Mixed news headlined the Tues., Feb. 4, evening for the Seattle Christian boys basketball team.
Despite the loss to Cascade Christian the Warriors (9-7, 11-9) stayed in the hunt for Tri-District with the Vashon Island defeat of Charles Wright. Seattle Christian has winner to Tri-District, loser-out game against Port Townsend at Port Townsend at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9.
"I thought we played hard and with passion," said SCS head coach Shaun DeYager. "Things didn't go our way. The difference was that first quarter. They hit big shots early and we had to play from behind. We made a few runs, but couldn't quite get to the lead."
Cascade Christian's smoking guns riddled the Warriors repeatedly in a first quarter demonstration of awesome firepower led by top marksman Jacob Kushman to lead 19-5 before Shawn Abe's three-pointer left the score 19-8 after one quarter.
SCS made an early second quarter run to trail only 19-12 behind the efforts of Shane Pierotti and Shawn Abe, but fell back by margins of up to 11 points before the Warrors shaved the margin to eight twice in the second quarter. Seattle Christian mounted another response to turn a 30-19 deficit into a 30-24 halftime score.
With the big early Cougar advantage, Seattle Christian found themselves expending great energy just to stay in range and make some runs at their opponents.
Trailing 34-26 midway through the third quarter, an 8-4 surge presented the home team with an opportunity close within two points after drawing within 36-32, but after two failed SCS possesions, CCHS rolled off six consecutive points to rebuff the challenge and lead 40-32 going into the third quarter.
Cascade Christian stretched the margin to 14 points twice in the fourth quarter.
Trailing 51-37 with 2:22 left, the Warriors mounted a determined bid to get to 51-44 despite missed CCHS second shot free throws following deliberate fouls by Seattle Christian as the game time ebbed away.
Kushan targeted his shots for 20 Cougar points and also grabbed seven rebounds. Six-foot, 10-inch Shawn Spencer was deadly inside for 18 ponts and 13 rebounds.
For Seattle Christian Cody Gunhus scored 12 points with six rebounds, six assists and four steals while Pierotti notched 12 points and grabbed six boards. Cody Miller added 10 points and Shawn Abe stood out with 13 rebounds.
Cascade Christian was more efficient with its shots (21-for-45 versus 20-for-56) and also had a significant advantage at the free throw line (11-for-22 to 2-for-6) as a result of the Warriors getting little penetration to the basket.
