Samuel leads Cascade to victory over Cle Elum

The Cascade Kodiaks boys’ basketball team earned a road victory over Cle Elum last Saturday night, 64-51. Senior Dillon Samuel led the way with 23 points.
Cascade jumped out to a 14-11 first quarter lead, then dominated the second quarter, outscoring the Warriors 19-2. The Kodiaks led 33-13 at the half. They extended their lead in the third quarter, outscoring Cle Elum 22-15.
The Kodiaks held a 55-28 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Warriors still had a run left him them.
“We had a nice lead going into the fourth quarter. They cut the lead to nine points. We rushed a bit on the offensive end when we should have been slowing down, taking time off the clock. We actually had a few fouls to make the game closer, but we finished it real well,” said Paul Fraker, Cascade head coach.
Cascade has not had many close games this year, so they don’t have much experience closing out games.
“The Chelan games have been close and we haven’t been able to win those. Hopefully, we learned something from this experience, how to play offense and defense when we have a lead. It’s not a position we’ve been in a bunch,” Fraker said.
Making free throws is one good way to seal a win and that is exactly what the Kodiaks were able to do.
“We were shooting them well the whole game. We were aggressive to the basket and got to the line quite a bit. In the fourth quarter, when they were fouling, we made 7-of-8,” Fraker said.
The Kodiaks were 15-for-17 from the line in the game. A highlight came in the fourth quarter when Samuel scored a dunk off a set play.
“That put an exclamation point on the game. Samuel has really stepped up the past couple games. I’m real excited how he is shooting the ball. Mendoza and Samuel really stepped up in game,” Fraker said.
Senior Jose Mendoza had 19 points, freshman Isaac Cortes had 12. On Jan. 9, Cascade played at Cashmere. The Kodiaks were able to hang with the Bulldogs in the first half, but things fell apart in the second half, as they lost 55-36.
“We were playing with intensity and taking care of the basketball. Had a really good start to the game, then it all went south pretty fast about midway through the second quarter. We started turning the ball over at a high rate,” Fraker said. “We had some defensive breakdowns so they were getting some easy looks. They were shooting a high percentage. At halftime, it was still a game, but they ran away with the game in the second half.”
Cashmere led 9-6 in the first quarter, then 25-12 at half. The Bulldogs hammered the Kodiaks 21-4 in the second quarter to go up 46-16. Cascade rallied for 20 points in the fourth quarter but it was too little too late.
Samuel led the Kodiaks with 17 points. Fraker said Cashmere was focusing on taking away Mendoza.
“He’s scored well against them. They really made it a focus to know where he was at on the floor at all times. They did a good job of covering him up, not letting him get too many open shot opportunities,” Fraker said.
Cascade fell to 0-7 in league and 3-11 overall. Despite the losses, Cascade has a good nucleus of young talent with freshman Cole Warnaca and Isaac Cortes and sophomore Hans Schlyer.
“Our young guys are contributing. When you only have two seniors, a lot of guys have to step up and play. Every game, win or lose, is experience for those younger guys. We’re obviously thinking about now. It hurts to lose this many games. Hopefully, we can put it together,” Fraker said. “It’s a little easier to lose with a lot more younger guys than seniors. That’s very difficult. They are learning every game.”
Cascade played at Okanogan (4-3, 9-5) on Jan. 16. Results were not available before press time. On Thursday, Cascade plays at Chelan (3-3, 5-8).
“Playing at Okanogan is always difficult. They are a good team but they are showing they are vulnerable. They’ve lost a couple games. We have to go up there and execute and give ourselves a chance to win in the fourth quarter,” Fraker said.
Ian Dunn can be reached at 548-5286 or editor@leavenworthecho.com.