In his most recent 4A Kingco basketball game against Redmond High Dec. 16, Inglemoor High senior guard Benji Bryant didn’t shoot very well.
But he made amends for his lackluster performance at Redmond High from two weeks before by draining the winning shot, a 3-pointer from just beyond the top of the key, as time expired to give his Vikings the 46-44 win over Bothell in the third-fourth-place finals of the Les Schwab/Bellevue Community College Christmas Classic Dec. 30.
In an eight-team field loaded with talent, including the likes of Enumclaw, the tournament champion that defeated fifth-ranked Mount Rainier, 60-57, in the title game, the Vikings and Cougars found themselves playing against each other after both teams won their openers but lost in the semifinals.
In their openers, the Viks breezed to an easy 59-42 win over South Kitsap, and nearly pulled a major upset over Mount Rainier in the semifinals, losing 53-49.
The Cougars beat Kennedy in their opener, 57-47, before getting outmatched by Enumclaw, the ninth-ranked 3A team in the state, 51-29. The Hornets led by just five at the half, but Enumclaw senior guard Taylor Myers scored 15 points in the second half — including three 3-pointers — as his team finished on a 17-3 run.
In the all-Northshore finals, the Vikings jumped out early, leading by five after the first quarter and extending the advantage to 29-23 at halftime. The Cougars started to claw back in the third quarter and managed to tie the game at 44-44 with one possession left on the clock, just enough time for Bryant to deliver in the clutch.
His game-winner gave him a season-high 19 points, followed by Todd Campbell with 10.
The Cougars had three players in double digits. Michael Hartvigson put in 14 and senior guards Kurt Stottlemyer and Devin Willis added 10 apiece.
Cedar Park
As snow created a winter wonderland in downtown Bothell, the Cedar Park Christian boys basketball team united to take on Maple Ridge (B.C.) Dec. 29.
Junior Tommy McCullough delivered 17 points while senior Brandon Duffy added 11 points in the smashing 49-26 victory.
Fortunately, the team had some extra help with 6-foot-4 senior Josh Moore returning from a foot injury as a strong forward. Moore reminisces on his first experience back on the court: “I’m kind of a step behind, but it feels really good to be able to play again.”
The next night, the Eagles battled Seattle Christian to a 59-48 victory. Sophomore center Derek Gutheil had 10 points. Coach Adam Lynch remarks on the team’s success: “We’re not changing as much as emphasizing. We’re concentrating on getting good at the really little details and continuing to improve.”
In Cedar Park girls basketball action, the Eagles competed in the Crush and Slush Tournament in Port Townsend last weekend. The Eagles crushed the Sequim Wolves during the first round on Friday, 49-23.
In his most recent 4A Kingco basketball game against Redmond High Dec. 16, Inglemoor High senior guard Benji Bryant didn’t shoot very well.
But he made amends for his lackluster performance at Redmond High from two weeks before by draining the winning shot, a 3-pointer from just beyond the top of the key, as time expired to give his Vikings the 46-44 win over Bothell in the third-fourth-place finals of the Les Schwab/Bellevue Community College Christmas Classic Dec. 30.
In an eight-team field loaded with talent, including the likes of Enumclaw, the tournament champion that defeated fifth-ranked Mount Rainier, 60-57, in the title game, the Vikings and Cougars found themselves playing against each other after both teams won their openers but lost in the semifinals.
In their openers, the Viks breezed to an easy 59-42 win over South Kitsap, and nearly pulled a major upset over Mount Rainier in the semifinals, losing 53-49.
The Cougars beat Kennedy in their opener, 57-47, before getting outmatched by Enumclaw, the ninth-ranked 3A team in the state, 51-29. The Hornets led by just five at the half, but Enumclaw senior guard Taylor Myers scored 15 points in the second half — including three 3-pointers — as his team finished on a 17-3 run.
In the all-Northshore finals, the Vikings jumped out early, leading by five after the first quarter and extending the advantage to 29-23 at halftime. The Cougars started to claw back in the third quarter and managed to tie the game at 44-44 with one possession left on the clock, just enough time for Bryant to deliver in the clutch.
His game-winner gave him a season-high 19 points, followed by Todd Campbell with 10.
The Cougars had three players in double digits. Michael Hartvigson put in 14 and senior guards Kurt Stottlemyer and Devin Willis added 10 apiece.
Cedar Park
As snow created a winter wonderland in downtown Bothell, the Cedar Park Christian boys basketball team united to take on Maple Ridge (B.C.) Dec. 29.
Junior Tommy McCullough delivered 17 points while senior Brandon Duffy added 11 points in the smashing 49-26 victory.
Fortunately, the team had some extra help with 6-foot-4 senior Josh Moore returning from a foot injury as a strong forward. Moore reminisces on his first experience back on the court: “I’m kind of a step behind, but it feels really good to be able to play again.”
The next night, the Eagles battled Seattle Christian to a 59-48 victory. Sophomore center Derek Gutheil had 10 points. Coach Adam Lynch remarks on the team’s success: “We’re not changing as much as emphasizing. We’re concentrating on getting good at the really little details and continuing to improve.”
In Cedar Park girls basketball action, the Eagles competed in the Crush and Slush Tournament in Port Townsend last weekend. The Eagles crushed the Sequim Wolves during the first round on Friday, 49-23.
