BY GERARDO BOLONG

Contributing Writer

TACOMA -  Bellarmine Prep took control with a big third quarter to end the Kennedy Catholic boys high school basketball season in a 53-48 loser-out game at the 2018 4A West Central/Southwest bi-district tournament on Mon., Feb. 12, at Wilson High School.                                                                     

Kennedy finished the season at 16-8 with great promise for next season as a goodly number of players are eligible to return. No. 4 BP plays another loser-out game on Wed., Feb. 14.

The Lancers passed the ball well for good percentage shots en route to a 12-6 first quarter lead, but the Lions started to exact more defensive stops to trail by only four, 23-19, at the half.

In the third quarter, Charles Elzie led the Lion offense from the outside and the Bellarmine defense continued to clamp down on the Lancer shooters as part of a 21-13 third quarter control and a 40-36 lead that eventually proved to be decisive.

The Lancers kept cutting into the deficit, but solid free throw shooting by the Tacoma- based Lions prevented Kennedy Catholic of Burien from overtaking the relentless Lions.

Ellzie's accuracy paced his game-high 25 point effort. Wendell Davis and Garrett Horner were also in double figures for Prep with 12 and 10, respectively.

Anders Hunt led Kennedy in scoring with 14 while Matthew Macias added 11.

Kennedy was only 2-of-8 from the free throw line while Bellarmine shot 8-of-10.

KC played tough the entire tournament, opening play in a 58-54 upset of No. 3-rated Skyview. Then KC dropped a tense 51-48 loss to Curtis on the way to the Bellarmine game.

Playing at district for Kennedy Catholic were Junior Alexander, AJ Keys, Anders Hunt, Sam Huard, Chancellor Hilliard, Trenton Morrison, Daeshawn Wilson, Jack Patsula, Will Seubert, Michael Spitzer, Adam Olufson and Matthew Macias.

Assisting head coach Don Hoffman were An Lieu, Donnie Moore and Jeff Huling.