Originally published January 16, 2012 at 9:16 PM | Page modified January 16, 2012 at 11:08 PM
Kentridge boys survive K-M comeback | Valley Medical Showcase
Kentridge survived a career-high 34 points by Mike Banks of Kent-Meridian, which rallied from a 28-4 deficit before falling to the Chargers, 73-69.
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KENT — Kentridge coach Dave Jamison knew it wouldn't be that easy.
Forget the Chargers' 16-0 run at the start of their SPSL North boys basketball showdown with Kent-Meridian in the Valley Medical Center Showcase at the ShoWare Center on Monday. And their 28-4 lead with 1 minute, 51 seconds to play in the first quarter.
"Nice start, huh?" Jamison said after his team's hang-on, 73-69 victory over the Royals. "We knew they'd have some runs in them. They aren't in first place for nothing. I didn't know they'd come all the way back."
Kent-Meridian senior guard Mike Banks did everything he could to give the Royals (10-5 overall, 8-3) at least a shot at their ninth league victory. That would be the most for the school since the 2004-05 season, when the Royals went 14-2 in the SPSL.
After that season, Kent-Meridian went five years without winning more than two league games in any season. Last season, the Royals went 8-8 in the North.
"Last year's team was going in the right direction," Banks said. "But we lost to Gig Harbor (in the playoffs). Ever since that loss, we've been talking state."
Kentridge (9-6, 6-5) led 30-11 after one quarter, 45-33 at halftime and 56-49 after three. Two free throws by K-M's Arman Brar with 2:12 left in the third quarter had tied it, 49-49, for the first time since it was scoreless.
"I think we did a pretty good job after they tied it at 49, going on that 7-0 run," Jamison said. "I was pretty happy with that."
Still, Banks and the Royals kept coming. Banks finished with a career-high 34 points. Among his five three-pointers, three came from more than 25 feet.
But while the Royals got close several more times — at 56-54, 61-58 and 70-67, on a Banks conventional three-point play — Kentridge had the answer.
Other boys games
Kennedy Catholic 61, Clover Park 58
The Lancers (11-2) got 21 points and 23 rebounds from Mitch Penner to beat the top-ranked and defending Class 2A state champion Warriors (10-3).
David Crisp scored 11 of his game-high 25 points for Clover Park in the fourth quarter, but Kennedy made 10 of 15 free throws in the final period to hang on.
Cascade Christian 34, Auburn Mountainview 32
The defending 1A state champion Cougars (7-5) from Puyallup led 29-18 with 6:43 left, but needed two free throws in the final minute to hold off the Lions (10-5). Mountainview's Marion Beauchamp scored with 2:16 left, tying it at 32-32. But J.J. Lacey and Dominic Rockey each made one of two free throws in the final 48 seconds for Cascade Christian.
Benson Tech 65, Mount Rainier 56
The Techmen from Portland finally put Mount Rainier away on Jazz Johnson's three-pointer with 5:59 to play, which extended their lead to 46-35. Benson (10-2) improved to 1-1 against Washington schools after losing last month to Mercer Island. The loss was the fourth in a row for the Rams (9-6).
Kentwood 66, Jefferson (Federal Way) 39
The Conquerors (10-5 overall, 8-3 SPSL North) moved into a first-place tie with Kent-Meridian, taking an early lead against the Raiders (5-9, 3-8). Austin Benson led Kentwood with 15 points and four rebounds.
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