Prep all-state boys basketball: State 3A squad runs past City
DES MOINES — From the first whistle of the WIBCA All-State basketball games, it was obvious that the Class 3A boys were ready to run.
State scored 20 points in the first five minutes, before City had even made four baskets. In the end, State outlasted City 117-111 in a fast-paced, end-to-end duel yesterday at Highline Community College.
Jon Baird, a 6-foot-1 guard from Sedro-Woolley, walked away with the game MVP award after leading all scorers with 28 points. He had 17 in the second half thanks to three three-pointers and solid free-throw shooting.
"In the first half I was struggling, but in the second half I got some looks and it all just started," Baird said.
But he didn't anticipate the pace of the game.
"I was trying to prepare for the game and keep my legs strong," he said. "I knew it was going to be fast, but I didn't know it would be that fast."
After leading 46-43 at the half, State led City for most of the second half despite eight three-pointers from City. Henry Guterson of Bainbridge was 4 for 5 behind the three-point arc and ended the game with 14 points. Mercer Island's Brandon Burmeister added 25 points. He is headed to Washington next fall. Matt Nelson of Skyline, one of the top scorers in Class 3A last season, dropped in 16 for the City squad. He will take his skills to Eastern Washington next fall.
Despite 68 second-half points, City could never close the gap.
"It's tough when you can't get over that hump," said City coach Mike Bethea, who coaches 3A state champion Rainier Beach. "They got out on us and we couldn't keep up."
With three minutes left in the game, City cut the lead to 103-100. But a monster dunk from West Valley-Spokane's Don Deshazer and three quick layups by his teammates widened the gap and ended City's chances at a comeback.
Other games
Class 2A: City 113, State 106 — Nooksack Valley's Kyle Vermeulen, known for his defense during the Pioneers' state-title run in 2003, delivered 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the City team to victory and earn game MVP honors. The City team opened an 18-point, first-half lead but had to hold on. The State team, led by Weston Wood's game-high 22 points, fought back to 102-101. Vermeulen's Nooksack Valley teammate, Jason Heutink, The Times' Class 2A state player of year, drilled a big three-pointer to push City's lead to 105-101. Another Nooksack player, Philip Silves, scored a key basket late when he hit a put-back shot for a 111-106 cushion. Ilwaco's Andy Hudkins added 20 points for the State team.
Class 1A: City 108, State 94 — City went up by 20 points in the second half and never let State into the game. Freeman's Patrick Love led City in scoring with 23 points and Daniel Downs represented Bellevue Christian well with 17. Fellow Bellevue guard John Baranowski added 15 points. Nick Lindseth finished with nine points.
Class B: City 99, State 81 — Jonathan McMillan led all scorers with 25 points for City. After a close first half, the City squad pulled away on sharp shooting by Pe Ell guard McMillan, Lance Den Boer of Sunnyside Christian and Caleb Kurbis of Evergreen Lutheran. Den Boer finished with 17 and Kurbis with 12. Darrington teammates Matt Reece and Bryce Boyd added a combined 10.
Matt Massey contributed to this report.
BOYS ALL-STATE BASKETBALL
At Highline C.C.
CLASS B
| City | 48 51 — 99 |
| State | 40 41 — 81 |
State (81) - Samuel Gipson 14, Chance Landon 12, Eric Bradley 11, Kris VanderKooy 10, Dan Shannon 10, Adam Dirks 9, Nathan Holbrook 7, Travis Welt 4, Kyle Baker 2, Kevin Jordan 2.
CLASS 1A
| City | 50 58 — 108 |
| State | 44 50 — 94 |
State (94) — Narcease Fiander 17, Gabe Aubertin 16, Steve Rivas 16, Keegan Cook 13, Seth Maras 9, Nathan Smith 8, Daniel Sonderland 8, Peter Fry 4, Brandon Gillispie 3, Mac Gebbers.
CLASS 2A
| City | 62 51 — 113 |
| State | 50 56 — 106 |
State (106) - Tim Grun 9, Andy Hudkins 20, Jeff Linehan 12, Nate Alanko 14, Westin Wood 22, Grant Sanders 5, Chris DeVries 14, Will Barnes 2, Garrick Olson 8.
CLASS 3A
| City | 43 68 — 111 |
| State | 46 71 — 117 |
State (117) - Ryan DeLong 14, Jon Baird 28, Rob Will 12, Bradley Addink 11, Blake Baxter 4, Don Deshazer 9, Tim Ireland 9, Michael Jacobs 2, Tyler Milam 10, Toby Seim 18.