Metro League Boys | Seattle Prep beats rival, closes in on division title

Seattle Prep keeps rolling toward the Mountain Division championship in the Metro League.

The ninth-ranked Panthers led wire to wire in beating archrival O'Dea 57-49 Tuesday night to improve to 11-2 in league play and 14-3 overall.

"We're hitting a really good stride right now," said Lehigh-bound senior Jordan Hamilton, who led all scorers with 19 points as Prep won its eighth straight game.

The victory at O'Dea also snapped Prep's four-game losing streak to the Irish. O'Dea, defending state 3A champions, had pulled a 55-54 upset at Prep in December. John Taylor, the senior guard who hit the game-winner that night, was out with a foot injury Tuesday.

"It feels good to come in here and win," said Prep guard Patrick Donnelly, who will play next season at Claremont McKenna College in California.

Prep coach Mike Kelly reminded his players about the importance of a strong start Tuesday, and they responded by jumping to a 10-0 lead.

Prep led 38-20 early in the third quarter but it wouldn't be a Prep-O'Dea game without a comeback. The Irish closed to 44-36 early in the fourth quarter but Prep went on a 10-0 run. Then it was O'Dea's turn with an 11-0 run to cut the lead to 54-47 with 1:37 left. Prep stopped the bleeding, patiently ran time off the clock, and scored three insurance points.

"They just outplayed us," said O'Dea coach Phil Lumpkin. "They shot the ball very well [50 percent, 22 for 44] and you have to give them credit."

O'Dea (12-5, 9-4) was led by 16 points from Johri Fogerson.

Prep and O'Dea have combined to win five of the eight 3A state titles this decade, including the past four — O'Dea in 2004, 2005 and 2007 and Prep in 2006. Prep won in 2000.

O'Dea leads the series between the schools this decade 12-10.

Prep needs to win two of its next three games to clinch the division title. Two of those opponents, Lakeside and Eastside Catholic, have losing records. The division champion avoids a road semifinal playoff game at top-ranked Rainier Beach.

And that, as anyone in Metro will tell you, is well worth avoiding.

Craig Smith: 206-464-8279 or csmith@seattletimes.com