Boys basketball / South Puget Sound League

FEDERAL WAY - Decatur dictated the terms but had a little trouble closing the deal against Bethel.

The Gators nearly blew a 20-point lead last night before escaping with a 58-56 victory over the division-leading Braves in a South Puget Sound League boys basketball game at Decatur High School.

Nick Moxley scored 24 points to lead the Gators, who led 52-32 entering the fourth quarter.

But Decatur went cold against Bethel's pressing defense, allowing the Braves to close with a 24-6 run.

Jerrell Everson scored 19 points for Bethel, including a three-pointer at the buzzer. Dwayne Barnes and Corey Belser each added 15 points for the Braves (6-1 SPSL South, 9-4 overall), who suffered their first league loss.

Vergil Brown had 13 points for Decatur (3-4, 4-9).

At Rogers 68, Federal Way 57 - Junior guard Nick Stephens came off the bench for eight points in the second quarter as the Rams opened a seven-point lead at halftime and fended off the Eagles in the South Division game. Isaac Finch scored 14 points to lead Rogers (6-1, 9-4), which caught Bethel in the division standings. Andrew Gard added 13 points, nine assists and three steals, and Stephens and Matt Kazinsky each finished with 12 points. Sergio Soberanis led Federal Way with 19 points, Julius Morrow had 12 and Tui Avaava 11.

Kentwood 65, at Enumclaw 59 - Junior guard Anthony Medina scored 21 points and junior center Mike Jensen scored all 12 of his in the second half to spark the Conquerors to a comeback North Division victory. Josh McLeod added 15 points for Kentwood, which trailed by five at halftime. Kentwood outscored Enumclaw 25-15 in the fourth quarter. Sophomore guard Craig Schweikl led Enumclaw (5-4, 8-5) with 14 points, Tony Binneti and Casey Hanson had 11 each and Kellen Hall added 10.

At Kentlake 64, Auburn Riverside 58 - The Falcons pulled away in the fourth quarter of the North Division game. Nick Emmett led the way with 16 points, and Darnell Brown added 12 for Kentlake (7-2, 8-5), which outscored Riverside 23-16 in the final period. Matt Thompson scored 19 for the Ravens (2-7), and Josh Celigoy got 16.

At Auburn 68, Sumner 55 - Tom Courville scored 24 points, including nine in the third quarter as the Trojans pulled away in the North Division game. The senior point guard added six assists and four steals. He shot 8 for 8 from the free-throw line, 4 for 4 in the fourth quarter when Sumner fouled him intentionally. Mike Torbenson added 14 points for Auburn (4-5 league), and Simon Cruz had 11. Matt Robertson led Sumner (2-7 league) with 21 points. Issac Stocks had 11.

At Kent-Meridian 56, Tahoma 29 - The Royals held the Bears to 25-percent shooting from the field - just nine field goals - in the North Division game. Brian Harris scored 16 points and David Barnett had 12 points and eight rebounds for K-M (7-2, 10-4), which jumped to a 17-4 lead after one quarter. John Munday led Tahoma (2-7 league) with eight points.