Toppenish boys handle rival Wapato, keep pace atop CWAC

TOPPENISH, Wash. — With the place boiling over with pressure — rivalry game, senior night, first place on the line — Toppenish’s boys basketball team rose to the occasion.

Toppenish's Shannon Isadore goes up for a shot past Wapato's Shawn Craig, left, and Gibby Patterson, center, during the first half of their game on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. (SARA GETTYS/Yakima Herald-Republic)

Clinging to a one-point lead after the first period, the Wildcats hit the gas in the second quarter and never let up en route to a 64-42 victory over Wapato in CWAC play Tuesday night.

Senior Shannon Isadore scored a game-high 19 points and added seven rebounds and seven assists as Top-Hi kept pace with Grandview atop the standings with one game left.

Eighth-ranked Toppenish improved to 14-3 in league and 15-4 overall heading into Friday’s regular-season finale at Prosser. Wapato (12-5, 13-6), which slipped into fourth, closes at East Valley.

Regrouping from losses in each of the last two weeks, Toppenish was as sharp as ever Tuesday night, outscoring Wapato 52-31 over the final three quarters.

Wes Williams put together 10 points and five rebounds for the balanced Wildcats, who also got nine points from Randy Isadore and Kyle Jamison.

Toppenish completed a conference sweep over its rival, having won at Wapato 54-49 on Jan. 13.

Ozzie George led the Wolves with 12 points.