By Gerardo Bolong
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Clutch performances at crunch time enabled the Seamount League 3A John F. Kennedy Catholic boys basketball team to hold off Seattle Metro League 3A Ballard 54-51 Monday.

After big leads of up to 15 points throughout the game had completely dissipated, the Lancers were embroiled in a 50-50 tie up with the busy Beavers with just more than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Michael Sasonoff pounded the offensive boards for Kennedy one minute later to put the Lancers on top ahead of a Ballard player controlled foul that turned the ball over to KC.

The Beavers had a foul to give and took it with 45.1 seconds left to force another JFK in bounds attempt that resulted in an open lane for Emilio Mancol to drive the left side for a layup and a 54-50 Lancer lead 11 seconds later.

Incredibly, Kennedy was whistled for a foul on a 3-point Ballard attempt with 8.4 seconds on the scoreboard clock.

Prescott Day went to the line with a chance to tie the game, but could only convert the middle of the trio of shots.

With just more than four seconds left, Parker Diller of Kennedy missed the first of a one-and-one free throw situation, giving the Beavers a chance to rebound without getting a final shot off.

From the beginning, Kennedy Catholic's defense and ability to swing the ball quickly on offense paid dividends en route to a pace controlling 17-12 lead going into the second quarter, The Lancers put a real hurt on the Beavers in the second quarter with 3-point goals fueling an 11-point 27-16 lead with 5:27 remaining until halftime before holding a 31-23 difference at the half.

KC turned up the heat in the third quarter for a 45-30 control. Ballard had great problems controlling the ball on offense, although it clawed back to trial only 45-35 heading into the final panel of play.

Parker Diller's free throw kept Kennedy ahead by 10 at 48-38 at the 6:37 mark. Shay Curcuruto's pull up jump shot followed by Day's 3-pointer ignited a Beaver rally that forced a 48-48 draw on Valentin Boyanov's inside basket plus free throw conversion with 3:33 left.

AJ McGrew popped home a JFK field goal that was matched by Day's penetration layup for a 50-50 standoff.

Oberto player of the game Mancol ran for 17 Kennedy points while Diller added 11. Josh Campbell and Day led Ballard at 12 points each.

Auburn Mountainview defeated Kentwood 71-67 in the 1st-2nd place game. Cascade Christian edged Emerald Ridge 44-43 in overtime for fifth and sixth places. Yelm took seventh with a 62-57 win against Cedarcrest in the eight-team tourney.