By Gerardo Bolong
Contributing Writer

AUBURN - SPSL 3A Auburn High School scored the first six points in the second overtime to defeat visiting Seamount League 2A Evergreen of White Center 77-67 in a non league season opener, but Wolverine head coach Tony White was more than encouraged by his team's efforts.
"I'm proud of the way our guys kept coming back," he said. "This was quite good for a season opener."
Evergreen worked its way to three six-point leads, the last at 28-22 as the third quarter showed early action.

Suddenly, the Wolverine offense went stagnant and the Trojans turned the tables on them for 15 straight points and a 37-28 lead that grew to 44-33 before AHS settled for a 48-39 lead after three quarters.
"We were playing together, getting the extra pass, rebounding and boxing out," added White. "Then there was too much one-on-one and defensive lapses."

The Trojans continued to lead by nine at 50-41 in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter before Evergreen stormed back.

Amir Muhammad's runner to the hoop was followed by a pull up jump shot by Richard Nguyen and the Wolverines were within 50-49 as 4:25 showed in the fourth quarter.

Auburn built the lead back to 59-51 on a Malik Williams steal and lay in with 1:43 left in regulation.
Then, Evergreen played almost desperately with attacking tactics on defense and offense that turned up the tempo and opened the court for lay ups, short range jumpers and steals.

Joseph Thach's reverse lay up followed by his pair of free throws trimmed the Wolverine disadvantage to 59-58 before Williams cleared himself for an inside basket that was more than matched by Brandon Valencia's corner 3-pointer for a 61-61 stand off as 12.7 seconds remained in the quarter. Auburn missed its field goal chance with 4.2 seconds left in regulation, but Evergreen could not get off a shot before the buzzer beckoned the first overtime.

"We got a little desperate and played a scrambled type of game with lots of hustle," White concluded. "The team started playing good defense and rebounding again. The team needs to show more urgency at the start. We have to play a little helter-skelter because we don't have a big inside presence."
Frenetic action ensued as the team traded scores evenly until Richard Nguyen's running basket forged a tie at 61-all. Valencia stole the ball near mid court with 7.8 seconds left and was fouled with 6.6 seconds on the clock. Valencia's one-and-one opportunity went awry when his first shot hot both rims without going down and the teams joined in battle for the second overtime.

Thach scored 26 points with 13 rebounds while Valencia posted 10 boards and nine rebounds. Muhammad notched 10 points.

Auburn's Pray led a three-headed double figure assault with 24 points. Brown and Chuol recorded 16 and 14 points respectively. Williams added support with nine points.