By Kyle Howard, Photos by Kurt Howard

An SPSL North Division match-up between the two first place teams took place Tuesday night, Jan. 10, when Kent-Meridian visited Mt. Rainier to break the tie. The Kent-Meridian Royals came in seeking revenge against the Rams for their opening game loss on their home court earlier this season. This time Kent Meridian was able to get it done with a 75-73 victory and now they stand alone in first place in the division.

The Royals came out shooting, going three for nine from three-point range, giving them a 21-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. Mt. Rainier quickly bounced back, fighting their way to close the gap with easy shots and three-point shooting. The Rams got five steals and made three of four three pointers, outscoring the Royals 22-15. Mt. Rainer guard Adrian Davis sunk back-to-back three’s at the end of the second quarter, getting the Rams within three at the half with the score of 36-33.

In the third quarter the Rams kept getting close to tying the Royals but just couldn’t catch them. They went shot for shot with great defense by both teams. Once again Adrian Davis of Mt. Rainer took it upon himself at the end by stealing the ball and getting a breakaway layup right as the buzzer sounded, giving the Rams their first lead since the opening minute of the game at 54-53.

The fourth quarter was no disappointment. Several lead changes occurred as both teams battled hard for that first place spot. Mt. Rainier guard Caden Rowland scored back-to-back three’s but was countered by Kent-Meridian's Mike Banks scoring his fourth three pointer of the game. Banks was also fouled on the play, giving him an opportunity for a four point play. After sinking the free throw the Royals then lead 69-68.

In the last minute of the game the Royals pushed their lead to 74-70, and after they got a steal with 15 seconds left the game looked over. With two seconds left Mt. Rainier’s Caden Rowland scored his fourth three pointer from very deep beyond the line, getting them to within one. That would prove to be it as the Rams had to intentionally foul Mike Banks on an inbound play. At the line he made the first free throw then missed the second. On the rebound from the missed free throw the horn sounded, game over. The visiting Kent Meridian Royals won the game against Mt Rainier, 75-73.

Kent Meridian had four players scoring in double digits. Mike Banks was the game high leader with 21 points. Four of his baskets came on three pointers. Adrian Davis led for the Rams with 18 and Caden Rowland came in a close second with 16 points; four of his baskets were three pointers.

Head coach Brian Lockhart said after the game, “We came out with good focus, especially on the defensive end in the first quarter, and then our second team came in making good runs”. He was also pleased with having a great crowd for them but mainly with how his team shot the ball, shooting a very impressive 9-20 or 45 percent from three point range. “We shot a lot better than the first time we played them and we put a lot of emphasis on that. We need to shoot well and hit free throws. That’s what our focus is."

Mt. Rainier's assistant coach Dick Fain was disappointed with the loss. It’s always tough when it comes down to seconds left in the game and losing by just two.

“I think our offense played well," he said. "There were a few times when we didn’t share the ball as well as we needed to. We only had nine assists and all four times we’ve had 10 or less assists this season we’ve lost. Defensively it just wasn’t good enough. We were getting beat off the dribble way too much and they (Kent Meridian) shot the ball very well."

Despite the tough loss coach Fain is still pleased with how the team has played throughout the season. “I like where we are, we need to improve our defense, ball sharing on offense, and, if we do that, I honestly think we can be in the top 10 in state”.