Greyhounds end season, finish 3rd in State Tournament
Pullman goes 26-1, end career of several key pillars of team
The Pullman High School boys basketball team poses for a photo with the 3rd place trophy after defeating Prosser 57-53, March 4, 2023, in Yakima, Wash.
March 7, 2023
A 4-point win was the final game in the 2022–23 Pullman High School season, the final season of four seniors. Jaedyn Brown, Tanner Barbour, Dane Sykes and Lucian Pendry ended their high school careers on a semi-high note but fell short of the expectations of a State Title.
The Pullman Greyhounds (26-1) beat the Prosser Mustangs (20-6) in the 3rd/5th consolation game by a final score of 57-53.
“It was good to go out on a win, it was not really what we wanted, but it was good to go out on a semi-high note,” Brown said.
The first quarter of the game started off slow for both teams offensively, as after the first eight minutes, Pullman led 11-8. On the defensive end, the Greyhounds held the Mustang to shooting just 2-of-13 from the field, including 2-of-7 from deep.
After another eight minutes, the score was 19-17 in favor of the Greyhounds, one of the lowest-scoring affairs in the 27 games of the Pullman season.
Pullman point guard Jaedyn Brown looks for a pass during a 2A consolation game against Prosser, March 4, 2023, in Yakima, Wash.
During halftime of the game, the Pullman cheer team was recognized with an academic award, as the 3.81 team GPA was the highest of the schools at State.
The second half of the game saw both offensives come alive far more than they were in the first half, but the Greyhounds still paced the Mustangs. Of the 32 minutes in the game, Pullman was ahead for 26:53 and tied for 3:48.
Pullman shooting guard Champ Powaukee jumps for a layup during a 2A consolation game against Prosser, March 4, 2023, in Yakima, Wash.
Brown said that the team knew they just needed to stay focused, despite the struggle on the offensive side of the floor.
“Just staying focused, we knew we had a chance to win it. Just staying locked in on at least one of the ends of the floor throughout the game,” Brown said.
In a game where he shot 75% from the field, Sykes was the leading scorer for the Greyhounds and the game overall, having 18 points on top of 11 rebounds, his second straight double-double.
Pullman shooting forward Dane Sykes passes the ball during a 2A consolation game against Prosser, March 4, 2023, in Yakima, Wash.
Other notable performances were from Brown, who had 17 points, six rebounds and four assists. Austin Hunt scored the first points of the first three quarters en route to a 9-point, 12-rebound performance. The other two scorers were Barbour with 6 points and Champ Powaukee with 7 points.
“I’m happy just that our kids were able to win the season on a win, because it is hard to keep mentally focused after losing the night before,” head coach Craig Brantner said.
Pullman center Austin Hunt jumps for a layup during a 2A consolation game against Prosser, March 4, 2023, in Yakima, Wash.
The win was the 26th of the season for the Greyhounds, one of the greatest seasons in the program’s history. Brantner reflected on the four seniors and how they impacted the team and the younger players on the roster.
“They taught the others what it’s like to work hard and win games. What you need to do to be a state quality team,” Brantner said.
