No. 4 Kentridge earned a ticket to next week’s elite eight Class 4A state tournament after rallying to defeat No. 7 Arlington 65-61 in a 4A regional boys basketball game at Kent-Meridian High School on Friday night.
Keasean Kelly had 17 points, Jawan Stepney scored 14 points and Hussayn Ford added 10 points for the Chargers (25-1).
Kentridge secured a second seed in the Hardwood Classic at the Tacoma Dome, and will play its next game Thursday, March 6. The Chargers’ next opponent will be determined in a draw, which will be announced Sunday.
Brady Brummel led Arlington (20-4) with 23 points.
After Brummel’s 3-pointer with 40 seconds left in the game, Ford hit the game-winning shot with 23 seconds left.
Kentridge trailed by six heading into the final period but responded.
The tension down the stretch could be cut with a knife.
“My heart almost stopped every time something happened,” Kelly said.
“It was just an incredible pace,” said Chargers coach Dave Jameson. “Even if we had lost that game, that was a playoff game.”
Students flooded the court when the clock hit zero to celebrate with the team, hoisting players into the air and grabbing photos with the victors.
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