KITTITAS - Eric Curtiss scored a career high 34 points and Michael Northup added 11, but their efforts weren't enough to propel the Phoenix to a play-in win at Kittitas.

The 71-53 loss bounced the Columbia Basin Secondary School (CBSS) team out of the district playoffs and ends the Phoenix season.

"I couldn't be prouder of my team and the way they fought to try and win this play off game," coach Rolland Hansen said.

 "My seniors  (Curtiss) and (Northup) played their

hearts out attempting to continue their season."

The game couldn't have gotten of to a worse start for the Phoenix as they were out scored 24-2 in the first quarter.

The team's offense came alive in the second eight minutes of action, but CBSS still trailed 43-23 at the half.

The third quarter saw the Phoenix equal their first half point production as they got within nine point, 55-46.

But a seven point fourth quarter output stymied the CBSS comeback as the team lost by 18 points.

"This was the story of the Tortoise and the Hare as we started slow and sluggish allowing Kittitas to take an early 26 to 2 lead in the beginning of the second quarter," Hansen said. "We finally found our stride and began to climb back into the game, chipping away at the lead and closing to within 13 at the end of the third."

The Phoenix continued to build momentum and closed the gap to eight points with seven minutes to play.

 But CBSS lost two players to foul trouble and another to a knee injury.

"Our subs continued to play hard," Hansen said. "But Kittitas pulled away with the victory after a well balanced game."

DongQi Kan added four point in the losing effort for CBSS.

Pedro Perroti added two, and Jarrod finished with one to round out the scoring for the Phoenix.     

Isaac Johnson led the offensive attack for the Coyotes with 14 points.

Tyler McErvin and Michael Dorman had 12 points each, Chance Forman added 10,

Ty Poole chipped in nine, Jesse McDaniel contributed eight.

Stephen Driver, Kyle Grindrod and Luke Eslinger finished with two points each.