BELLEVUE — High school basketball season came to a close earlier this month, but four Basin basketball players had the opportunity to play one more game over the weekend.

Royal’s Caden Allred, Quincy’s Aidan Bews, MLCA/CCS’s Jonah Robertson and Soap Lake’s Trey Landdeck all traveled across the Cascades to Bellevue College for their respective games in the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association’s all-star weekend – the 1B players took on the 2B players, while the 1A players took on the 2A squad.

“It’s been a dream of mine to play in the all-state game since I was a freshman, and I was just like, ‘I’ve just got to work towards that,’” Robertson said. “When I finally got it, I was like, ‘This is what it feels like to play with all the best guys in the state.’ It was a huge honor getting selected for it.”

The 1A versus 2A game ended in a come-from-behind win for the 1A hoopers, mounting a comeback from down 17 points early in the second half to win 99-90.

“We played some pretty good (defense), we were stopping them on defense,” Allred said. “Then we had some quick transition buckets, we got a bunch of rebounds; I think we out-rebounded pretty good. They started forcing some shots, and we freed up a little bit. I think we out-hustled them, that was the biggest thing.”

“We just stuck with it,” Bews said. “It was an all-star game and most of those games, defense is pretty lackadaisical — everyone’s just trying to get cool highlights, but I think the second half we played better as a team. We took better shots, and we came out with the good win there.”

Allred was a first-team all-league talent in the South Central Athletic Conference (East) this season, helping guide the Knights to their league title and an appearance in the 1A Boys Hardwood Classic in Yakima. This was also his second all-state honor this year; the senior received an all-state nod from the Washington State Football Coaches Association in January.

“It was a fun game,” Allred said. “I hit a few shots, we actually ended up beating the 2A (team). It was good seeing all those players from different schools.”

The 1B team didn’t find the same success playing against the 2B all-stars, falling 120-82.

“It was an overall fun experience getting to play with all the best guys in 1B, and that we were all trying to have fun and play together,” Robertson said. 

Criteria for being selected for the all-star games include being seniors who played their full season in the state of Washington, all-league honors and individual statistics. Players can be nominated by their own coaching staff, opposing coaches in their league or a school administrator, according to the WIBCA. Players suit up with teammates from schools that they faced during their high school careers.

“For me, it just kind of clicked,” Allred said. “Most of those boys, we’re all pretty good and able to knock down shots. It was fun to share the ball, play some good defense knowing that if you pass it, they’re going to do something with it.”

The game also serves as a reunion for players who compete in basketball events outside of the high school season, said Bews, a first-team all-leaguer in the Caribou Trail League.

“It was a really cool experience, I was pretty excited when I got invited,” Bews said. “... It was a good time being able to compete with all those guys. Basketball’s a pretty small world, so I knew a lot of them already from playing against them or playing with them for different camps and tournaments. I already knew a lot of the guys going into it.”

One of those reunions was between Robertson and Landdeck, who both played in the Central Washington 1B league. Landdeck was the MVP of the league, while Robertson received first-team all-league honors.

“We knew (Landdeck) was a good passer when we played against him, so instead of trying to take that away, you’re using that to your advantage,” Robertson said. “It makes you think about what (would happen) if he was actually on your team.”

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.

    Soap Lake senior Trey Landdeck (3) shoots a three-pointer during a game against MLCA/CCS. Landdeck was one of two Basin basketball players selected to the 1B all-state team.
  

    Quincy senior Aidan Bews (4) leaps up for the opening tip-off to open a game against Cashmere this season. Bews played on the 1A all-state team last weekend.
  

    MLCA/CCS senior Jonah Robertson earned all-league honors with the Lions this fall. One of the criteria for being selected in the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association’s all-state game is all-league awards.