Rainier Beach’s Big Second Half Drops O’Dea

Posted on January 23, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Monday	Jan 20th	2014	3A	Boys	Basketball
Garfield High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Rainier Beach	21	14	30	18	83
O'Dea	18	10	17	17	62

See game recap below

Rainier Beach’s Big Second Half Drops O’Dea
By Colin Caruso

In a packed Garfield High School gym for the Unity in the Community Showcase, the first matchup saw an unblemished Rainier Beach Vikings squad the strong O’Dea Fighting Irish. Rainier Beach has travelled multiple times this season to play the elite teams in the nation, with their last trip to Massachusetts producing another win for the Vikings. Rule of thumb, if you are playing Beach, pray that they are having an off day or else they may put 100 up on the board.

O’Dea played Beach well for the first half in this contest. They were able to keep pace with the Vikings, who do not run half court offenses; they are constantly in transition and moving the ball with ease. Against a team like Beach, turnovers and even made baskets lead to fast breaks for the Vikings. But O’Dea played well in the first half and limited the Vikings to just 35 points.

The third quarter is when Beach made their run. A monstrous 30 point quarter, led by Dejunte Murray’s 12 points in that quarter alone, stifled the O’Dea dream of an upset. Shaqquan Aaron and David Crisp both added seven points in the quarter, and no matter what coach Hairston drew up for the Irish, Beach had an answer on the other end of the floor.

With a 30-18 blowout third quarter, Rainier Beach coasted through the fourth quarter. Both teams emptied their benches late and Beach came away with a 83-62 win.

Top Performer:
Rainier Beach
David Crisp – 25 points

Crusaders Complete Season Sweep of Lakeside Despite Brown’s 39

Posted on January 20, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Friday	Jan 17th	2014	3A	Boys	Basketball
Lakeside High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Eastside Catholic	14	20	20	19	73
Lakeside	14	13	22	19	68

See game recap below

Crusaders Complete Season Sweep of Lakeside Despite Brown’s 39
By Steven Dion

The 3A runner-up from a season ago has unveiled its new gym, a spectacular venue for high school basketball. All that is missing at this point for Lakeside is a win at the new house. The Lions would get their chance to pick up that victory Friday night against Eastside Catholic following up a 53 point performance by Isiah Brown last week against O’Dea. The Crusaders have established themselves as a formidable force in the Metro League with a combination of athleticism and precision shooting. The Lions would need a complete thirty-two minutes of play to take down their division foe sitting ahead in the standings.

An energetic Lakeside student section gave their Lions a lift early as Brown knocked down his first two shots, a double-clutch jumper and a rainmaker from the perimeter. Freshman guard Daejon Davis jumped the passing lane on a Crusader possession and finished strong with a highlight dunk. Eastside Catholic demonstrated their multi-faceted scoring abilities as slashing buckets at the cup and three-balls began to fall. ECHS set a tough trap in the Lakeside backcourt which gave Lion guards trouble with their entry passes into the offensive zone. The Crusaders were 8/19 from downtown in the ballgame. A double-digit lead ECHS built midway through the second frame was cut to seven going into halftime. At the break, the visitors led 34-27.

Lakeside rallied behind their freshman prodigy Daejon Davis early in the third as the 6’2” guard forced his way into the paint on several trips down the floor. His aggressiveness led to eight points in that third frame for the Lions. Crusader senior Ian Christie twisted his ankle and did not return in the ballgame for EC. Brown continued to sizzle throughout that second half as the bulk of his game-high 39 points came in the final sixteen minutes of the contest. Despite allowing the Lions to tie the ball game in the second half, the Crusaders retained their composure by knocking down buckets when needed. The exclamation point in the game was a tomahawk slam by forward Matisse Thybulle. When the buzzer sounded, ECHS picked up their eighth league win to the tune of a 73-68 victory.

Top Performer:
Lakeside
Isaiah Brown – 39 points (11/23 FG’s, 14/16 FT’s)

Ballard Grinds Out One Point Victory over Bothell

Posted on January 20, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Tuesday	Jan 14th	2014	4A	Boys	Basketball
Ballard High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Bothell	10	20	16	14	60
Ballard	19	10	18	14	61

See game recap below

Ballard Grinds Out One Point Victory over Bothell
By Steven Dion

Tuesday night’s slate of league matchups included a clash of familiar foes in KingCo 4A opponents Bothell and host Ballard. The Cougars (7-5, 3-4 league) have stumbled through the first few weeks of league play after winning the Bothell Christmas Classic. The Beavers (7-5, 4-4 league) are looking to keep pace with Garfield and Issaquah in the competitive Crown division. A much-needed win was up for grabs Tuesday night.

The home team got off to a hot start as Ballard registered 19 points in the first frame. The Beavs were aggressive on the boards and came up with the majority of 50/50 balls. The Cougars often ease into a scoring rhythm so the nine point deficit after quarter one did not discourage Bothell. The Cougars moved the ball much better in the second frame resulting in higher percentage shots. Bothell was a perfect eight for eight from the charity stripe in the second quarter and quietly grabbed the lead. At the halftime buzzer, Ballard senior Morris Fortmann buried a half-court heave. The home team trailed by a single point at the break,30-29.

The second half fed off the energy created in the first sixteen minutes as the lead seemingly changed after each bucket. Bothell senior and University of Minnesota commit Josh Martin scored a game-high 20 points in the contest, but ran into foul trouble in the third and eventually registered the fifth and final penalty midway through the fourth. The final sequence of plays had everyone in the Ballard gymnasium on the edge of their seats. Trailing by four with less than ten seconds remaining, Cougar guard Hunter Dean dished it to Peyton Cordova-Smith in the corner who drained a three-ball after a fortuitous shooter’s roll. On the ensuing inbound, Ballard received a five count and turned the ball back over. Dean caught the inbound and fired a jumper from the wing; a foul was called. However, the official ruled a non-shooting foul. When the ball was inbounded again, Dean slipped on a puddle of sweat and received a travelling call. The Beavers were able to inbound the ball and run out the clock even though it appeared Bothell intentionally fouled the ball-carrier before the buzzer sounded. After the dust settled, the home team escaped with a 61-60 victory.

Top Performer:
Bothell
Josh Martin – 20 points

Rainier Beach Hits Triple Digit Scoring Twice in One Week in Win Over Crusaders

Posted on January 14, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Friday	Jan 10th	2014	3A	Boys	Basketball
Rainier Beach High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Eastside Catholic	12	14	29	15	70
Rainier Beach	21	23	22	34	100

See game recap below

Rainier Beach Hits Triple Digit Scoring Twice in One Week in Win Over Crusaders
By Steven Dion

It is no surprise that top ten nationally ranked Rainier Beach enters every game they play as heavy favorites, even against top teams the state of Washington has to offer. Eastside Catholic ventured into Crawford Court Friday night as one of the best squads statewide, but staring down the South Seattle juggernaut as an underdog.

The Vikings were able to get their offense going quickly as senior captains D’Juan Piper and Shaqquan Aaron combined for 15 of Beach’s 21 points of the quarter. Eastside Catholic’s size disadvantage forced them to take shots from the perimeter, which were feast or famine throughout the contest. The home team got a nice lift from the bench as junior guard Shadeed Shabazz scored eight in the second frame, resulting from penetration into the paint and finishing at the cup. The Viks led 44-26 at the break.

Eastside Catholic entered the second half in high gear as they were able to score more in the third quarter than they did all first half, 29 points in all. The Crusaders received a huge confidence boost when the three pointers began to fall through. Rainier Beach’s eagerness to run up and down the floor opened up the court to fastbreaks for ECHS from errant Viks passing. A tomahawk dunk by Mandrell Worthy fired up the Eastside bench and student section alike. Shaqquan Aaron had the type of dunk seen on Sportscenter’s Top 10 in the third quarter, but a technical foul was called after the play. This led to a series of technical fouls from physical play for both teams. This slowed down the game greatly. Aaron’s relentlessness on the offensive end yielded him a total of sixteen trips to the free-throw line, most in the fourth quarter. A 34 point surge by Beach spurned the mini comebacks the Crusaders threatened with. RBHS capped off the contest by tipping in a missed free throw with seconds remaining for the 99th and 100th point. When the horn sounded, Beach remains undefeated by the final score of 100-70.

Top Performer:
Rainier Beach
Shaqquan Aaron – 24 points

Garfield Handles Newport for Second Time

Posted on January 14, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Friday	Jan 10th	2014	4A	Boys	Basketball
Garfield High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Newport	11	12	11	26	60
Garfield	20	15	18	24	77

See game recap below

Garfield Handles Newport for Second Time
By Colin Caruso

Good news came to the Newport Knights Friday night when they heard the news of second leading scorer Brayon Blake for the Garfield Bulldogs would not play. This could be their opportunity to conquer the mighty undefeated Bulldogs, who trounced the Knights by 25 earlier this year. Unfortunately for the Knights their leading scorer, senior leader, and captain, Will Ferris, accumulated three fouls in the first four minutes of the contest and had to sit the rest of the first half. At this point in the game, Newport looked strong, leading 9-4 and controlling the pace of the game. After Ferris sat, the Bulldogs closed the quarter on a 16-2 run.

Garfield continued to pressure the Knights on the defensive end; with their quickness and off-ball screens, the Bulldogs were able to extend their lead to 12 at the half.

The game opened up in the second half, with Ferris coming back in and picking up an early foul in the third, forcing him to sit again. This is when the Bulldogs put together another big run. Garfield outscored Newport 18-11 in the third, led by Tramaine Isabell and freshman Jaylen Nowell. With a 19 point lead going into the fourth on their home floor, Garfield cruised to a final of 77-60 to remain undefeated on the season. Newport is still looking for their first league win.

Top Performer:
Garfield
Tramaine Isabell – 29 points

West Seattle Pounces On Prep Panthers

Posted on January 10, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Wednesday	Jan 8th	2014	3A	Girls	Basketball
Seattle Prep High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
West Seattle	12	9	10	9	40
Seattle Prep	4	13	7	11	35

See game recap below

West Seattle Pounces On Prep Panthers
By Steven Dion

One of the many games slated for this Wednesday night was a Metro League clash between the visiting Wildcats of West Seattle against the Seattle Prep Panthers. The Sound division leading Wildcats (4-1 league, 7-3 overall) are without a senior on the roster, but experienced nonetheless and loaded with a powerful frontcourt. Michelle Hall’s Prep squad (3-4, 4-7) are coming off a state runner-up season, but the graduation of integral seniors from the 2012-2013 campaign have left the 15 year coach with a young team. This Wednesday night home game would be a step in the right direction for the blue and white.

The first quarter started with a 8-0 run for West Seattle. Lydia Giomi’s rebounding ability created multiple scoring opportunities on single possessions which helped the Cats grab a 12-4 lead after the first quarter. Prep responded to their mismatch nicely by knocking down shots from the perimeter. Their three buckets from downtown in the period brought the Panthers back within four points at the half. At intermission, WSHS led 21-17.

Seattle Prep’s senior leader Mary Ann Santucci heated up in the third quarter; unfortunately she was the only one doing the scoring for the Panthers. This low-scoring affair kept the ballgame balanced even though West Seattle was able to retain the lead they garnered from the tipoff. The Wildcats were able to protect the ball in the fourth quarter as Seattle Prep attempted to make a late run. They drew fouls instead of turning the ball over and buried four of five in the process. Prep got a pair of three-balls late by Santucci, but it was not enough to erase the deficit for the home team as West Seattle picked up the 40-35 victory.

Top Performer:
Seattle Prep
Mary Ann Santucci – 15 points (3 3pt FG’s, 2/2 FT’s)

Rainier Beach puts up 115

Posted on January 10, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Tuesday	Jan 7th	2014	3A	Boys	Basketball
Rainier Beach High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Nathan Hale	18	14	20	18	70
Rainier Beach	33	25	39	18	115

See game recap below

Rainier Beach puts up 115
By Colin Caruso

The defending state champion Rainier Beach Vikings have already had a phenomenal season, and we aren’t even to February. The 10-0 Vikings have already beaten teams from all over the country, the likes of Bishop Gorman in Nevada and Whitney Young in Illinois. They faced up against a 3A metro team on Tuesday night looking to build upon their close seven point win in Bainbridge just four days prior.

Nathan Hale, instead of attempting to slow the contest down, did what they could to keep up pace with the amazingly athletic Vikings. The Raiders from Hale continuously put up shots early in the shot clock, giving Beach the ability to get up and down the floor with simplicity and grace. Rainier Beach flirted with the full court press in the first half, and went into the locker room with a commanding 58-32 lead.

The third quarter proved to be a three point entourage from the Vikings. Seven threes on the quarter, three from transfer David Crisp, pushed the Vikings to an outpouring of 39 points in the eight minute quarter. That is averaging almost five points per minute, or right around a point every 12 seconds. Hale guard Steven Shpreyregin did what he could to keep up with the Vikings, scoring 23 on his own. But his talents were trumped by this heavy favorite to win the state title. Beach took the home contest 115-70.

Top Performer:
Rainier Beach
Shaqquan Aaron – 27 points
David Crisp – 23 points

Issaquah Soars Over Bothell in League Showdown

Posted on January 8, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Tuesday	Jan 7th	2014	4A	Boys	Basketball
Bothell High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Issaquah	24	5	19	17	65
Bothell	12	17	12	15	56

See game recap below

Issaquah Soars Over Bothell in League Showdown
By Steven Dion

The marquee matchup of 4A KingCo on Tuesday night was undoubtedly a clash of the Eagles from Issaquah and host Bothell Cougars. Issaquah (5-4 overall, 4-1 league) are striving to keep pace with undefeated Garfield and create separation with the rest of the Crown division. Bothell (7-4, 3-3) are also in second place in their respective Crest division and are led by dynamic senior Josh Martin. If the Cougs could supply Martin with plenty of shots and get contributions up and down the roster, Bothell would have a great opportunity to send their crowd home happy.

Jason Griffith drew up a near-perfect game plan for this game as Issaquah imposed their will to play the way they wanted to. Their back-court pressure forced several Bothell turnovers early which led to points in bunches. The Eagles scored 24 points in the first frame, 11 of which from the hot hand of Ty Gibson who scored a team-high 19 points. Bothell switched to a zone defense in the second quarter and it paid dividends. Issaquah had difficulty penetrating into the paint and were forced to take outside shots that were not falling as regularly. The Cougars picked up momentum in the second quarter as freshman Josh Kollman buried two from downtown and Martin ignited the crowd with blocks that led to three of his thirteen total field goals in the game. At the break, the game was knotted up at 29 apiece.

The Eagles were eager to mimic their scoring spree in the first quarter and forget about the five points registered in the second as they distributed the rock to their several options on offense. Additionally, Josh Martin’s rebounding ability for Bothell was understood by the Eagles, but limiting boards from the rest of the Cougs was achieved successfully. The Eagles grabbed a seven point lead heading into the fourth quarter and kept the pedal down. The last few comeback spurts by BHS were thwarted quickly and Issaquah was able to pick up a big road win by the final score of 65 to 56.

Top Performer:
Bothell
Josh Martin – 33 points

Winning is Deja Vu with Inglemoor’s Strother

Posted on January 6, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Friday	Jan 4th	2014	3A-4A	Girls	Basketball
Bishop Blanchet High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Inglemoor	19	11	9	11	50
Bishop Blanchet	4	10	8	12	34

See game recap below

Winning is Deja Vu with Inglemoor’s Strother
By Steven Dion

Bishop Blanchet has established itself as a contender in the Metro League in this young season as their pair of dynamic freshmen in Jaydn Bush and Taylor Chambers complement an experienced Braves roster. Bryan Willison’s squad had a true test on Saturday as last year’s sixth place finisher in 4A Inglemoor made a visit for a non-league matchup. Blanchet would give up length in this contest as Inglemoor entered with a significant size advantage. If Inglemoor could neutralize Blanchet’s speedy guards, the Viks would have a good chance to pick up a quality road win.

The first quarter set the tone for the game as cold shooting from both teams in the opening minutes changed in favor of the Vikings as sophomore Deja Strother entered the game. The 6’4” center registered five field goals in the first frame after coming off the bench and Inglemoor grabbed a 19-4 lead after quarter one. Strother’s physicality and rebounding ability outmatched the Blanchet opposition all game long. BBHS remained resilient in the second quarter as Chamber buried a pair of three pointers and Bush knocked down five of six free throws before the break. At halftime, Inglemoor grabbed a commanding lead at 30-14.

The Vikings continued their relentless play on both sides of the floor as John Augustavo’s team made highlight blocks on defense and quality offensive possessions at the other end. Bishop Blanchet was able to keep pace, but trailing by double digits meant they would have to find a way to outscore the Viks. The home team just did not have the recipe to make the comeback happen. Inglemoor chewed up the clock in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. When the buzzer sounded, the Vikings were victorious by the score of 50-34. Look for Inglemoor to make a deep playoff run this season as Strother’s presence on the floor changes the complexion of the game. The dynamic sophomore disrupts most shots for opposing teams and is a lethal scoring option in the front court.

Top Performer:
Inglemoor
Deja Strother – 15 points

Hale Prevails in Three Point Shootout With Ingraham

Posted on January 6, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Friday	Jan 3rd	2014	3A	Boys	Basketball
Ingraham High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Nathan Hale	13	9	17	25	64
Ingraham	20	7	6	17	50

See game recap below

Hale Prevails in Three Point Shootout With Ingraham
By Steven Dion

The first Friday of 2014 delivered several quality hoops matchups; one of which a showdown between Nathan Hale and host Ingraham. Both teams are jockeying for position in the highly competitive Metro League. Marques Chinn’s Ram squad is undersized, but fortunately makes up for it with an active guard duo of Jovan Owens and D’Olajuwon Swanks. The Raiders also boast a strong pair of guards in Tim Iwuhoa and Gadisa Margarsa that have size and athleticism.

Ingraham shot out of the gates with a 10-0 run sparked by Owens’ perimeter shooting. Hale cut into the deficit with a pair of triples by Steven Shpreyregin, but Owens struck back in a big way by draining a half-court shot at the buzzer to close out the first quarter with a 20-13 lead. The second quarter was a coach’s nightmare for both sides as poor shot selection and unnecessary fouls plagued both sides. The Raiders cut into the Ram lead marginally in the second quarter by edging the home team out 9-7 in the second frame. At the half, Ingraham led 27-22.

Nathan Hale certainly received a stern halftime talk by coach Chris Weakley for a relatively sloppy first half because the Raiders put together an impressive second sixteen minutes. Ingraham’s inability to score in the paint from their forwards extended a scoring drought into the third frame as the Rams only netted six points. NHHS started knocking down jumpers in transition through superior ball distribution by Tim Iwuhoa. The fourth quarter featured a shooting spree from Hale guards Shpreyregin and Nate Hartman as both seniors drained two from downtown. Ingraham could not recover from the deficit despite a late surge by Raymond Horne who scored twelve of his eighteen in the final quarter. Final score: Nathan Hale 64 Ingraham 50.

Top Performer:
Nathan Hale
Steven Shpreyregin – 23 points (7/10 FT’s, 4 3 pt. FG’s)

Seattle Prep Clinches Late Win Against Rival O’Dea

Posted on January 6, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Friday	Jan 3rd	2014	3A	Boys	Basketball
Seattle Prep High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
O'Dea	11	11	13	10	45
Seattle Prep	8	11	14	16	49

See game recap below

Seattle Prep Clinches Late Win Against Rival O’Dea
By Colin Caruso

Seattle Prep held two leads in this game, 15-14 in the middle of the second quarter and when it mattered the most, when the clock struck 0:00. O’Dea led at every other moment of the game, but couldn’t close it out in their rival’s gym. The Irish controlled the pace of play from the beginning of the contest. They were more physical, gathered more rebounds, and scored with ease in the interior. The Irish led 11-8 after the first quarter, and 22-19 at the half.

O’Dea senior big Jacob Lampkin carried the Irish in the first half with 11 of his 13 coming prior to third quarter. But only two points after the break, and a Panther defense focused on keeping him out of the game really turned the tide for Prep. The Panthers were having a tough time knocking down the three ball in the first three quarters, but senior guard Marc Caindec and freshman guard Aaron Nettles were not deterred, they kept firing. The most critical was Nettles’ three to put the Panthers up two, 47-45 with just under a minute to play. The Panthers then forced an Irish turnover, and junior Jack Stewart knocked down two free-throws to close out the contest 49-45.

Top Performer:
Seattle Prep
Jordan Kitchen – 16 points

Enumclaw Narrowly Slips Past Resilient Cascade Christian

Posted on January 3, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Thursday	Dec 26th	2013	3A-1A	Boys	Basketball
Kennedy High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Enumclaw	15	11	12	14	52
Cascade Christian	8	11	11	14	44

See game recap below

Enumclaw Narrowly Slips Past Resilient Cascade Christian
By Steven Dion

The Sterling Athletics Christmas Classic started with an interesting matchup between a large public school and a small Christian school. Coach Kellen Hall’s Enumclaw squad entered this contest with a significant size advantage in addition to experience as the Hornets six seniors outnumber Cascade Christian’s one. However, the Cougars from the Puyallup Valley led by Jerry Williams were prepared to go toe-to-toe with their SPSL opponent.

Enumclaw established their dominance quickly as the opening tip resulted in an outlet pass and a score in mere seconds. Hornet forward Zac Webb outscored the entire Cougar roster in the first quarter as he notched 10 of his 20 points in the opening frame. The Cougs seemed to take a collective deep breath going into the second quarter because the tides began to change. Jordan Tveter continued to have the hot hand as three more jumpers fell for the junior. The vastly undersized CCHS squad surprisingly started to win the rebounding battle. After an identical second quarter output, the Hornets led 26-19 at the break.

Cascade Christian returned to the floor with the “bend-don’t-break” mentality which kept Enumclaw within reach. The Cougars accepted the underdog role with open arms by out-hustling the Hornets and forcing them to cough up the ball. EHS countered with aggressive play, but translated to numerous player-control fouls. Despite Enumclaw’s scoring woes, they held an eight point lead into the fourth quarter. CCHS started to shoot threes; this is when the hoop grew to the size of a swimming pool for the Cougars. After the first two dropped, people entered the Kennedy gym as if by magnetic force because Enumclaw’s lead was shrinking. Another pair of threes fell through and the Cascade Christian sideline erupted as they trailed by a single point. This is when Enumclaw seniors Drake Rademacher and Bryce Peterson said enough is enough. The Hornet duo demanded the ball and forced their way to the bucket and drew fouls. The Hornets were able to weather the storm and escape with a 52-44 win.

Top Performer:
Enumclaw
Zac Webb – 20 pts (4/5 FT’s)

Seattle Academy Spoils Host Lancers Christmas Party

Posted on January 3, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Thursday	Dec 26th	2013	3A-1A	Boys	Basketball
Kennedy High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Seattle Academy	11	17	18	19	65
Kennedy Catholic	5	19	11	10	45

See game recap below

Seattle Academy Spoils Host Lancers Christmas Party
By Steven Dion

The nightcap of the first round of the Sterling Athletics Christmas Classic featured the Cardinals of Seattle Academy and host Kennedy Catholic. Despite their 1A classification, the SA Cardinals carry a much deeper roster as their team of fifteen outnumbers their 3A counterpart by five players. Additionally, the Cardinals are composed of entirely upperclassmen with the exception of sophomore guard Ian McManus. Conversely, Kennedy’s Spencer Weisberg is the lone senior on the young Lancers squad from the Seamount League. Would Kennedy be able to feed off their home crowd en route to the second round of the Christmas Classic?

The first four minutes of the contest were sloppy from an offensive standpoint as Kennedy was stuck at three points for extended time. Seattle Academy was slow out of the gates too as their star trio of Daniel Davydov, Ben Gerke, and Jeremiah Hobbs combined for seven points in the first eight minutes. After trailing 11-5 in the first quarter, Kennedy’s offense woke up. The Lancers netted seven field goals and earned some trips to the charity stripe where they knocked down four of five. Seattle Academy upped their efficiency in the second frame too as their seventeen points protected their lead heading into halftime. Seattle Academy’s ability to keep all four Lancer posts scoreless in the first half earned them a 28-24 lead into the break.

After knocking down only one three-ball in the first half, Seattle Academy found their touch from the perimeter in the third quarter. Gerke and Davydov both drained two from downtown in a back-breaking third frame for the Lancers. The Cardinals were able to increase their point total in each successive quarter whereas Kennedy experience a significant dropoff after their strong second frame. Leading by eleven going into the final eight minutes, the Cardinals were able to allot minutes to their bench and put the game into cruise control down the stretch. Burying nine of eleven free throws in the fourth put a stamp on the contest as the senior Daniel Davydov continued his consistent scoring with seven of his game-high twenty two coming in the final quarter. When the dust settled, Seattle Academy rolled to a 65-45 win.

Top Performer:
Seattle Academy
Daniel Davydov – 22 points (8/10 FT’s)

Clash of Nobility Resulted in King’s Knights Victory over Royals

Posted on January 3, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Thursday	Dec 26th	2013	4A-1A	Boys	Basketball
Kennedy High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
King's	16	16	14	18	64
Kent Meridian	12	10	14	20	56

See game recap below

Clash of Nobility Resulted in King’s Knights Victory over Royals
By Steven Dion

Game three of the first round of the Christmas Classic at Kennedy High School mashed up a 1A school in King’s against the 4A Royals of Kent-Meridian. The guard duo of Quincy Brown and Romaine Jackson would prove to be a tough matchup for a King’s roster loaded with forwards. However, Rick Skeen’s has prepared his Knights to be able to play up against higher classification teams.

The Royals quickly established they wanted to run up and down the floor on both sides of the ball. King’s adjusted nicely and their ball movement was able to counteract KM’s energy. The backcourt presence of Royals guards opened up the King’s attacking zone and their superior ball-movement led to easy buckets. Seven Knights scored in the first quarter and as a result led 16-12 after the first quarter. KMHS head coach Brian Lockhart made a defensive adjustment in the second frame to apply slightly less pressure in the King’s backcourt forcing them to move the ball up the floor. Brown and Jackson began to jump into passing lanes and set up the Royals for some transition buckets. Junior Chris Lewis nailed another three pointer in the period; one of his five from downtown in the contest. However, King’s was able to match their sixteen points from the first quarter to carry a 32-22 lead into the break.

Trailing by double digits meant Kent-Meridian would have to take some chances on the offensive end to claw back into the contest. Shooting triples appeared to be their strategy in doing so. Lewis knocked down a pair from downtown in the third, but the team shooting percentage was low. King’s continued their gritty attack in the paint and protected their ten point lead going into the fourth. The Royals put together a solid fourth quarter, but failure to bury buckets from close range dashed their hope of vying for the lead. Freshman Knight Corey Kispert pulled down several critical rebounds in addition to scoring a game-high twenty points. When the buzzer sounded, King’s claimed a 64-56 win.

Top Performer:
King’s
Corey Kispert – 20 points (4/7 FT’s)

Meadowdale Lady Mavs Ride over Roosevelt in Rebel Challenge

Posted on January 3, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Saturday	Dec 28th	2013	3A-4A	Girls	Basketball
Juanita High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Meadowdale	11	8	15	18	52
Roosevelt	8	15	13	9	44

See game recap below

Meadowdale Lady Mavs Ride over Roosevelt in Rebel Challenge
By Steven Dion

The fifth of eight games on Saturday’s slate of the Rebel Challenge on the main court presented a clash of two 4A squads in Roosevelt and Meadowdale. The Lady Roughriders and Mavericks offer a similar skill set in prominent guard play and effective jump shooting. This game was up for grabs throughout and the team that was able to convert in critical possessions down the stretch earned the victory.

Meadowdale established their commitment to challenge Roosevelt early as they created ample scoring opportunities. However, eleven trips to the free throw line in addition to a shooting spree only resulted in eleven points for the Mavs. Roosevelt did not find their groove early, but eight points was enough to keep them within one possession heading into the second quarter. The scoring dropped off in the second quarter for Marcus Merrifield’s Mavericks as only one of nine free throws fell through. Conversely, Roosevelt dropped a pair of three balls en route to a fifteen point second frame. At the half, the Roughriders grabbed a 23-19 lead.

Meadowdale entered the second half rejuvenated and prepared to shore up efficiency issues experienced in the first half. The Mavericks drained three triples in a fifteen point third quarter where two of three free throws were good. Roosevelt stayed consistent in the third by notching thirteen points and taking a lead into the final period. This is where the Riders offense fell off in a big way. Their guard trio in Izzy Mason, Serena Toney, and Hannah Swanson account for all of Roosevelt’s nine points in the quarter. Meadowdale saved their best for last as six Mavs scored in the final eight minutes. Ciarra Hart knocked down her third three and Kearstin Franco netted seven in the quarter. MHS’s game-high eighteen point fourth quarter stole the lead and ultimately the win. Final score: Meadowdale, Roosevelt 45.

Top Performer:
Meadowdale
Ciarra Hart – 15 points (3-3 3-point FG’s, 4/10 FT’s)

W.F. West Bounds over Kangaroos in Rebel Challenge

Posted on January 3, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Saturday	Dec 28th	2013	3A-2A	Girls	Basketball
Juanita High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
W.F. West	15	7	10	15	47
Lake Washington	4	9	10	15	38

See game recap below

W.F. West Bounds over Kangaroos in Rebel Challenge
By Steven Dion

Day two of the round robin format of the Rebel Classic at Juanita High School featured a 2A showdown between Lake Washington and the Lady Bearcats of W.F. West. The KingCo League Kangs would have their hands full in this matchup as their Evergreen League counterpart has two 6’3” posts in Nike McClure and Tiana Parker. If Lake Washington could tread water in the rebounding department and knock down shots consistently, they would be able to challenge W.F. West in this contest.

The Bearcats owned the first quarter on both sides of the ball. Scoring was dispersed among five players in the first eight minutes. Meanwhile, the Kangs stumbled out of the gate by going field goal-less in the first frame. Four free throws by Sydney Shepard culminated all of LW’s offense as they trailed 15-4 after quarter one. Kang head coach Corey Shepard was able to rally the troops after the slow start by outscoring the opposition in the second quarter. Carly Rataushk was strong on the boards for Lake Washington setting up scoring opportunities for her offense. A quarter filled with changes in possession led to a slim 9-7 scoring total in favor of the Kangs. At the half, W.F. West was ahead 22-13.

Playing catch up in the final sixteen minutes meant LWHS would have to push the tempo and finish at the hoop. Rataushk stayed tough among the tall trees on the Bearcat roster by netting seven points in the third quarter. Unfortunately, secondary scoring options were relatively absent for the Kangs. W.F. West protected their lead throughout the third and entered the final eight with their nine point lead. Lake Washington’s fifteen points in the fourth could have been enough to close the gap, but failure to get defensive stops hindered their ability to challenge the Bearcats. W.F. West also registered fifteen in the quarter to pick up the 47-38 victory.

Top Performer:
Lake Washington
Carly Rataushk – 13 points (3/5 FT’s)

Cleveland Rings in New Year With Win Over Lynnwood

Posted on January 3, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Wednesday	Jan 1st	2013	3A-4A	Girls	Basketball
Cleveland High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Lynnwood	11	16	19	13	59
Cleveland	14	3	11	21	49

See game recap below

Cleveland Rings in New Year With Win Over Lynnwood
By Steven Dion

The first day of 2014 granted high school hoops fans a great New Year’s gift in the form of a matchup between undefeated Lynnwood and defending 3A champions Cleveland. It was evident that this game was the place to be in Seattle on Wednesday night because the Eagles gymnasium was packed. The line to enter extended outside the school and did not shrink until the second quarter. The stage was set for a showdown between two of the top girls basketball programs in the state.

Lynnwood jumped out to an early lead by knocking down shots from the paint. The Royals were able to move the ball well in the half-court offense and set up high percentage scoring opportunities. The host Eagles were able to keep pace and trailed LHS by three after one quarter. The second quarter completely changed the complexion of the game. The Royals shots stopped falling and Cleveland’s pesky defense translated to points on the other end of the floor. Alexia Mefi’s blocks brought the capacity crowd to its feet. The Eagles outscored the Royals 16-3 in the second quarter and led 27-17 at the break.

CHS picked up where they left off in the third quarter as senior Makayla Roper drained four field goals in the frame. The deficit increased as the fourth quarter commenced with a 46 to 28 lead in favor of Stephenie Wheeler-Smith’s squad. The contest garnered some interest in the fourth as Lynnwood was able to extend the ball game and get to the free throw line. The Royals were able to cut the Eagles lead to eight points late, but Cleveland held on to pick up a 59-49 victory.

Top Performer:
Cleveland
Makayla Roper – 17 points (2/3 FT’s, 3 3 pt FG’s)

Auburn-Mountainview Unwraps Late Christmas Present with Win Over Lindbergh

Posted on January 3, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Thursday	Dec 26th	2013	3A-2A	Boys	Basketball
Kennedy High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Auburn Mountainview	16	15	22	18	71
Lindbergh	15	18	19	15	67

See game recap below

Auburn-Mountainview Unwraps Late Christmas Present with Win Over Lindbergh
By Steven Dion

Game two of the opening round in the Christmas Classic featured Lindbergh from the Seamount League and Auburn-Mountainview of the South Puget Sound League. This matchup pitted a guard-heavy Lindbergh squad against an Auburn-Mountainview team with a prominent post presence. The team that adjusted to their dissimilar counterpart would prevail in the contest.

The contest opened with both teams trading buckets. A-M Lions’ guard Ryan Lacey buried a pair of triples in the first frame as part of his 15 total points in the game. Lindbergh’s Vincent Carter played like the NBA legend that bears the same name by scoring from the field, perimeter, and free throw stripe. The Eagle guard scored a team-high 20 in the contest. The rebounding battle was won by the Lions in the first half. However, Lindbergh took a 33-31 lead into the locker room.

Most of the third quarter was spent at the free throw line as twenty attempts were taken in the frame. Lindbergh was unable to get their star guard Marcel Hale rolling in the second half, but credit the Auburn-Mountainview defense for limiting Hale’s output. Lions senior Wyatt Walstad netted six of his game-high 21 points in the third. His effort on the defensive end of the floor paid off on the stat sheet in this contest. However, Lindbergh hung tough and only trailed by one point going into the final frame. Buckets were traded in the fourth, but AMHS’s ability to snag some late rebounds primarily through Tristan Miguel’s 6’9” frame put the Lions in position to protect their small lead. A late full-court press by the Eagles resulted in an outlet pass to Victor Daggs Jr. to put the game away. Auburn-Mountainview picked up the 71-67 win.

Top Performer:
Auburn Mountainview
Wyatt Walstad – 21 points (9/12 FT’s)

Enumclaw Narrowly Slips Past Resilient Cascade Christian

Posted on January 3, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Saturday	Dec 21st	2013	2A	Girls	Basketball
ShoWare Center	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Mark Morris	21	19	21	14	75
White River	14	8	19	12	53

See game recap below

Enumclaw Narrowly Slips Past Resilient Cascade Christian
By Steven Dion

Top Performer:
Enumclaw
Zac Webb – 20 pts (4/5 FT’s)

Lynden Lions Follow Lynden Christian Win With a Victory of Their Own

Posted on December 28, 2013 by colincarusoZUMA

Saturday	Dec 21st	2013	2A	Boys	Basketball
ShoWare Center	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Lynden	10	4	17	12	43
Sumner	5	13	7	15	40

See game recap below

Lynden Lions Follow Lynden Christian Win With a Victory of Their Own
By Steven Dion

The northerly town of Lynden had two teams represented at the ShoWare Shootout on Saturday in Kent. After Lynden Christian defeated Cedar Park Christian, it was the Lions’ turn to keep the Lynden train rolling. Their recent playoff run in football leading to another state championship has certainly affected the quick transition to basketball, a team composed of many football players. Brett McDaniel and his Sumner team were eager to spoil the two hour trip north for their opponent Saturday afternoon.

Consistency was an issue for both squads in this game as momentum swings were abundant. Sumner was only able to put up five points in the first eight minutes. Fortunately for the Spartans, Lynden was only able to notch ten of their own. The tides turned in the next eight as Sumner’s full court press forced turnovers in the Lynden side of the floor. The absence of an undersized, ball-handling specialist on the big Lions roster was a weakness Sumner picked apart. A four-point second quarter by Lynden led to a lead change and a 18-14 Spartan lead at the break.

The third quarter proved to be a pivotal turning point in the game as Sumner was unable to protect their lead, conceding seventeen points to their opposition while only scoring seven. Sumner was going to need to stage a comeback in the final quarter to pull out a victory. The Spartans high energy offense provided ample opportunities to knock down shots. However, shots were challenged by the likes of Scooter Hastings and Jaremy Martin. Even though Sumner won the fourth quarter, they were unable to win the ballgame as 5 and 7 point first and third quarters dug a hole for the Spartans they could not dig themselves out of. At the final buzzer, Lynden won 43-40.

Top Performers:
Lynden
Sterling Somers – 16 points (6/15 FG’s, 4/8 3pt), 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals

Lynden Christian and Cedar Park Christian Come Down to the Wire

Posted on December 28, 2013 by colincarusoZUMA

Saturday	Dec 21st	2013	1A	Boys	Basketball
ShoWare Center	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Lynden Christian	12	12	16	19	59
Cedar Park Christian	7	19	13	15	54

See game recap below

Lynden Christian and Cedar Park Christian Come Down to the Wire
By Steven Dion

The 2PM game of Saturday’s ShoWare Shootout featured a pair of 1A schools: Lynden Christian from the Northwest League and Cedar Park Christian from the Nisqually League. Cedar Park dressed a handful of players that did not enter the game. Only seven Eagles players logged minutes in the contest, so CPC starters were relied on for long minutes in this game. The Lyncs had the luxury of a much deeper bench and a more prominent post presence in Logan Carlson. However, none of these factors would prevent this contest from being decided in the final minute.

Lynden Christian took control of the game early by building a double digit lead early into the second quarter. They were able to take advantage of second chances by turning them into points. This hustle yielded thirteen more shot attempts throughout the contest. Cedar Park responded to the early deficit by closing the second half strong. The Eagles buried six triples in the half. Shockingly, Cedar Park had a high shooting percentage from the perimeter than the field. By halftime, the Eagles not only erased the deficit, but took the lead 26-24.

The third quarter remained close as a handful of the ten lead changes took place in the frame. Only four Eagles players scored in the game, so the pressure was on Trey Drechsel and the other limited scoring options to match the Lyncs output. Cedar Park either led or trailed by one possession in the final minutes and put themselves in a good position to win by shooting lights out from the free throw line and maintaining efficient three-point shooting. However, late turnovers led to Lynden Christian points and opened the window for the Lyncs to finally put the game away. At the final buzzer, Lynden Christian was victorious 59-54.

Top Performers:
Cedar Park Christian
Trey Drechsel – 25 points (7/15 FG’s, 6/6 FT’s), 15 rebounds

Lady Monarchs Sting Hornets in ShoWare Shootout

Posted on December 28, 2013 by colincarusoZUMA

Saturday	Dec 21st	2013	2A	Girls	Basketball
ShoWare Center	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Mark Morris	21	19	21	14	75
White River	14	8	19	12	53

See game recap below

Lady Monarchs Sting Hornets in ShoWare Shootout
By Steven Dion

Steve Rooklidge and his Mark Morris squad had plans to make their two hour trek north to Kent from Longview worthwhile at the ShoWare Shootout against White River from the SPSL. The Monarchs wasted no time finding their groove as their pesky defense caused numerous turnovers leading to transition buckets. The ball movement by Mark Morris was phenomenal throughout the entire contest; making the extra pass, finding the open shooter. After one frame, Mark Morris built a seven point lead. White River certainly knew their size disadvantage going into this game would create matchup problems throughout and they would have to find other ways to battle the Monarchs. Unfortunately, Mark Morris’ sizzling shooting continued through the rest of the first half. Going into the break, the Hornets trailed by eighteen points.

MMHS picked up where they left off in the second half as their jump-shots continued to fall and the stops on the defensive end led to high percentage shot in the frontcourt. Coach Rooklidge said he was pleased and even surprised how well his team was able to execute on both sides of the floor. Their ability to handle a talented White River team the way they did is a testament to an experienced Greater St. Helens League frontrunner. Both teams were able to finish with four players in double-digit scoring. However, the Eaton duo of Mark Morris both registered double-doubles as Kourtney knocked down 16 points and 11 assists while Karley scored 21 and grabbed 11 rebounds. Final score 75-53 in favor of the Monarchs.

Top Performers:
Mark Morris
Karley Eaton – 21 points (9/17 FG’s 2/2 FT’s), 11 rebounds, 5 assists

Wilson Dominates First Half but Squeaks by Bellarmine

Posted on December 27, 2013 by colincarusoZUMA

Saturday	Dec 21st	2013	3A-4A	Boys	Basketball
ShoWare Center	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Bellarmine Prep	4	10	19	6	39
Wilson	10	23	5	13	51

See game recap below

Wilson Dominates First Half but Squeaks by Bellarmine
By Colin Caruso

In the second to last game at the Muscle Milk pre-season tournament in Kent, the Bellarmine Prep Lions took on the Wilson Rams in another non-conference matchup. Bellarmine jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, converting on two easy layups, but were unable to score for the remainder of the first quarter. Wilson closed the quarter on a 10-0 run that continued into the second.

That run extended to a 20-0 run with five minutes left in the second, on the back of a solid diamond press that Bellarmine could not break, leading to easy Wilson transition layups. Seven Rams were able to score in the first half, compared to just four Lions. The Rams took a commanding 33-14 lead into the half.

Bellarmine received a good talking to from Coach Salazar at the break and turned their offense on to start the third quarter. An 18-1 run for the Lions cut the Wilson lead just two with one minute remaining in the frame. Bellarmine won the quarter 19-5 and only trailed by five entering the fourth.

The Lions’ leading scorer Mar’kese Jackson fouled out with 4:30 remaining in the fourth, really stifling the colossal comeback effort for Bellarmine. The five point margin would be the closest the Lions would come, as Wilson began to battle on the interior and taking advantage of their bonus free-throws. Wilson closed with a strong third quarter and finished with a 51-39 win.

Top Performers:
Bellarmine Prep
Mar’kese Jackson – 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
Drew Griffin – 9 points, 9 rebounds

Wilson
Alphonso Anderson – 11 points, 14 rebounds

Stanwood Proves too much for Jefferson

Posted on December 27, 2013 by colincarusoZUMA

Saturday	Dec 21st	2013	3A-4A	Boys	Basketball
ShoWare Center	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Stanwood	13	16	19	11	59
Jefferson	6	16	11	12	46

See game recap below

Stanwood Proves too much for Jefferson
By Colin Caruso

In the fourth game on the day at the ShoWare Center in Kent, in a non-league matchup, the Jefferson Raiders took on the Stanwood Spartans for bragging rights. Jefferson had a tough time finding the hoop in the first quarter, falling behind 13-7 after one. They were down as many as nine in the first half twice, but continued to battle back on spread out scoring from their starters. The Raiders cut the lead to just six at the half, despite shooting below 50% from the line and allowing two more made three pointers.

The Spartans came out of the locker room early, getting a few shots up prior to starting the second half. Jefferson came out after the halftime horn blew, giving them no shots and no touches on the ball during the half. This seemed to favor Stanwood, as they put together another strong quarter, exploiting the Jefferson 2-3 zone and converting on easy layups. Stanwood led 48-34 going into the fourth.

With a comfortable lead entering the fourth, the Spartans were able to slow the game down for the final eight minutes. Four Spartans scored in double figures, led by Josh Thayer with 17 and Drew Stang with 15. Only one Raider ended up in double figures, Xavier Scott, who scored all 12 of his points in the second half. Stanwood took the non-league contest 59-46.

Top Performers:
Stanwood
Skout Roberson – 14 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals
Josh Thayer – 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals

Jefferson
Xavier Scott – 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
Cordae Mcafee – 8 points, 8 rebounds

Seahawks Soar Over Hornets in SPSL Showdown

Posted on December 27, 2013 by colincarusoZUMA

Saturday	Dec 21st	2013	3A-2A	Boys	Basketball
ShoWare Center	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Peninsula	8	17	13	17	55
White River	6	18	13	11	48

See game recap below

Seahawks Soar Over Hornets in SPSL Showdown
By Steven Dion

The first boys matchup of the ShoWare Shootout featured two South Puget Sound League squads in White River and Peninsula. The Seahawks donned the letters DWWD on the backs of their jersey which according to coach Jack Jackson represents their commitment to “Do What We Do”. This motto carried Peninsula to a 4-2 record heading into their matchup Saturday which was their win total a year ago. However, the Hornets were anxious to go toe-to-toe with their opponent from a high classification to finish strong going in the holiday break.

Nerves appeared to affect both squads early as scoring was minimal and players were reluctant to shoot and create scoring opportunities. After the first frame the Hawks led 8-6. The energy picked up in the second quarter as the McLaughlin brothers JaQuori and O’Shea of Peninsula began to carry the bulk of the Hawks offensive output. The pair scored a combined 33 points on the contest including 10 of 12 from the charity stripe. Despite being undersized the Hornets were aggressive on the boards including 10 from senior guard Brandon Dove. Going into the break, both teams shot 42% from the field and PHS carried the slimmest of leads at 25-24.

This league showdown remained tight for the majority of the contest as one or two possessions separated the teams. In total, there were seven ties and sixteen lead changes throughout the game. Coincidentally, both teams notched 13 apiece in the third so the one-point Peninsula lead carried into the final period of play. The Hornets prolific offensive effort yielded an impressive 34 shots in the second half to PHS’s 18, but only 8 fell through. Meanwhile JaQuori Parker converted on some critical buckets down the stretch in addition to his flawless shooting from the charity stripe. The Hawks built their biggest lead of nine points in the fourth and didn’t look back. When the dust settled, the Hawks picked up a 55-48 victory. They are now 5-2 on the campaign.

Top Performers:
Peninsula
JaQuori McLaughlin – 25 points (7/16 FG’s, 8/8 FT’s), 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals

Timberwolves Claw Their Way to Victory in Win Over Auburn-Mountainview

Posted on December 23, 2013 by colincarusoZUMA

Saturday	Dec 21st	2013	4A	Girls	Basketball
ShoWare Center	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Jackson	13	14	12	20	59
Auburn Mountainview	16	8	18	11	53

See game recap below

Timberwolves Claw Their Way to Victory in Win Over Auburn-Mountainview
By Steven Dion

In the opening round of the ShoWare Shootout, Wesco met SPSL in a matchup between Jackson and Auburn-Mountainview. The Timberwolves’ dynamic guard combo of Faithaleen Lopez-Flores and Sierra Anderson accounted for the bulk of Jackson scoring. In addition to their 17 and 25 points respectively, they logged all thirty-two minutes of play. AMHS grabbed a first quarter lead, but an eight point second quarter found them trailing 24-27 at the half.

The Lions dominated several key statistical categories that are general indicators of victory including second-chance points and bench scoring, but low field-goal percentage on the game (30%) plagued Auburn-Mountaiview’s ability to sustain scoring momentum. With the game in the balance, Jackson’s reliable senior Anderson stepped up and knocked down clutch buckets and converted at the charity stripe with a perfect eight for eight. For this Timberwolves squad to be a front-runner in the 4A Wesco league, they will need to incorporate more scoring options, especially their forwards. Auburn-Mountain is almost entirely composed of seniors, so it is imperative for the Lions to play with urgency to make a run come February.

Top Performers:
Jackson
Sierra Anderson – 25 points (8/14 FGs, 8/8 FT’s), 4 assists, 3 steals

Bainbridge Girls Pick Up Road Win Against Quakers

Posted on December 23, 2013 by colincarusoZUMA

Friday	Dec 20th	2013	3A	Girls	Basketball
Franklin High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Bainbridge	18	7	14	14	53
Franklin	5	7	5	14	31

See game recap below

Bainbridge Girls Pick Up Road Win Against Quakers
By Steven Dion

The phrase “Games Are Won In the Fourth Quarter” apply to many basketball games, but when a team jumps out of the gate firing on all cylinders, the result can be decided much sooner. The Bainbridge Lady Spartans’ balanced attack and opportunistic defense gave Franklin everything it could handle Friday night in downtown Seattle. Bainbridge’s 18-5 lead after one quarter of play was facilitated by a pair of triples by freshman sharpshooter Taylor Tye and second-chance scoring opportunities by Katie Usellis’ relentless rebounding. Holding Franklin to twelve points in the first half is a testament to Spartan head coach Nicole Hebner’s ability to utilize her deep bench and maintain fresh legs on the floor.

The second half featured more of what was seen in the first sixteen minutes of play as the Quakers were unable to get into a shooting groove and also allowed transition buckets by the opponent. However, Franklin showed resilience by putting together a respectable fourth quarter by matching Bainbridge with 14 points. FHS sophomore Tamia Spellman buried a three and knocked down a pair of free throws in the frame. When the horn sounded, Bainbridge Island sailed off with a 53-31 victory. Three BIHS players finished with a dozen points: Paige Brigham, Katie Usellis, and Taylor Tye.

Top Performers:
Bainbridge
Paige Brigham – 12 points (4/9 FG’s 3/5 FT’s)

Garfield Wins the Presidential Matchup over Roosevelt

Posted on December 22, 2013 by colincarusoZUMA

Friday	Dec 20th	2013	4A	Boys	Basketball
Roosevelt High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Garfield	14	21	26	16	77
Roosevelt	18	5	10	23	56

See game recap below

Garfield Wins the Presidential Matchup over Roosevelt
By Colin Caruso

In a primetime Friday night matchup, the Roosevelt Roughriders hosted the favored Garfield Bulldogs in a regular season league game. The Bulldogs came into this contest as one of the favorites to lift the trophy for 4A hoops in the 2013-14 season. Coach Haskins for the Bulldogs knew the strength of his team and elected to start four non-starters, including one freshman and two sophomores. This allowed the Roughriders to win the first quarter 18-14.

Once Haskins brought all his typical starters in, the tide began to turn for the Riders. A smothering defensive press by the Bulldogs led to a 21-5 quarter, fueled mostly by seniors Torrence Baker and Lakeside senior transfer Tramaine Isabell. Garfield led 35-23 at the half.

With Garfield’s press in full effect in the second quarter and the typical starters still in, the Bulldogs were able to control the third quarter of play as well, dominating the glass and getting easy transition baskets.

The final quarter favored the Roughriders, as Garfield brought in their younger players to get some quality league minutes. Roosevelt won the final quarter 23-16, but this game was won by Garfield in the second and third quarters. Garfield won the contest 77-56.

Top Performers:
Garfield
Tramaine Isabell – 22 points

Roosevelt
Cam Haslam – 29 points

Franklin Survives Late Bainbridge Surge

Posted on December 22, 2013 by colincarusoZUMA

Friday	Dec 20th	2013	3A	Boys	Basketball
Franklin High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Bainbridge	9	19	10	24	63
Franklin	19	6	17	24	66

See game recap below

Franklin Survives Late Bainbridge Surge
By Steven Dion

Heading into Holiday break, teams are anxious to finish off on a high note before the short time off. The Franklin Quakers and Spartans from Bainbridge Island proved this to be true on their back-and-forth showdown Friday night in Seattle. Both teams had trouble scoring early, but Franklin was able to finish the first quarter strong with a Emanuel Siale providing the hot hand. The Spartans were prepared to give the Quakers a taste of their own medicine by matching their nineteen points in the second quarter through intense perimeter defense. BIHS distributed the ball well by registering five scorers in the frame. At half, Bainbridge led 28-25.

Quaker sophomore Keith Smith was determined to regain the lead in the third quarter by scoring 15 of his team’s 17 points. He made six of eight field goal attempts in the frame and put Franklin back in the driver’s seat. But Bainbridge was not ready to hop on the ferry quite yet. One of the Spartans eight juniors Blake Swanson began burying open looks down the stretch to keep the contest tight. The guard notched 11 in the quarter. However, Smith was able to knock down free throws after intentional fouls and in doing so, sealed the victory for the home team. The final score was Franklin 66 Bainbridge 63.

Top Performers:
Franklin
Keith Smith 32 points (8/15 FG’s, 15/19 FT’s)

In a Battle of Two Undefeated Teams, Bishop Blanchet Prevails

Posted on December 21, 2013 by colincarusoZUMA

Wednesday	Dec 18th	2013	3A	Girls	Basketball
Bishop Blanchet High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Holy Names Academy	10	0	9	8	27
Bishop Blanchet	11	6	6	11	34

See game recap below

In a Battle of Two Undefeated Teams, Bishop Blanchet Prevails
By Steven Dion

In a potential preview of a late-February contest, Bishop Blanchet squared off against another undefeated Metro League squad in Holy Names on Tuesday Night. From the opening tip, there was a tangible energy in the game that led to an exciting finish that was not sealed until late in the fourth quarter. At the end of the thirty-two minutes, only one unbeaten team would remain.

Both teams were willing to run a fast-paced first quarter where most of the points came in transition and there were several turnovers forced by each squad. Blanchet freshman Jaydn Bush was playing like a senior as she collected rebound after rebound. Her ability to give her team second-chances was an integral part in BBHS’s success. After holding Holy Names scoreless in the second quarter, the Braves led 17-10 at halftime.

It was apparent that Holy Names head coach Rhonda Smith made adjustments in the locker room as the Cougars went on a third quarter run that brought her team back within reach. Camariah King accounted for 13 total points, including four three-pointers. The Cougs were unable to convert on a few critical possessions down the stretch and an old fashioned three point play by Bush late sealed the victory for Bishop Blanchet. The final score was 34-27 in favor of the home team.

Top Performers:
Bishop Blanchet
Jadyn Bush – 11 points