With a Punishing First Quarter, Issaquah Takes Down Roosevelt

With a Punishing First Quarter, Issaquah Takes Down Roosevelt
By Colin Caruso

To the winner go the spoils in this contest; the 4A KingCo League semifinal matchup between Issaquah and Roosevelt. With a trip to state on the line for the winner, and a horrible draw to reach state for the loser, both teams were fighting tooth and nail for this precious victory.

Issaquah started the contest pretty much as well as they possibly could have. A punishing 17-3 lockdown in the first quarter, sparked by great defense and unfortunate finishing by the Rough Riders gave Issaquah a huge momentum boost. The Eagles biggest lead of the game came after another basket to start the second, leading 20-3 and poised for a blowout.

But Roosevelt would not back down. They continued to claw back on the shoulders of Nathan Batisti’s 21 points and Cam Haslam’s 16. They closed the gap to just nine entering the fourth quarter, and got as close as six three separate times in the fourth. But the Eagles always answered and it came from an unfamiliar source.

Sophomore Trevon Ary-Turner’s previous career high was 16 points against these Roughriders earlier in the season, which concluded in a 12 point win. This time he blew up, scorching Roosevelt from three and putting in an amazing 32 points and leading his Eagles to victory. Issaquah was also unconscious from the free-throw line, making all but one in the fourth quarter to seal their trip to state with a 78-68 victory.

Roosevelt will now have to win three straight to secure a spot in the state tournament.

Top Performers:
Roosevelt
Nathan Batisti – 21 points

Issaquah
Trevon Ary-Turner – 32 points
Tyler Gibson – 17 points