AUBURN - With their season and the No. 4 seed to the state tournament hanging in the balance, the state seventh-ranked Decatur Gators resorted to sharing tactics to tip the scales in their favor as they powered through the wake of the Gig Harbor Tides, 66-55, in Thursday's loser-out, winner- to-state West Central District Class 4A tournament basketball game at Auburn High School.
State tournament action began today at the Tacoma Dome.
"We played great defense and were determined to win this game," offered Darious Walker who scored 22 points with nine rebounds, four steals and three blocked shots, helping the Gators return to the state tournament. "Our team was sharing the ball, rebounding and giving defensive help inside. Coach told us if the we keep pushing the ball and get a good tempo we would win. I can't wait. Winning state has always been our No. 1 goal."
In opening action, Decatur patiently probed from the perimeter until it could seize the action and unleash its race horses while breaking the back of Gig Harbor.
KJ Hong's three-point basket fired up the Gators (20-6) to a 10-3 run and a 28-13 second quarter control, during which Walker and Jerron Smith were contributing catalysts.
Michael with 16 points and Walker took up the scoring slack left by the team's leading scorer Marcus Tibbs. Tibbs shot 4 of 19 from the field for 13 points, but corralled nine rebounds.
"I was off for awhile, so I passed a lot," stated Tibbs. "Darious, Mike and Cam (Schilling) played good defense. The pressure by Cam on (Mathias) Ward and by Smith on (Geoff) McIntosh was great."
Gig Harbor closed within seven points twice in the third quarter before Decatur mustered its forces to forge leads of up to 16 points.
Although the Tides continually rose to pare down the deficit to single digits, the Gators demonstratively demolished any possible rallies to sail away from Gig Harbor and into the state tournament.
We were trying to attack," explained Hale. "Our team had to keep penetrating and kick the ball out."
It was an appropriate achievement for high expectations.
"I thought we were the best team," proclaimed Decatur head coach Kevin Olson. "Tonight we had tp prove it.. Everyone did well."
In the face of the swarming defense of the Gators, the six-foot, six-inch Ward scored a game-high 29 points and snared 14 rebounds for Gig Harbor.
