By Michael Anderson
Special to the Spokesman-Review
YAKIMA -- Pullman's David Ungerer knew he was the only player on the floor under 6-foot tall as the Greyhounds entered overtime against Lynden in the boys state 2A championship game Saturday afternoon.
But that didn't stop the gritty point guard from taking over, scoring six points and dishing an accidental assist to have a hand in all of Pullman's scoring and propelling the Greyhounds (23-2) to their second straight state title with a 64-58 win over the Lions at the Yakima SunDome.
The Greyhounds were forced into overtime after losing an eight-point lead in the fourth period. Lynden sophomore Sterling Somers -- who led all scorers with 22 points -- hit a sensational 3-pointer from deep in the left corner with two men guarding him to tie the contest with two seconds remaining in regulation.
"Lynden is a team of champions; we knew they would make a run," Ungerer said of the vanquished Lions. "They won here when we were sophomores and Number 13 made an unbelievable shot to tie the game today. But our six seniors weren't giving up."
Ungerer, who will play football as a slot receiver at the University of Idaho in the fall, then seemed to have no limit to his late heroics.
He had two fields goals in the first 1:03 of the extra period before his forced 10-foot airball with 24 seconds remaining turned into a nifty assist. Micah Langerquist grabbed the floating ball and converted it into a lay-in.
Ungerer then closed out the scoring with two free throws with 23 seconds left.
Ungerer and Race Martin were first-team all tourney choices with Martin the MVP. AJ Miles, who led the Greyhounds with 21 points.
After hitting just two 3-pointers as a team in the semifinals against Anacortes, Miles -- Pullman's best long-range shooter -- hit four of seven in the first 16 minutes and had five for the game.
"They (Lynden) were so worried about AJ in the overtime that they made it easier for me to get open," Ungerer. "He's my best friend and I'm so happy about how he came back tonight."