TACOMA--Snohomish had a hole in its defense the size of Decatur's Darious Walker in last Wednesday's state Class 4A boys basketball tournament opener.

Walker wound up with a game high 27 points as the Gators won going away, 49-39, in the action at the Tacoma Dome.

"It's just like they (Snohomish) wanted to give him the ball," said Decatur teammate Michael Hale III of Walker.

"We thought they were going to play zone, but they played man-to-man," said Gators head coach Kevin Olson. "When they started pressing, they left Darious open."

Walker made the Panthers pay, shooting 12-for-14 from the field and 3-for-5 from the free throw line.

Walker scored 15 of his points in the fourth quarter, starting with a driving layup with 6:12 left to play that gave the Gators a 31-20 lead.

Decatur went to Walker again at 5:42, and he responded with a slam dunk that made it a 33-22 ballgame.

After Snohomish completed a three-point play with a basket and free throw, Walker struck again on a shot that was less flashy but counted for two points at 5:13 to play.

Snohomish slipped back to within 35-30 at one nervous spot for the Gators with 3:42 to go, but Hale hit both ends of a 1-and-1 free throw opportunity with 3:38 left.

Then Walker was heard from again, scoring three off a Hale assist. Walker hit a shot while drawing a foul that made it 39-30 and he added the free throw to make it a more comfortable 40-30.

Walker struck from underneath to make it 42-30 at 2:56.

Walker's show continued to the end, as he drove for another dunk at 2:33 remaining and hit two free throws on a one-on-one down the stretch.

Hale was next in scoring for the Gators with nine points and Marcus Tibbs added eight. Cam Schilling scored three and Jerron Smith two.

Zach Wild was the leader for the Panthers with 17 points and Brad Shaw scored 13. Clayton Johnson scored seven and Nick Klop two.

Decatur had to defeat another opponent Wednesday - a 9 a.m. start. Players woke up at such times as 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m.

"I talked to coaches who played at 9 a.m.," Olson said. "So we had practiced at 5:45 a.m. Tuesday to get ready for it."

Breakfast was served to the gathering Gators before heading south to the Tacoma Dome.

"We had fruit, rolls, muffins and juice - basic stuff," Olson said.

"It really wasn't that bad," said Walker of rising early. "Now we get extra rest and move up the ladder."

The climb continued Thursday afternoon, as Decatur and Shadle Park of Spokane battled to the end until the Gators dealt the Highlanders a 57-55 state quarterfinal loss.

The two teams were knotted at 55-55 when Zach Humphrey of Shadle Park scored with 2:53 remaining.

Decatur then wore down the clock to 2.3 seconds when Jordan McCloud came through with a tip back into the hoop.

After the officials reset the clock to 1.3 seconds, Hale intercepted a Shadle Park throw-in to end the game - with the Gators running wild in celebration.

"I was breathing hard, and couldn't believe I just did that," said McCloud. "I just had to execute on the rebound."

McCloud did execute, scoring two of his four points on the play.

Hale led the Gators with 20 points as Tibbs totalled 17 and Smith scored 12. Schilling and Walker hit two apiece.

Anthony Brown hit 19 for Shadle Park as Humphrey hit 18 and Sean Andersen 10. Robby Douglas added six and Taylor Pettersen scored two.