BOYS BASKETBALL: KR topples Foss, takes third at state

The pieces of the puzzle apparently fit.

That proved to be the case Saturday afternoon at the Tacoma Dome – and ultimately all season long – for the Kentridge High boys basketball team.

Behind Gary Bell’s 19 points and 17 from Shaquielle McKissic, Kentridge knocked off Foss, 62-56, to bring home the third-place trophy from the Class 4A state basketball tournament.

Not bad for a team that finished third in its own league, fourth at district and was picked at the beginning of the season to miss the postseason.

The key to the Chargers’ success?

“We had a pretty good summer,” explained Kentridge coach Dave Jamison. “Shaquielle came out and became a really good team player and Laron (Daniels) transferred in … the pieces just fit. The guys played together, they’re good friends and obviously Gary had a phenomenal season … but I had no idea that everyone would elevate their games as much as they did.”

The eighth-ranked Chargers (20-9) simply gutted one out on Saturday against Foss (22-7). In a game that neither team shot particularly well, the Chargers connected when it mattered most.

Leading 50-49 with 1:35 remaining, Kentridge’s McKissic came away with a steal and fed Daniels the ball. Daniels, who was held to just two points in the second and third quarters combined, proceeded to drain a 3-pointer that gave the Chargers just the lift they needed.

McKissic and Bell then combined to hit 5 of 6 free throws in the final minute to seal the victory and third-place trophy.

“They had us sixth in our own league at the beginning of the year,” said Bell, a sophomore guard who blossomed into one of the state’s elite players this season. “Nobody thought we were even going to get to state. I tell you, we stuck together.”

Especially after being knocked off by Federal Way a day earlier in the semifinals.

The loss was something the team used as motivation, McKissic said.

“It was a real disappointment to lose to Federal Way,” said McKissic, who had 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 5 steals to go along with his 14 points. “We just took it, bottled it up and put it out there on the court (against Foss). Everybody was stiff, everybody was tired. We just had to keep going. All the seniors wanted this so bad.”

Bell helped KR take an immediate lead against Foss, scoring on a putback to open the game, then adding a 3-pointer for a 5-0 advantage.

The Falcons, however, remained close throughout, albeit somewhat unconventionally. Kentridge’s defense, specifically that of 6-foot-6 senior Colin Williamson, forced Foss outside the entire first half. The Falcons didn’t score in the paint until 5:42 remained in the second quarter. But the Falcons were able to connect from long range, draining five first-half 3-pointers, helping them go into halftime down by just three, 28-25.

Foss didn’t hit a single field goal in the third quarter, but did connect on 7 of 10 at the line to stay within striking distance at 40-32.

The Chargers, however, were unable to put away the Falcons. That is, until the final two minutes. And, as anticipated, Kentridge did it in typical fashion as everyone on the floor keyed the trophy-clinching win.

Because while Bell and McKissic hit some key free throws down the stretch, Daniels nailed the 3-pointer. Throw in Dylan Zylstra’s big layup with less than 45 seconds remaining and several brick-wall screens from Williamson, and Jamison’s point becomes crystal clear.

The pieces to this Kentridge team just fit.

Kentridge 62, Foss 56

Kentridge 17 11 12 22 — 62

Foss 11 14 7 24 — 56

Kentridge: Gary Bell 17, Shaquielle McKissic 14, Laron Daniels 8, Brendon Westendorf 4, Dylan Zylstra 11, Colin Williamson 11, Sean Ringer 0, Chris Garcia 0, James Innes 0, Craig Rasmussen 0, Leroyce Hill 0, Devin Topps 0.

Foss: Xavier Gibson 0, Jonathan Payne 9, Nate Walker 4, Jamal Byrd 0, Julian Cruell 4, Steven Canty 2, Damari Lewis 3, Jeremy McClain 2, LuQuam Thompson 20, DeAndre Sutton 12.