By Gerardo Bolong

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PUYALLUP - The Seattle Christian Warriors fought like aggressive Tigers before finally falling to the inside power of its opponent in a 54-45 Nisqually 1A League loss to Cascade Christian High School on Fri., Jan. 4.

The Warriors were still within 44-42 after Connor Knack's spin move to the hoop with 1:43 remaining in the fourth quarter.

At this point, the bludgeoning inside tandem of Nathan Larsen and Parker Johnson showed their strength as the main movers in a 10-3 Cascade Christian Cougar scoring surge to victory.

"When we go to Cascade we're going to show up and battle," said SC head coach Micheal Watts. "It's the first time in 10 years that we've played man-to-man defense (exclusively). This means its you versus the other guy. Johns and Larsen were better today. They're bigger than us. Our biggest guy is 6-2. We were shooting better and I'm proud of our guys for showing some good fight."

Throughout the game, the Warriors were unable to keep the ball away from Larsen and Johnson close to the basket.

Six-foot, three-inch Larsen was a terror in the paint, accumulating 27 points. Six-foot- four-inch bruiser Johnson also worked well inside for 16 points while collecting no personal fouls. Connor Zetterberg scored six points, but was a tower of strength in collecting 11 rebounds.

Larsen and Johnson powered the Cougars to the first eight points of the game and a 14-4 control before Alex Clear converted a three-point goal for Seattle Christian to end the first quarter.

Seattle closed within 14-13, but Johnson and Parker took over to forge a 21-13 Cascade lead. Marco Scarsella notched a basket ahead of two Cole McKittrick free throws and SC was closer at 21-17. Knack countered a Larsen inside goal with a three-ball as Seattle Christian trailed 23-20 at halftime.

Playing with heightened enthusiasm, the visiting team stayed within three to five points until Knack angled home a three to get SC within 32-29. Amir Yusuf answered a Cougar goal with a top of the key three-point goal. Johnson scored another short range goal, but a Clear three-pointer plus his short range jump shot sent the Warriors into the fourth quarter in a 37-36 lead.

Three missed field goal attempts and a turnover stalled the SC drive as CCHS regained the lead at 40-37 behind Larsen and Johnson.

Hayden Hochhalter was fouled and converted two free throws for Seattle Christian to make the score 40-39 with just less than five minutes remaining. Several Seattle Christian attempts to get the lead back misfired leading to four consecutive Larsen points. A Knack free throw precede the final drama with action becoming a bit chippie.

Knack closed out with 11 points and Clear added 11 with six assists.