Boys Basketball -- `Ugliest Shot' At Midcourt Sinks Highline

RENTON - Lindbergh Coach Pat Leonard called it "the ugliest shot I've ever seen."

Nonetheless, Ryan Deyak's 34-foot, last-second three-pointer gave Lindbergh a 62-59 victory over Highline in a Seamount League boys basketball game last night at Lindbergh.

Actually, the shot, which began with the Eagles (6-3, 6-5) inbounding the ball at midcourt with two seconds left, was more like a heave.

"He shot it from his hip, just like my grandfather would do," Leonard said.

Deyak, a 6-foot-2 junior, scored just six points, but was involved in three key plays in the final 20 seconds. Highline (7-2, 7-4) led 59-57, but Deyak's steal led to a short Josh Kidd jumper to knot the game at 59.

Then, with Deyak defending, a Highline player dribbled the ball on the sideline, setting up Deyak's improbable game-winner.

Kidd finished with 21 points, including eight in the final quarter. Shane Savage sank four three-pointers and scored 16 points while 6-2 senior DeShawn Bell blocked nine shots.

Shawn Epperson led the Pirates with 16 points.

Other games

Renton 58, at Liberty 50 - Liberty led in the fourth quarter in its bid to upset league-leading Renton, but Bakuza Smith scored eight fourth-quarter points and Damien Pattenaude made a key three-point play in the final minute to lift Renton (9-0, 9-2).

Andre Stewart, averaging about 30 points per game for Renton, was held to seven points and attempted only one shot in the first half after getting in foul trouble. Kris Henrikson, who scored 14 for the Patriots (3-6, 3-8), played a box-and-one defense on Stewart. Smith, a 6-5 junior, finished with 18 points and 16 rebounds while Gabe Orndorff led Liberty of Issaquahwith 15 points.

Hazen 70, at Kennedy 62 - The Highlanders (6-3, 7-4) ran to a 44-22 halftime lead as Mark Smith poured in 19 points. Smith finished with 25 points, including six free throws in the fourth quarter. The Lancers (5-4, 7-4) shifted to a 2-2-1 press in the third quarter and went on a 22-7 run, but got no closer than four. An Lieu led Kennedy with 23 points.

Mount Si 58, at Tyee 45 - Seth McBee hit three three-pointers to spark a 15-8 second-quarter advantage for Mount Si (2-7, 2-9). McGee finished with 17 points and Mick Jacobsen 12. Chris Swanigan paced Tyee (1-8, 2-9) with 13 points.

Mount Rainier 47, at Evergreen 39 - Tied 35-35 with four minutes left, Jon Fields took over for the Rams (5-4, 6-6). Fields finished with 18 points while Jason Orth added 11. Mike Denevers had 11 points and six rebounds for Evergreen (1-8, 2-9).

Enumclaw 97, at Franklin Pierce 70 - Paul Felker poured in 28 points, and Brian Scalabrine added 21 as the Hornets (6-3, 6-5) won the Pierce County League game. Enumclaw had 78 points through three quarters. Anthony Blackman led the Cardinals (0-9, 1-10) with 22 points.

North Mason 71, at Tahoma 50 - North Mason (5-4, 7-4) sank 23 of 29 free throws and outscored the Bears 27-15 in the fourth quarter to claim the PCL victory. David Nilssen led Tahoma (3-6, 4-7) with 13 points.

Seattle Christian 66, at Eatonville 44 - The Warriors pulled off a big second-half comeback in the Nisqually League game. Trailing by 15 points in the third quarter, Seattle Christian (6-2, 9-3) outscored the Cruisers 29-5 in the final quarter. A 2-2-1 press was the key, as was Jeff Bukoski, who scored all 14 of his points after halftime. Dontonio Barker added 20 points. Travis Klumpar scored 14 for Eatonville (4-4, 7-5).

At Kentwood 68, Bethel 61 - The Conquerors outscored Bethel 21-7 in the third quarter to capture the nonleague win. Travis Moore scored all five of his points in the quarter. Neil DeMerritt led Kentwood (9-4) with 16 points, and Ryan Brodie had 11 points and seven rebounds. Bryan Streleski scored 25 for Bethel (7-7).