Kentwood clinches state berth over Bellarmine; Peninsula girls heading to state for the first time since 1989
BOYS BASKETBALL
Top Performer: Jaden McDaniels, Federal Way
Scored 28 points and had 12 rebounds in 82-62 win over Union
4A WEST CENTRAL/SOUTHWEST
Third round consolation (loser-out)
Kentwood 59, Bellarmine Prep 48: Quick offensive strikes from Anjaylo Lloyd and strong support from Alphonse Oywak and Jahvonta Jones Jr. helped the Conquerors make their fourth straight state appearance.
Lloyd was the driving offensive force for the Conquerors, jumping on the Lions early as he dropped 13 in the first quarter.
“We jumped on them early, we really defended, we rotated really well, and we didn't let their shooters get any good looks,” said Kentwood coach Blake Solomon. “Lloyd really sparked us early, as he really got us going.”
Lloyd led all scorers, finishing with 19 points.
However, the toughest test for the defending state champs would be how to stop the Lions’ Charles Elzie and Wendell Davis. And despite giving up 16 points to both players, the Conquerors held them each in check.
“Davis and Elzie are good, we tried to trap them but we felt that they had to work for their points,” Solomon said. “Oywak has been in a good rhythm and he attacked the rim; Jones made 3's and went behind the defense to get lay-ins.”
Oywak and Jones were a couple of supporting players that both scored nine on the night, but played pivotal roles in getting points where they could and helping their team win.
“It’s really special to get back to state, this is our fourth straight appearance but first with this group,” Solomon said. “We have two more weeks to extend this and keep playing.”
The Conquerors advance to take on Skyview at 6 p.m., Friday at Mount Tahoma High School.
The Lions have one more shot to make state as they will play for the final seed for the regional round of the state tournament against Olympia at 7:45 p.m., Friday at Mount Tahoma high School.
2A WEST CENTRAL
First round consolation (loser out)
Clover Park 51, Steilacoom 33: Another Warriors’ win, another outstanding game from Anthony Grassi and Davien Harris-Williams.
The two Warriors combined for 35 points, with Grassi earning 19 and Harris-Williams 16. Together, they outscored the entirety of the Sentinels.
But that goes to show how strong the Warriors are on defense as well as offense, containing the Sentinels’ leading scorer, Torrey Cady, to seven points.
The win pushes the Warriors into the next round of the consolation bracket where they will take on Port Angeles at 6 p.m, Friday at Bellarmine Prep High School.
Franklin Pierce 70, Highline 68: The Cardinals secured a narrow win over the Pirates setting them up for a game next against Olympic on Friday at 7:45 p.m. while Highline’s season comes to an end.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Top Performer: Belle Frazier, Peninsula
Scored 23 points in 54-47 win over Timberline
3A WEST CENTRAL/SOUTHWEST
Consolation second round (loser out)
Peninsula 54, Timberline 47: Belle Frazier scored 23 points as the Seahawks survived and held onto a win over the Blazers.
And Peninsula clinched a state-tournament berth in the process – their first appearance since the 1988-89 season. They’ll play Kelso at 6 p.m. Friday at Rogers in what will only amount to an RPI game.
“They just held the composure well,” Peninsula coach Michael Schick said.
Peninsula led 23-14 going into the half but things got much closer in the third when Timberline burst out of the break with 26 points in the third quarter. That gave the Blazers a 40-38 lead entering the fourth quarter.
“Honestly, they got a little rattled there,” Schick said. “They came out with a diamond press and we didn’t handle it well.”
Timberline’s season ended in the loss. Kiara Brooks scored 15 points and Keshara Romain had 12.
Kelso 60, Yelm 42: The Hilanders ended the Tornados’ meaning they will now play Peninsula at 6 p.m. Friday.
2A WEST CENTRAL
District semifinals
No. 5 White River 66, Fife 47: The Hornets got off to a hot start and never looked back against the Trojans as Kara Marecle scored a game-high 20 points.
White River jumped out to a 37-21 lead at the half. Helping out Marecle was Sofia and Georgia Lavinder, as they combined for 22 points, as well.
Breanna Hernandez was the leading scorer for the Trojans with 14 points, and Christian Willis and Kaylin Fietz both scored nine.
The win puts White River in the 2A West Central District tournament championship where they will take on No. 4 Port Angeles at 4 p.m., Saturday at Wilson High School.
Fife will play for third place against North Kitsap at 5:30 p.m., Saturday at Washington High School.
1A WEST CENTRAL
Port Townsend 58, Cascade Christian 54: The Redhawks narrowly won over the Cougars in an overtime victory that means they will now play for the District Championship against Seattle Christian on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
Cascade Christian will play a loser-out game on Saturday at 3:45 p.m.
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This story was originally published February 15, 2018 at 10:25 AM with the headline "Kentwood clinches state berth over Bellarmine; Peninsula girls heading to state for the first time since 1989."