SPSL 4A Boys | Tibbs delivers in overtime

FEDERAL WAY — Marcus Tibbs' shot wasn't falling.

That didn't matter to Decatur High School boys basketball coach Kevin Olson. He always puts the ball in Tibbs' hands with the game on the line.

Tibbs, a 6-foot-1 senior guard, rewarded his coach and furthered his lore as clutch shooter in crunch time by scoring 10 of his 23 points in overtime as third-ranked Decatur outlasted No. 6 Kentwood 82-77 Tuesday night in a South Puget Sound League North Division game.

"I had to go to the hole more, because I've been off all week with my shot," said Tibbs, who dazzled the crowd, which included Washington coach Lorenzo Romar, in OT with an array of pullup jumpers. "I like being in close games. It's almost easier for me. It's all about getting the 'W' and that pushes me.

"It's like when I was a kid and counting down 4-3-2-1 for the last shot. It's just fun."

Decatur (6-0 overall, 3-0 league) responded after Kentwood guard Matt Eronemo scored on a putback with 2.5 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 67-67 and force overtime. Flying down the right side of the lane, Eronemo followed in Tre Tyler's three-point miss.

Then, Tibbs took over as the Gators outscored the Conquerors (3-2, 2-1) 15-10 in the extra session. Tibbs, who added five assists, fired in Decatur's first seven points in OT as they took a 76-71 lead.

"He struggled with his shot early in the game, but with the game on the line, he's the guy," Olson said of Tibbs, who scored 16 points in the second half. "We know what he can do. He's a clutch player."

Deverea Jacobs scored on rebound basket with 18 seconds left in OT to leave Kentwood trailing 78-77, but Tibbs hit 3 of 4 free throws in the next seven seconds and freshman Jerron Smith iced it with the second of two foul shots with 2.9 seconds left.

Josh Smith, a 6-9 sophomore, led Kentwood with 25 points, but had just three in overtime. Tyler chipped in 21 points for the Conks.

Michael Hale, Tibbs' 5-7 backcourt mate, chimed in with 21 points, five assists and five steals. Darious Walker supplied 16 points and Smith added 13 and seven rebounds for the Gators.

Kentwood trailed by 10 in the first half, 30-20, before charging back with 6-0 run to open the second half on the way to a 35-34 lead.