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Columbia Christian clips Wallowa in 1A title game
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 WALLOWA’S RONALD GLADDEN goes up for a slam dunk in the Cougars’ 47-40 loss to Columbia Christian in the championship game of the 1A State Playoffs Saturday in Baker. - NANCY CAMBELL/Submitted Photo The Cougars fell to Columbia Christian 47-40 Saturday in the championship game. “I think the boys put a lot of pressure on themselves,” Wallowa head coach Warren Wilson said. “It was the first time most the these kids have played at this level. “Every team was here for one goal just like us. Some had a lot more experience.” The Cougars’ last trip into the final eight came in 1995, when Wallowa won it all. Tyler Harshfield had the only playoff experience. As a freshman, the Cougars took sixth in 2007. He showed that experience Saturday. Harshfield helped Wallowa jump out in front in the first half 25-23. The senior guard scored 11 points in the opening half, while shooting 3-of-3 from behind the arc. The Cougars stayed in the game by shooting 42 percent from the field. It didn’t last though. In the second half Wallowa shot 29 percent from the floor. “Columbia took a lot of things the kids aren’t used to doing,” Wilson said. “They did a great job.” One thing the Cougars are used to doing is shooting from the free-throw line. That didn’t happen against the Knights. Wallowa made zero trips to the line, while Columbia Christian made 7-of-12 from the line. The Knights kept coming, taking over the lead in the third quarter 35-34. Michael Hickman led the charge with 17 points and 10 rebounds in the game. “We watched a lot of tape on them,” Hickman said. “We knew they were a really athletic team, and we tried to limit the good looks they got. “Everyone on the team played their role tonight. There’s no way this doesn’t happen without everyone selling out.” The Knights knocked the bridesmaid title off their name. Columbia Christian finished second in 2003 through 2005. “This was all for coach (Jim) Flint,” Hickman said. “We wanted to get this one for him.” Ian Parks was the only other player in double figures with 12 points. Harshfield finished the game with 14 points. “The boys had a great season,” Wilson said. “They were able to do a lot of things this school hasn’t done for a long time.” Wallowa won its first league tournament in 30 years, and won the first regular season title in the last 17 years. The Cougars will graduate Harshfield, Jake Johnson, Mark Jamerson and Chance Waters.
WALLOWA 40 WALLOWA (23-3) Harshfield, Tyler 6-10 0-0 16; Parks, Ian 6-11 0-0 12; Gladden, Ronald 3-10 0-0 6; Johnson, Jake 2-13 0-0 4; Jamerson, Mark 1-6 0-0 2; McDaniel, Dusty 0-0 0-0 0; Waters, Chance 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-50 0-0 40. COLUMBIA CHRISTIAN (22-9) Mueller, Braden 7-17 4-5 19; Hickman, Michael 7-13 2-4 17; Poole, Derek 3-6 1-2 7; McDonald, Levi 2-5 0-0 4; Stefan, Johnny 0-1 0-1 0. Totals 19-42 7-12 47.
COLUMBIA CHRISTIAN 11 12 12 12 — 47 3-point goals—WALLOWA 4-15 (Harshfield, Tyler 4-5; Parks, Ian 0-3; Gladden, Ronald 0-1; Johnson, Jake 0-4; Jamerson, Mark 0-2), COLUMBIA CHRISTIAN 2-8 (Mueller, Braden 1-5; Hickman, Michael 1-2; Poole, Derek 0-1). Fouled out — WALLOWA —Jamerson, Mark; Parks, Ian, COLUMBIA CHRISTIAN-None. Rebounds — WALLOWA 27 (Jamerson, Mark 8; Gladden, Ronald 8), COLUMBIA CHRISTIAN 30 (Hickman, Michael 11). Assists — WALLOWA 5 (Johnson, Jake 2; Harshfield, Tyler 2), COLUMBIA CHRISTIAN 3 (Poole, Derek 2). Total fouls — WALLOWA 13, COLUMBIA CHRISTIAN 8. Technical fouls — WALLOWA — None, COLUMBIA CHRISTIAN — None. Qwest Players of the Game: Michael Hickman, Columbia Christian; Tyler Harshfield, Wallowa
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