SALEM, Ore. — It's true that it's still December, but Yakima Valley and Columbia Basin went at it like the NWAACC championship was at stake during Saturday's matchup in the Chemeketa Holiday Invitational.

And after 12 ties and eight lead changes, the Yaks came away with an 82-80 victory on Tana Stickney's 18-foot jumper with 10 seconds to play.

The win gave fifth-ranked YVCC its fifth consecutive Chemeketa tourney title improved its record to 12-2. Fourth-ranked CBC slipped to 10-3 with its first loss to an NWAACC opponent.

"It was an extremely fun game to be a part of," Yakima Valley coach Cody Butler said, "and we have two more to look forward to in league."

Indeed, the Yaks and Hawks will square off twice in Eastern Region play — Jan. 19 at Pasco and Feb. 9 in Yakima.

YVCC, having completed its non-league schedule, begins region play next Saturday at Wenatchee Valley.

Andrea Blodgett had
17 points and seven rebounds while Stickney and Alex Moore-Porter came off the bench for 15 and 14 points, respectively.

The Yaks trailed 72-69 with 5:01 to play, but Moore-Porter made a free throw to start a 5-0 YVCC run. A basket by Stickney tied it w with 3:55 left, and she followed with two free throws for a 74-72 Yakima Valley edge with 3:17 remaining.

YVCC's lead would ould reach 80-75 with 1:24 to play, but CBC's Nikki DePeel hit a 3-pointer and followed with a layup to tie it with 33 seconds to go.

Yakima Valley called time and Butler diagrammed an out-of-bounds play for Blodgett to drive off a high screen. Blodgett did so, then kicked the ball back to Stickney who took one dribble to move inside the 3-point line, and buried her shot.

DePeel, attempting to drive to the basket, was tied up by Kylie Shaw, giving the ball back to the Yaks.

DePeel and Monique Wickenhagen, the former Naches Valley standout, shared scoring honors for Columbia Basin with 18 points apiece. And while both teams shot extremely well from the field — the Hawks hit 52 percent while YVCC nailed 50 — CBC made only 9 of 23 free throws.

Yakima Valley also helped negate its 30 turnovers by outrebounding the Hawks 39-31.

"Both teams had a lot of intensity and it was an all-out battle," Butler said. "Both teams were applying tons of pressure. It was just a great game."

COLUMBIA BASIN — Nikki DePeel 7-11 1-2 18, Allen 2-5 1-4 5, Begali 2-4 2-2 6, Thomas 2-7 1-6 6, Brittany Cherry 5-8 0-0 10, Brings Yellow 0-1 0-0 0, Rada 1-3 2-4 4, Alexander 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 30-58 9-23 80.

YAKIMA VALLEY — Hernandez 2-7 0-0 6, Baker 1-2 1-1 3, Weaver 3-8 0-0 9, Harris 3-5 0-0 6, Andrea Blodgett 6-11 3-3 17, Alex Moore-Porter 6-9 2-5 14, Woodke 0-2 0-0 0, Nill 2-3 0-0 5, Dixey 2-3 0-2 4, Shaw 1-4 0-0 3, Tana Stickney 4-6 6-6 16. Totals 30-60 12-17 82.

Halftime — Columbia Basin 47, Yakima Valley 45. 3-point goals — Columbia Basin 11-19 (DePeel 3-6, Guthrie 2-3, Wickenhagen 5-7, Thomas 1-3). Yakima Valley 10-21 (Hernandez 2-5, Weaver 3-6, Harris 0-2, Blodgett 2-5, Nill 1-1, Shaw 1-1, Stickney 1-1). Fouled out — None. Rebounds — Columbia Basin 31 (Begali 6); Yakima Valley 39 (Moore-Porter 8, Blodgett 7). Assists — Columbia Basin 17 (DePeel 5); Yakima Valley 18 (Baker 5). Turnovers — Columbia Basin 24, Yakima Valley 30. Total fouls — Columbia Basin 15, Yakima Valley 19.