Greyhounds Stick Around

YAKIMA, Wash. — Tony Vela scored all of two Grandview points Thursday at the SunDome, but when the Greyhounds were celebrating their 58-48, win-or-go-home Class 2A state tournament triumph over Tumwater, there was a whole lot of back-slapping, high-fiving and you-da-man pointing directed at the sophomore guard.

That’s because when Christian Schrank scored the Greyhounds’ go-ahead basket with 1:53 to go, it came after a nice drive-and-dish from Vela. And when Derek Newhouse coolly swished a 13-foot jumper 48 seconds later, the reason there wasn’t a hand in his face was because Vela had made another slashing move through the lane, drawing the defenders to himself before dumping it down to Newhouse alone on the baseline.

Tumwater's Jimmy Jensen, center, is surrounded by, from left, Grandview's Derek Newhouse, Jericho Ramos and Christian Schrank during Thursday morning's consolation game in the SunDome. (Gordon King/Yakima Herald-Republic)

Those baskets fueled a 9-0 Grandview run that clinched a 9 a.m. date for the Greyhounds today against Wapato, with the winner of that one clinching a trophy.

“When the ball’s in Tony’s hands, good things are going to happen,” Grandview coach Roy Garcia said of Vela, who finished with six assists. “He is so unselfish, and he’ll always find the open man. And when he’s got the open shot or the lane to the basket, he’s a great finisher, too. It’s going to be a pleasure to watch him for the next couple of years.”

In a back-and-forth game that saw 14 lead changes and nine ties, the teams were knotted at 46-46 when Vela knifed into the lane and earned the payoff to a conversation he’d had earlier with Schrank.

“We saw that (opening) a couple of times, and Tony told me to go to that little box on the right side and he’d find me,” said Schrank, who finished with 14 points.

“It happened a few times,” Vela said. “I’d drive down there and Derek (Newhouse) would be open on the left. That time I drove and looked but didn’t see Derek there, but knew Christian would be in the box .”

“Tony made a nice move off the dribble,” Schrank said, “and then made the great pass.”

“And he was ready for it,” Vela said, returning the compliment, “and made a great move.”

Schrank’s basket put the Greyhounds (17-9) up 48-46, and following a Tumwater turnover, their next trip downcourt was almost a repeat performance. This time, though, Vela looked to Schrank on the right and passed left to Newhouse, who nailed the baseline jumper for the last two of his game-high 17 points.

“That,” Vela said, “was a big relief, getting the lead up from two to four. He’s drained that shot a lot of times for us.”

Down the stretch, Daniel Nielsen (13 points) scored a fast-break layup and hit a pair of free throws as Grandview made its last six foul shots. Kyle Warner led Tumwater (12-13) with 14 points.

For Garcia, getting the Greyhounds into the state tournament in his second year after replacing longtime Grandview coach Scott Parrish was only part of the job.

“Getting here was important, but now the game changes,” Garcia said. “Now we’re here, you win a game, and it’s all about moving forward.”