By Gerardo Bolong

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Missing open shots and erratic post play doomed the Seattle Christian boys basketball team in a Nisqually 1A League 61-46 home loss to Cascade Christian on Fri., Jan. 10.

"We shot 19 percent (4 of 21) from three-point range," said SC head coach Jasen Baskett. "The teams we play have one or two people who can get a bucket in the post. We don't. There was an inability to throw into the post until late in the game. The guards needed to make three-pointers and driving lay ups. This has been the constant of this team. We create wide open shots and can't make them."

The Cascade Christian Cougars created the charge that would lead to victory in the second quarter.

Holding a tight 13-12 lead, the Cougars attacked for six straight points as part of a 15-5 second quarter to assume a 28-17 halftime lead.

Fouled on a three-point try, Hayden Hochhalter converted all three free throws to draw the Warriors within 28-20 before Cascade Christian brought its lead back into double figures and extended its margin to 46-33 going into the final quarter.

Other than Alex Clear's spin around basket and ensuing free throw play to make the score 49-40 with 5:29 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Warriors continued to trail by double figures, including a trio of 15-point deficits the rest of the way.

Six-foot, four-inch Parker Johnson was a terror inside and outside for Cascade Christian as he scored 24 points with nine rebounds. Conner Zetterberg was deadly for 16 points and 12 boards for CCHS.

Hochhalter contributed 13 Warrior points. Jacob Fors finally got some touches in the post in the last part of the game for 10 points. Clear added nine points.

Seattle Christian now stands at 1-1 league and 7-5 overall. Cascade Christian improved to 1-0 and 5-6, respectively.