Boys consolation games: Snohomish aims again for fourth

TACOMA — What is this for Snohomish? The movie "Ground Hog Day" or the Class 4A state basketball tournament?

For the second straight year, Snohomish will play for fourth place.

Last year, the Panthers lost by one point to Garfield, 71-70, and finished seventh. Today at 1:30 p.m., Snohomish (22-3) will play Central Valley of suburban Spokane (21-7).

The Panthers yesterday eliminated two-time defending champion Lincoln of Tacoma 68-47 by jumping to an early lead and outhustling the Abes.

"They obviously wanted it a little bit more," said Lincoln Coach Tim Kelly. "They got to all the loose balls. For any loose ball on the floor, there were white shirts (Snohomish) all over it."

Snohomish also shot a lot better — 45 percent to Lincoln's 28 percent (15 for 53).

Snohomish had edged Lincoln 64-62 in a nonleague game in January, when the Abes had an inside presence in 6-foot-9 Maurice Shaw, who later quit the team after being disciplined.

Junior Paul Brockman led Snohomish yesterday with 17 points and collected 10 rebounds. His "little" brother, 6-7 sophomore Jon, had 13 points and senior Eric Mock scored 15 points with a dozen rebounds.

"We overpowered them down low," Mock said.

Ben Shelton, the only returning starter for Lincoln, led the Abes with 17 points.

South Kitsap 46, Bethel 36

South Kitsap and Bethel played sluggishly for 2½ quarters, and only the Wolves from Port Orchard were able to awake from their malaise.

It was the second consecutive season the Wolves ended the Braves' season in a state-tournament consolation game.

Adam Bennett scored 20 points for the Wolves (25-3), who will play for fifth and eighth against Walla Walla at 11:30 a.m. today.

South Kitsap's defense limited Bethel to 29 percent shooting (15 of 51) and contributed to the Braves' 20 turnovers. Sophomore guard Jamil Turner was the only player for the Braves (22-6) in double figures with 11 points.

Walla Walla 59, Federal Way 54

Live by the three, die by the three.

The Federal Way Eagles' season came to an end in a flurry of three-point baskets by Walla Walla, as the Blue Devils came back from a 15-point deficit.

The day before, Federal Way stayed alive in the consolation bracket with a last-second three-pointer by Andre Piper-Jordan to beat Eastlake 64-63.

Walla Walla (20-9) rallied against Federal Way with five three-point baskets in the third quarter. The Blue Devils, who had trailed 34-19, were down only 43-38 to start the fourth quarter.

A basket by Casey Waddell put Walla Walla ahead for good, 46-44, midway through the fourth quarter.

"You've got to give them credit," said Federal Way Coach Jerome Collins. "We knew they were a good-shooting team. We just lost intensity. It's human nature; you get a big lead, and then you lose it. They came down, hit baskets and got the lead."

Waddell, a 6-4 senior forward, led the Blue Devils with 17 points and seven rebounds. Walla Walla sank 8 of 20 three-point attempts.

Nate Sanchez led the Eagles (18-11) with 15 points and seven rebounds, and Myron Hennings scored 14.

Central Valley 66, Pasco 58

Derek Taylor scored 19 points and had eight rebounds and the Bears outscored the Bulldogs 27-4 at the free-throw line to send Pasco home.

Justin Bright added 15 points for Central Valley (21-7) of Veradale, near Spokane. C.J. Nagel had 11 points and Ryan Heacock scored 10 for the Bears.

Kris Groce led Pasco (21-7) with 14 points.