High School Sports

KIRKLAND — Brian Lund felt like he had watched this game once before.

"It was like I knew what was coming," the Lake Washington basketball coach said.

For the second time this season, the Kangaroos watched a double-digit lead disappear in the waning minutes of a game against KingCo 3A rival Bellevue. But, for the second time this season, Lake Washington was able to hold on, winning 54-46 on their home floor Friday night.

"We tried to mentally prepare for that, and I guess you can't," Lund said.

The Kangaroos (13-4, 9-2) led by 13 points with 3 minutes, 55 seconds to play after Guy Lynott scored inside and was fouled. But Bellevue went to a full-court press and Lake Washington started to turn the ball over. Timmy Haehl banked in a three and Jackson Rezab knocked down another, helping the Wolverines cut the deficit to six.

But Lynott, who scored 12 points, and Matt Staudacher sealed the win by knocking down free throws in the final minute.

"Same story as last game, they just started hitting big shots," said Staudacher, who scored 11. "We've just got to keep our composure, get fouled and knock down our free throws."

Lake Washington senior center Darien Nelson-Henry was playing on a sore right ankle but scored four of the Kangaroos' seven first-quarter points.

In the second quarter, the Kangaroos focused on feeding Nelson-Henry inside, ending the half on an 11-2 run that gave Lake Washington a 24-16 lead.

"Everything feeds off the big guy," Staudacher said.

Nelson-Henry scored 22 points, helping the Kangaroos move into first place in the league standings.

"This win is huge," Nelson-Henry said. "The top of KingCo is close right now. Mercer Island, Sammamish, us, Bellevue, everybody is right up there."

Haehl led the Wolverines (13-3, 8-2) with 15 points.

"They're a great team," Lund said. "That's the scariest team we've played."

Mason Kelley: 206-464-8277 or mkelley@seattletimes.com