Inglemoor wins repeat matchup against Bothell at Bellevue College tourney / Boys basketball

It wasn’t quite as dramatic as last year, when Inglemoor High senior guard Benji Bryant drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to edge Bothell High, 46-44, in the third/fourth-place finals at Bellevue College’s annual Christmas Classic. But the outcome was the same this year as the Vikings emerged victorious, 57-51, last week.

By Tim Watanabe • January 4, 2010 5:11 pm

It wasn’t quite as dramatic as last year, when Inglemoor High senior guard Benji Bryant drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to edge Bothell High, 46-44, in the third/fourth-place finals at Bellevue College’s annual Christmas Classic. But the outcome was the same this year as the Vikings emerged victorious, 57-51, last week.

Junior point guard Andy Nwaelele scored a season-high 25 for the Vikings, who ended the third quarter with a slim one-point lead, but an excellent defensive effort held the Cougars to just seven in the final period as Inglemoor broke away.

Big man Michael Hartvigson and guard Kyle McAllister led Bothell with 18 points each.

In earlier games, the 4A Vikings crushed South Kitsap, 58-38, before losing to eventual champion Bellevue, ranked No. 3 in 3A, 47-36.

The 4A Cougars (2-2, 4-4) took care of Monroe, 42-32, before being overwhelmed by 2A Squalicum, 70-41, in the semifinals.

“We played good competition … and having to play three games in three days helps you get ready for playoff situations,” said Inglemoor head coach Greg Lowell on the benefits of playing holiday tournaments. “It gives you something competitive to practice for over the two weeks to get ready for conference play.”

The young and tall Vikings, who are one of the league’s frontrunners early on at 3-1 in league play (6-2 overall), have shone at both ends of the court this year.

“I am most pleased with our defense this season, how the kids have really bought into team defense in half court,” Lowell said. “They work hard at practice and it carries over to game night, and the kids really get along well and have good chemistry.”

With no rest for the weary after playing a grueling tournament, Lowell’s team has to face two of 4A Kingco’s top programs in Garfield (5-2) and Woodinville (6-2) as the Vikings’ 2010 schedule gets under way.

“(Our) mindset going back to conference play is to keep improving and take one game at a time,” said the 22-year coach, adding that his team has been gaining confidence and improving offensively every game.

“There are a lot of good clubs in our league.”