Boys Games | Kentwood uses Dept. of Interior

A basketball detective would have called it an "inside job."

Kentwood's 6-foot-10 Josh Smith, scored 29 points on 14-of-15 shooting and 6-7 Jeremy Green scored 27 as the Conquerors beat Bellarmine Prep of Tacoma 80-75 Monday in the King Holiday Hoopfest at Edmundson Pavilion.

Bellarmine boys basketball coach Bernie Salazar wasn't surprised that Smith missed only one shot.

"When you're that tall and you're shooting that close ... " Salazar said. "He's a good player and has really good hands and really good touch around the basket. When he gets in good position, it's usually two points."

The game, named the Jim Reding Classic after the late Seattle Times prep-coverage coordinator, featured Kentwood's interior strength against the state's highest-scoring backcourt. Bellarmine junior Avery Bradley scored 30 points and his classmate, Arizona recruit Abdul Gaddy, scored 26. The twosome combined for 78 points in a win over Gig Harbor last week.

Bellarmine Prep (14-2) is ranked No. 4 in the state in Class 4A. Kentwood (13-3) is No. 6.

Kentwood's game plan was summarized in one word, repeated three times, by the 280-pound Smith: "Inside, inside, inside."

Smith, a sophomore who is on the national recruiting radar, collected five offensive rebounds and six overall.

The Conquerors shot an impressive 68.6 percent (35 of 51) and were 9 of 9 from the field in the third quarter.

Kentwood coach Mike Angelidis called Green, a senior who is being recruited by in-state Division II schools, "the difference" on his team this season. He also praised the work of his guards in distributing the ball and contending with Bellarmine's speed.

Bellarmine never led and got off to a miserable start, trailing 16-2, but closed to 40-35 by halftime. Bradley could have put Bellarmine ahead with 8 seconds left in the third quarter but missed a breakaway dunk. Kentwood went downcourt and Tre Taylor hit a three-point basket for a 58-54 lead.

Bellarmine cut the lead to 66-65 with 4:18 to play on a layup by Bradley, but Kentwood then went on an 8-2 run that featured two layups by Green, a basket by Smith, and a dunk by Green.

Other games

Bothell 65, Gig Harbor 57

Johnny Hekker got hot at the right time as the Cougars (9-5) pulled away. They led only 55-51 with 3 ½ minutes remaining, but Hekker scored eight of his team-high 18 points down the stretch. He threw down two dunks, including the exclamation point with 13 seconds left after he blocked a long three-point attempt and chased down the rebound.

"Our team just started clicking," Hekker said.

Bothell won despite 26 points and 17 rebounds by Gig Harbor's Mathias Ward. Geoff McIntosh added 21 points for the Tides (8-9).

The Cougars, who trailed 37-31 early in the second half, got 13 points apiece from Neddy Dirini and Albert Horswill.

Garfield 83, Federal Way 76

Garfield (10-5) recovered from a nine-point halftime deficit to get its second win this season against an SPSL North team. The Bulldogs, who have also beaten Kentridge, scored 48 second-half points.

Four Garfield players scored at least 12, led by 18 each from De'Andre Taylor and Tony Wroten. Aaron Broussard led Federal Way (11-3), which took a 44-35 lead into halftime, with 22 points.

O'Dea 65, Lynden 48

Washington Huskies football recruit Johri Fogerson scored a career-high 23 points for the Irish in a matchup of 2007 state champions (O'Dea in Class 3A, Lynden in 2A). O'Dea also beat the Lions at last year's King Holiday Hoopfest, 53-31.

"As a Husky fan, I'm glad he's going to be a Husky," said Lynden coach Brian Roper of the athletic O'Dea guard.

The Irish (10-4) forced 19 turnovers and got 26 points off them. They also shot 51 percent (24 of 47) and made 14 of 18 free throws.

Lynden (8-4) was led by Brady Bomber's 19 points.

Times staff reporters Sandy Ringer and Tom Wyrwich contributed

to this report.