The Decatur Gators took control of the South Puget Sound League South Division Friday night after upending the Puyallup Vikings inside the Gator Dome, 69-64. The victory gave the Gators a one-game lead in the South.
In a game of runs, Decatur had the final run of the night.
The Gators (10-1 in the SPSL South, 13-2 overall) got a huge boost from senior Anthony Williams during the pivotal fourth quarter. The 6-foot-3 forward tallied seven of his career-high 12 points. He also chipped in four steals and hit a free throw with 15.8 seconds remaining to give Decatur a three-point lead.
The Vikings (7-2, 10-3) seemed to be in total control early in the fourth quarter. But the Puyallup bench was hit with a technical foul with the Vikings leading 56-51. Decatur sophomore Jerron Smith converted on both free throws. Williams followed with a lay up and then a Marcus Tibbs three-point play to give the Gators a two-point lead, 58-56. Puyallup never recovered.
Cam Schilling scored a season-high 15 points to go along with nine rebounds. Tibbs finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists and Smith added 13.
Puyallup jumped all over the Gators early in the game. The Vikings tallied the first six points of the game and led 17-13 late in the first quarter. But Williams converted on a fast-break, layup at the end of the first quarter to give Decatur its first lead of the game, 19-17. The Gators continued to pour it on during the second quarter and a Tibbs layup with 3:32 remaining in the first half gave Decatur its biggest lead of the game, 32-21.
The Decatur victory avenges the Gators’ only SPSL South loss of the year. Puyallup beat Decatur on their home court last month. It was the second loss in a row for the Vikings, who lost to Curtis last week.
Federal Way Eagles 57, at Kentridge 47
The Eagles avenged an early-season loss to the Chargers (9-3, 10-6) with a big victory Friday night in Kent. The win, coupled with a Kentwood loss to Kentridge Saturday night, creates a tie atop the North Division between Federal Way and Kentwood. Both are 9-2 in league and split their two regular-season games.
The Eagles (13-2 overall) also took over the top spot in the Class 4A state rankings. Previous No. 1, Garfield, lost two games to Franklin and Foss last week.
Federal Way relied on Cole Dickeson Friday night against Kentridge. The 6-foot-6 junior finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds on 7 of 15 shooting.
But it was the Eagles’ defense that proved to be the difference against the Chargers, who beat Federal Way, 67-66, on Dec. 13. The Eagles played a lot of the game with a box-and-one against Kentridge’s leading scorer, Gary Bell. The defense held Bell, who came into the game averaging 20 points, was limited to just four points on 1-of-8 shooting.
Kentridge led, 11-7, after the first quarter, but the Eagles outscored the Chargers, 18-6, during the second quarter to take a 25-17 lead at the half. Kentridge never really threatened during the second half.
Federal Way’s Michael Hale finished with 11 points and junior George Williams had his best scoring night of the season with 10 points.
The Eagles’ remaining four SPSL North opponents are all currently out of the postseason mix — Jefferson, Kentlake, Kent-Meridian and Tahoma.
at Beamer 81, Spanaway Lake 55
The Titans blew out Spanaway Lake Friday night on their home floor. The win improved Beamer to 6-5 in the SPSL South and into fifth place. The top-five teams from the South advance into the postseason.
Beamer jumped out to a 68-42 lead after three quarters. Senior Kevin Davis led the way for the Titans with 27 points. Sophomore Napa Mefi finished with 15 points and Chase Hildebrandt finished with 14.
Jefferson 49, at Tahoma 46
The Raiders (5-7, 6-8) picked up a much-needed win Friday night in Maple Valley over the winless Bears. Jefferson outscored Tahoma, 18-15, in the fourth quarter. Justin Lanier finished with 11 points for TJ.
