BY GERARD BOLONG

Contributing Writer

KENT - West Seattle held its own much of the way before weariness against an unrelenting foe resulted in a 44-28 boys basketball loss to unbeaten Spokane League powerhouse Gonzaga Prep in a boys basketball game of the 2017 Showare Shootout presented by U.S. Army on Dec. 21, at the Showare Center.

"They (the Bullpups) are a good,  physically tough team that also wears you down mentally with their intensity," said Wildcat head coach Keffrey Fazio.

In the battle of 3A schools, the Wildcats trailed only 17-16 at halftime.

Gonzaga Prep kept the pressure on as West Seattle started to wilt away, but Anthony Giomi's short range jumper still had WS close at 25-21 midway through the third quarter.

Gonzaga Prep took advantage of a tiring Wildcat team to pilfer the ball and pour on a 6-0 run to eventually lead 33-21 going into the final quarter of regulation play.

Two consecutive 3-point goals from the same corner by Giomi brought the Wildcats within 35-28 with 5:49 showing on the clock, but the Bullpups broke back to close out the game on nine consecutive points.

Before the erosion of energy, WS overcame an 8-4 deficit to close out the quarter on eight consecutive points. Gaining control with their trademark deliberate tempo, the Wildcats utilized a Giomi 3-pointer and a Marcus Collins trey sandwiched around a Jackson Golgart lay up.

Gonzaga Prep extended its already tenacious defense, as the Wildcats began to miss short range shots, to earn a 17-12 lead with less than two minutes until halftime. West Seattle clawed back.

Three Giomi free throws and a Golgart charity toss had the battling Wildcats drawing within 17-16 before the second half Bullpup surge.

"We have seven new players this year," concluded Fazio. "The team is improving and has potential. This will be a true process to get them to a higher level. I'm proud of their fight and am excited to see them grow."

Giomi and Golgart led West Seattle with eight and six points, respectively. Elijah Nnanabu scored five points and added five rebounds.

WS shot 9-41 from the field in the second half.

Six-foot, seven-inch Anton Watson led Gonzaga Prep on 21 points and 13 rebounds.

Before the erosion of energy, WS overcame an 8-4 deficit to close out the quarter on eight consecutive points. Gaining control with their trademark deliberate tempo, the Wildcats utilized a Giomi 3-pointer and a Marcus Collins trey sandwiched around a Jackson Golgart lay up.

Gonzaga Prep extended its already tenacious defense, as the Wildcats began to miss short range shots, to earn a 17-12 lead with less than two minutes until halftime. West Seattle clawed back.

Three Giomi free throws and a Golgart charity toss had the battling Wildcats drawing within 17-16 before the second half Bullpup surge.

"We have seven new players this year," concluded Fazio. "The team is improving and has potential. This will be a true process to get them to a higher level. I'm proud of their fight and am excited to see them grow."

Giomi and Golgart led West Seattle with eight and six points, respectively. Elijah Nnanabu scored five points and added five rebounds.

WS shot 9-41 from the field in the second half.

Six-foot, seven-inch Anton Watson led Gonzaga Prep on 21 points and 13 rebounds.