Garfield Dominates 4A KingCo Final

Garfield Dominates 4A KingCo Final
By Colin Caruso

In what was supposed to be a close battle between the Issaquah Eagles and the Garfield Bulldogs, one team proved their dominance. The packed house at Juanita High School to see the 4A KingCo final knew the Bulldogs would bring intensity and pace to the contest. The only team to defeat them all year, the Issaquah Eagles would have to match that intensity to keep this one close. Garfield ensured that their will was the way, and punished the Eagles early and often.

Garfield jumped out to an early 9-2 run, which eventually turned into a 14-4 run and an 18-6 first quarter. Issaquah was on their heels for the duration of the quarter, reacting to the speed of the Bulldogs as opposed to being the aggressor on both sides of the floor. The second quarter wasn’t much better, as the Bulldogs increased their lead to 14 points entering the second half.

The Bulldogs relentless pursuit of offensive rebounds was the difference maker throughout this contest. Repeatedly Garfield would have two to three bodies in the paint on every attempted jumper, and Issaquah’s zone was not conducive to boxing out. Garfield extended their lead again at the end of the third, 58-35.

By this point the game was completely in hand, but kudos to the Eagles for putting up 30 points in the final quarter. When the dust settled, the Bulldogs took home the KingCo title, and the #1 seed from the district into state. Issaquah is also guaranteed a state berth.

Top Performers:
Issaquah
Trevon Ary-Turner – 19 points

Garfield
Tramaine Isabell – 24 points
Brayon Blake – 20 points