panthers are coached by Rob Seymour, Flett Sr.’s brother in-law.

After the game, Bode Seymour, a junior on the Cusick squad came up to Flett Sr.

“My nephew Bode came out of the stands and gave me a hug,” Flett Sr. said “He said, ‘Way to go uncle’, and I said, ‘Now I know how you guys felt last year.’”

For the five seniors on the roster, Flett Sr. is glad they will be able to carry this story of triumph down the road.

“They now can go home and, down the road later tell their kids or grandkids, “Hey, I'm a state champ,’” Flett Sr. said.