Kentwood’s Mason St. Louis using a screen from freshman Brandon Tagle. Photos by Ben Ray/The Reporter

Kentwood’s Mason St. Louis using a screen from freshman Brandon Tagle. Photos by Ben Ray/The Reporter

Basketball: Kentwood boys advance with win over Graham-Kapowsin

Conks set with Tahoma Feb. 15

The Kentwood Conquerors boys basketball team took down Graham-Kapowsin on Feb. 11 with a convincing 65-49 win.

“They don’t seem to be fazed by anything… Nothing really bothers them, which is good. No stage is too big for these guys,” Kentwood Coach Blake Solomon said after the win.

Kentwood advances to the next round, but the threat of a loser-out game still remains. For this Conks team, they aren’t planning on going home.

Against Graham-Kapowsin, Kentwood struggled to get going. The Eagles got out to an early seven-point lead, but once Kentwood settled in, the Conks started cooking. By the end of the first quarter, Kentwood led 20-18.

The following quarter, Kentwood continued to play very well, taking a 33-28 point lead into halftime. The Eagles played physical defense, which gave the Conquerors some trouble throughout some stages of the game.

“We had some turnovers, but none that really broke our back. We did a good job of just handling it and settling in. You can watch it on film, until they actually feel them it’s a little different,” Solomon said.

But again, at the start of the second half, Graham-Kapowsin made a run to tie the game and put pressure on the Conks. But again, the Conks dominated the middle and end of the third to lead 52-44.

“Brandon [Tagle] went on a little run just by himself in the third. But that’s what has to happen in the playoffs. You got to be able to execute game plans, you have to have guys make shots, and Brandon did a great job of that,” Solomon said.

A small play in the grand scheme of the game, but a huge personal play, took place in that second half. Sophomore Corey Tita turned the ball over, and then took a charge immediately after granting the Conks the ball back.

This was something that stuck out to Solomon.

“I was really impressed with that play,” he said. “I don’t know if he makes that play last year. He’s gotten so much better everywhere as a basketball player… He puts his teammates first in that regard instead of himself, which is what we talk about all the time.”

In the fourth quarter, Kentwood allowed just five points — one of its best defensive showcases all season.

“We run off of energy.. Seeing how good we played and that energy helps build us up,” said Brandon Tagle.

It was a win Kentwood needed. The Conquerors had not beaten a team with a record over .500 since they took down Skyview on Jan. 14.

Throughout the game, Blake Stempniak defended the tallest player on the floor, and he learned how to take up that role from his coaches.

Kentwood plays Tahoma on the road Feb. 15, and for the Conks, they know it’s going to be a battle: “We have to go fight and see what happens,” Solomon said.

“We’re dangerous. If we get hot, they know they can’t stop us,” Stempniak said.

His teammate echoed the same thing.

“We just gotta keep fighting all the way through,” Tagle said.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

Kentwood’s offense operating in the third quarter. Photos by Ben Ray/The Reporter

Kentwood’s offense operating in the third quarter. Photos by Ben Ray/The Reporter

More in Sports

t
Kent-based T-Birds set win record; clinch top playoff seed

Seattle defeats Kamloops 6-3 for 53rd victory

Armani Albert runs down the sideline with a defender draped all over him.
Boys soccer: Kentwood ties Puyallup on the pitch

Conks’ record now 1-1-1 through first three games.

Kentwood center fielder Jackson Dulay up to bat. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood baseball drops home opener

Trevor Nyhusmoen goes three scoreless innings on the mound.

Kentwood’s starting pitcher Tyler Maurer faces Liberty on March 14. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kent 2023 high school sports spring preview

The 2023 spring sports season is upon us. Here is a preview… Continue reading

Kentridge junior Sydney Esperaza dribbles the ball down the floor. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls sent home with loss to Decatur

The Chargers have a bright future in front of them

Sea Dragon WR Jordan Veasy celebrates and looks at the home fans after he scored the go ahead touchdown Feb. 23. Photos by Ben Ray/Sound Publishing
XFL is back in Seattle – here’s what you need to know

Sea Dragons drop home opener to St. Louis Battlehawks.

Kentridge senior Dorian Thomas goes up for a lay up against Union in the second half. Photos by Ben Ray/The Reporter
Basketball: Kentridge boys hit with early exit at district tournament

Coach Jamison says “I’m done” and set for retirement after 25 years

Kentridge sophomore Tia Schanbeck takes a three in the fourth quarter. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls take out Kentwood on the road

The Charger girls need one win to secure a spot in the state tournament

Sarah Wright is the lone qualifier from Kentwood on the girls side. Photos by Ben Ray/The Reporter
Kent wrestlers have strong showings at regional competition

In local Kent high school wrestling action, Kent-Meridian took second place at… Continue reading

Kentwood's Mason St. Louis using a screen from freshman Brandon Tagle. Photos by Ben Ray/The Reporter
Basketball: Kentwood boys advance with win over Graham-Kapowsin

Conks set with Tahoma Feb. 15