Summerland's Michael Koenig scored 21 points during Monday's Class C2-5 championship game in Tilden.

Unfortunately for the Bobcats, it wasn't enough to overcome hot-handed Elkhorn Valley, who earned the school's first trip to the state tournament after a 71-53 win.

Coach Brett Kaczor said his squad knew it would be a tough game and made a few adjustments during practice to give them a different look.

"Brendyn Ollendick is a really good player who we tried to keep in check, but he is just so difficult to defend, especially when he gets going from the outside," Kaczor said. "Korbin Werner was really their key offensively early."

The Bobcat coach said Werner "answered the call" to step up and beat Summerland.

"We kept battling though and tried to keep as much game pressure on them as we could in the second half; we just ran out of steam from digging ourselves to deep of a hole right before half time."

Sam Cheatum added 10 points and eight rebounds and Koenig, Preston Hoke and Kellen Mlnarik finished with a steal apiece.

Kaczor said he is proud of the boys and the effort they gave throughout the season, noting they set some "lofty goals" at the start.

"To sit back and realize we were 32 minutes away from playing in the state tournament, it really makes you appreciate the progress we have made. I feel like we have finally turned the corner for our program and that's a testament to our seniors' careers. They have gone from winning two games as freshmen to 18 wins and playing in a district final their last year. I can't thank them enough for the time, effort and pride they have put in for us. They set a new standard for Summerland boys basketball, and now these younger classes need to meet and keep growing that standard," Kaczor said.