By Michael Anderson, Correspondent
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YAKIMA -- Needing a spark to separate themselves from Squalicum on Friday night and win their way into the state 2A title game, Clarkston's Bantams went the long route.
Long as in long distance. The Bantams hit seven of their nine 3-pointers in the second half, blowing a close game open along the way and knocking off the Storm, 73-51, in the State 2A basketball tournament semifinals at the Yakima SunDome.
Clarkston (25-1) will play Anacortes at 9 p.m. tonight. The Seahawks (21-5) are in the title game for the second time in three years.
Overall, the 3-point shooting was remarkably balanced. The 3-pointers in the game were split evenly among Jett Sobotta (three) and Davian Sobotta, Trevon Allen and CJ Johnson who had two each.
The Bantams shot 62.5 percent from the field in the second half and hit 77.8 percent from beyond the stripe.
Even Clarkston coach Justin Jones grinned and shrugged when asked about his team's long-range marksmanship.
"We always have the potential to do that; tonight we made the shots," he said. " I think our defense was a big part of that. The defense gave us a lot of extra possessions."
Holding a 25-19 lead at the half, Clarkston hit the 3-pointers in the first 11:25 of the second half. The last of those, by Davian Sobotta, gave the Bantams a 62-39 lead with 4:35 remaining and pointed the Bantams toward their first state championship game.
Cj Johnson led four Clarkston players in double figures with 20 points. Allen had 17, Jett Sobotta had 11 and Sperry 10 to go with 13 rebounds.