Gerardo Bolong
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
TACOMA - Resurrection of intensity allowed the SeaTac 2B Seattle Lutheran Saints to turn back a final charge from the SeaTac 1B Evergreen Lutheran Eagles in a non league boys basketball game held on the Eagle home court on Sat., Jan. 26.
After Evergreen Lutheran had dissolved most of what had once been a 12-point Seattle Lutheran lead, the Saints were clinging to a 33-31 margin with 1:22 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Breaking behind the Eagle full court press, Brandon Lick was fouled to set up two free throw conversions 11 seconds later.
EL turned the ball over leading to Lick swhishing a running basket as the Saints increased their distance to 37-31.
Four consecutive Xavius Johnson points for Seattle Lutheran secured the 41-31 victory.
”It’s that time of year,” said Saints head coach Jay Johnson. “Sometimes, you have to grind it out and get wins. Because of our style of play we have been able to win by some large margins. Now, we’re getting back to winning by smaller margins. Some people were in uncomfortable positions tonight. We’re just happy we’ll be playing in February. Our goal is to win and move on. They’re learning how to win in different ways.”
Seattle Lutheran is now 13-4 overall with a league leading 3-0 record. Evergreen Lutheran dropped to 11-7 overall.
The Saints displayed good passing and defensive skills to break out into a 14-6 lead early in the second quarter, but got careless to fall victim to two consecutive steals that capped a seven point Eagle run.
Seattle Lutheran regained the momentum to eventually lead 24-15 at the half and 29-17 with 2:43 left in the third quarter.
Trailing 33-25, EL took its final fling at a win as 5:17 showed in the fourth quarter.
SL missed a few inside shots and turned the ball over in a six-point EL comeback that dialed in the 33-31 score ahead of the last stretch of basketball.
Xavius Johnson scored seven first quarter points and the last four of the game for 11 Saint points. Simon Solomon torched a trio of three-balls as part of his 10 points as Lick closed out with eight.
Grant Werkhoven led Evergreen Lutheran with nine points.
